How many hours do teaching assistants work? That’s a great question! It’s not like a normal office job that’s always 9-to-5. A TA’s hours match the school day, which is pretty awesome. This indicates that your typical workday consists of 8:30 in the morning to 3:30 in the afternoon. That equals approximately 32 to 35 hours per week.
And here is the interesting part! You only work when the kids are in school. Imagine your school year. You get a long summer break, a winter break, and a spring break, right? Well, TAs get all those amazing holidays off too! Because you work fewer weeks, your total pay for the year might seem a little low. But don’t worry, we’ll explain that more.
What Does a Teaching Assistant Do Each Day?
A TA’s day is always busy and full of fun, important tasks. You’re never bored! You are the teacher’s most trusted helper and a real hero to the students. Here are some of the things you’ll be doing:
- Be the Teacher’s Right-Hand Person: You help the teacher during lessons, hand out worksheets, and make sure the day runs smoothly for everyone in the classroom.
- Help Students One-on-One: This is a super special part of the job. You might sit with a student who needs a little extra help with their reading. Seeing their face light up when they read a new word is the best feeling!
- Work with Small Groups: You might take a small group of three or four kids to a table to play a fun maths game or work on a science project together.
- Get Creative: You will help get art supplies ready for fun projects. You also get to make the classroom look amazing by changing the wall displays with new art and learning posters.
- Supervise Fun Times: You’ll watch over the kids during their break and lunch times. You make sure everyone is safe, happy, and playing nicely.
- Be a Helpful Observer: You might write little notes for the teacher, like “Sarah did a great job sharing today! ” This helps the teacher know how every student is doing.
How Many Hours Do Teaching Assistants Work?
Let’s look at the hours again, but in a little more detail. While most TAs work a full school week, there are different kinds of roles with different hours. The number of hours a TA works really depends on the school’s needs.
A Quick Look at Different TA Hours
The table below shows some common examples. This helps you see how varied the job can be.
It’s also good to remember that you might be at the school a little longer than your official hours. This is just for a few minutes of setting up in the morning and tidying up at the end of the day.
Do Teaching Assistants Work Full-Time or Part-Time?
This is a great question! The answer is, it can be both! Which makes the job super flexible.
- “Full-Time” in a School: Many TAs work what a school calls “full-time”. This just means you are there for the whole school day, every day of the week. This is usually the 30 to 35-hour schedule we talked about.
- “Part-Time” Offers Flexibility: Lots of TA jobs are part-time. This is perfect if you can’t work a full week. For example, a part-time job might mean you only work in the mornings, from 8:45 am until 12:15 pm. Or, you might only work on certain days, like Mondays. Wednesdays and Fridays. These jobs are often created when a school gets special funding to help one particular student.
What Are Typical School Day Hours for Teaching Assistants?
Let’s walk through a day in the life of a TA! It helps you really picture what your hours will look and feel like.
- 8:30 am: You arrive at a quiet school. You have time to hang up your coat, chat with the teacher, and get the classroom ready for the day.
- 9:00 am: The bell rings and the kids arrive! The day begins, and you are busy helping with lessons and supporting students.
- 12:00 pm: Lunchtime! You help the kids get ready for their break. Then, you get your own 30 to 45-minute break to eat and relax.
- 3:00 pm: The final bell rings! You help the kids pack their bags and wave goodbye as they head home.
- 3:30 pm: You stay for a little while to help tidy up. Then, your work is done, and you can head home for the evening.
Do Teaching Assistants Work During School Holidays?
NO, you usually don’t! This is one of the biggest and best perks of being a TA.
Your work contract is “term-time only”, which means your work is tied to the school calendar. When the school closes for a holiday, your work stops too! This gives you an amazing work-life balance. But don’t worry about getting paid. Most schools take all the money you earn for the year and spread it out over 12 equal pay cheques. This means you still get paid every month, even in the middle of the summer holidays!
Curious about what it’s really like day-to-day and whether the role can be stressful? Check out our guide on Is a TA Job Stressful? to get the full picture and tips for managing the workload with ease.
How Do Term-Time Only Contracts Affect Working Hours?
This sounds complicated, but it’s really simple. A “term-time only” contract just means you work fewer weeks a year than someone in a normal office job.
- Fewer Weeks = Lower Yearly Pay: Because you work about 39 weeks instead of 52 weeks, your total pay for the whole year will be lower.
- It’s Called “Pro-Rata”: This is a fancy word that just means you get paid for the part of the year you actually work. It’s important to remember this when you see a job advertisement so you understand what the yearly salary really means.
Do Teaching Assistants Work Extra Hours for Meetings or Training?
Yes, sometimes you do, but it’s not a lot, and it’s always planned ahead of time.
You will often get to go to “teacher training days” (also called INSET days). These are great days where you get to learn new skills to become an even better TA. You might learn about first aid or new ways to help students with special needs. These hours are almost always included as part of your paid contract, so there are no surprises.
Can Teaching Assistants Choose Flexible Hours?
Yes! This is another amazing benefit of being a TA. The job can be very flexible, especially if you are in a part-time role.
Because schools sometimes need help for just a few hours a day, you can often find a job that fits your life perfectly. This is why being a TA is one of the best jobs for parents! The hours often match your own children’s school day. You can drop your kids off, go to your TA job, and finish in time to pick them up. It’s a perfect fit for family life.
How Do Teaching Assistant Hours Compare to Teacher Hours?
This is a very important comparison. It helps explain why the pay and responsibilities are different. How long do teaching assistants work versus teachers? Think of it like this:
A teacher’s job is like an iceberg. You only see the small part that is above the water—the time they spend in the classroom. But underneath the water, there is a massive, hidden part of the iceberg.
This is all the work teachers do at home.
- Teacher’s Hidden Hours: In the evenings, teachers are busy planning lessons. They are marking 30 maths books or 30 English essays. On weekends, they are writing school reports or preparing for the week ahead. Their work almost never stops.
- TA’s Work-Life Balance: Now, think about a TA. When you leave school at 3:30 pm, your work is done. Most teaching assistants work 30 to 35 hours a week during school hours, with all holidays off. Your day starts just before pupils arrive and ends soon after. You can go home and switch off — no marking, no planning. That’s why it’s a rewarding, family-friendly career. Your evenings and weekends are your own. This amazing work-life balance is a huge reason why people love being a TA.
Final Thoughts: Understanding How Many Hours do Teaching Assistants Work in the UK
So, let’s wrap up our main question. How many hours do teaching assistants work? Most teaching assistants work 30 to 35 hours a week, during school hours only, and enjoy all the school holidays off. Your day starts just before pupils arrive and finishes soon after they leave, making the hours predictable, reliable, and family-friendly.
If you want a rewarding career with a routine that fits your life, becoming a teaching assistant is a smart choice. Get started now with the Teaching Assistant course at the Unified Course and kickstart your career today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How many hours is full-time for a teaching assistant?
- Full-time TAs usually work 30–35 hours a week, term-time only, during school hours.
2. How many hours does a TA work?
- Most TAs work around 30–35 hours weekly, though some 1:1 or EYFS roles may be 25–30 hours.
3. How many hours a week is being a TA?
- Typically 30–35 hours, spread over school days with holidays off.
4. Is being a TA a stressful job?
- It can be, depending on the school, class size, and pupils’ needs. 1:1 or SEND support Roles can be more demanding, but school hours are predictable, which helps manage stress.
5. How much is a TA paid per hour?
- Hourly pay varies by region and experience, roughly £10–£15 per hour in the UK. Term-time contracts mean annual pay is pro-rated.
6. What is the 70:30 rule in teaching?
- A guideline suggests 70% of learning should be active and student-led, with 30% teacher instruction, to balance engagement and guidance.
7. Do TAs get paid for lunch?
- Usually not. Most TAs have an unpaid lunch break unless the contract specifies otherwise.
8. What is the 10-minute rule in teaching?
- Refers to allowing a 10-minute settling or transition period before lessons start or after breaks, helping pupils focus and manage routines.
9. What are the 5 C’s of teaching?
- Clarity, Consistency, Confidence, Creativity, Communication — key principles for effective teaching.
10. What are the disadvantages of TTT?
- “TTT” means Teacher Talking Time. High TTT can reduce pupil engagement, limit active learning, and make lessons less interactive.
11. What are the 4 B’s classroom rules?
- Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Ready — a simple behaviour framework for classrooms.
