How to Write a Teaching Assistant CV: Step-by-Step Guide

The education system shapes future generations and offers excellent job security and personal development opportunities. As a teaching assistant (TA), you must demonstrate various skills, from classroom management to supporting students with special needs. Knowing how to write a good CV for a TA job is the first essential step for standing out and impressing recruiters.

Whether you’re a school leaver applying for a teaching role with no experience or a skilled TA looking to advance your career, this guide will help you build a modern CV. Start with an optimised CV for application tracking systems (ATS) to increase your chances of being selected and shortlisted for a job interview.

In this article, we cover:

• Teaching assistant CV examples to help you understand what recruiters expect.

• How to tailor your CV with relevant teaching assistant skills.

• Tips for creating a teaching assistant personal statement.

• Insights on how to present work experience and education.

• Additional sections and insights to enhance your CV’s impact.

Customise this CV to boost your job search

Start now

Creating a CV is made easy with CVMaker's user-friendly tools and a professional CV template.

Teaching assistant CV example

This teaching assistant CV example highlights Isabella Bennett’s experience in classroom management, SEN support, and resource coordination. Her teaching assistant personal statement emphasises her dedication to inclusive learning, and her Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning showcases her commitment to career progression. This Harvard CV format effectively presents her teaching assistant duties and skills using a clean, ATS-friendly design to attract recruiters.

Explore our related teaching assistant cover letter example to boost your job application.

What to include in a teaching assistant CV? 

To create an impactful teaching assistant CV, include these essential sections:

• Personal details: include your full name, address, phone number, and professional email address.

• Personal profile: a brief statement showcasing your teaching assistant skills, experience, and career aspirations.

• Work experience: list relevant roles chronologically, focusing on your teaching and classroom support experience.

• Skills: highlight hard and soft skills tailored for a teaching environment, such as classroom management and communication.

• Education: include your highest qualifications, relevant certifications, or training courses, such as those for a nursery assistant or apprenticeship.

For more guidance, refer to our master CV on improving your writing process and organising these sections effectively. 

Explore similar examples like a nanny, caregiver, social worker, and support worker relevant to providing a caring and supportive workplace.

How to write a CV for a teaching assistant with no experience

Writing a CV for a teaching assistant with no experience in the UK may seem daunting, especially if you are unemployed. Still, you can impress employers! 

1. Start by emphasising transferable skills like attention to detail, organisational, and communication.

2. Look into working with children or tutoring English as a Second Language (ESL) students in an educational setting to enhance your CV.

3. Focus on volunteer roles and using transferable achievements from school to highlight relevant qualities and teaching skills. 

4. Gain practical experience through student jobs or internships to g. For example, sectors in customer service, childcare, tutoring, or retail often involve communication, teamwork, and organisational skills - all highly relevant to a TA role. 

5. Consider pursuing online courses, a Teaching Assistant Course qualification or finding part-time work as a learning support assistant. 

For more advice on writing a CV with no experience, read our latest career tips for school leavers. You may also find our guides on short cover letters and how to send your CV via email helpful as you begin your job search.

Are you an international student look for a new job opportunities? Read out guide to get to know more about the UK job market.

How to write a teaching assistant CV: 5 steps with examples 

1. How to add teaching assistant skills on a CV 

For a TA role, it’s essential to list skills on your CV to attract recruiters and demonstrate key competencies for handling diverse responsibilities. Include technical (hard skills) like classroom management, behavioural support, and special educational needs (SEN) assistance. 

You must also showcase top soft skills such as communication, patience and listening skills when supporting children, university students or other teachers in a classroom or online setting. 

5 essential skills for a TA:

1. Communication: conveying information, instructions, and feedback to students and staff, fostering a supportive learning environment.

2. Classroom management: ensuring a productive and orderly classroom by effectively managing behaviour, time, and resources.

3. Empathy: understanding and supporting students’ emotional and educational needs, particularly those facing challenges.

4. Teamwork: collaborating with teachers, parents, and other staff to deliver cohesive education plans and ensure student success.

5. Adaptability: flexibly adjusting teaching methods, materials, or classroom approaches to meet diverse student needs, including Special Education Needs (SEN) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners.

Take a look at our guide on the most in-demand skills for 2025 to help elevate your job search!

2. How to write a personal profile for a teaching assistant CV

Your personal profile is the opening section of your CV and an opportunity to showcase your dedication to education and supporting students in an academic environment. Highlight your teaching skills, student support experience, and ability to collaborate with colleagues.

Reflect on the job description and highlight essential qualities and strengths like problem-solving, adaptability, and communication.

Example:

“Strong communicator with a proven ability to build relationships with students, parents, and staff.”

If you have just changed careers (for example, a librarian, nursery assistant, or sports coach), include transferable skills such as organisation, leadership, and resilience.

Example:

“Transitioning from a career in customer service, bringing exceptional problem-solving and teamwork abilities to support a positive learning environment.”

Examples of teaching assistant CV personal profiles

Refer to the graduate CV example for more tips.

For more examples and tips, explore how to write a personal profile on a CV.

Elevate your job application with a professional CV

Start now

3. How to include practical work experience

Your work experience section is a crucial part of your teaching assistant CV. It demonstrates how your skills and previous roles prepare you for the demands of supporting students and teachers. 

Tailor your work experience to each role using strong action verbs relevant to the job description and highlight measurable results. Use numbers, percentages, or benchmarks to showcase impact; for example, "managed group activities for 10 students, improving teamwork and engagement by 40%.”

Include dynamic verbs like ‘facilitated, adapted, enhanced, collaborated, and implemented’ to describe your contributions. Use a chronological order to place the most recent and relevant roles at the top for maximum impact.

Teaching assistant CV work experience example with little to no experience

Volunteer Classroom Assistant | Willow Primary School, Bristol | 2023 - 2024

Supported classroom activities and provided individual assistance to students during group work. Collaborated with the class teacher to prepare resources and manage behaviour effectively. Engaged with students during lessons and extracurricular activities to build rapport and support learning outcomes.

• Helped improve classroom participation by 20% through one-on-one student engagement.

• Organised and maintained lesson materials, saving the teacher 5 hours of preparation time weekly.

Teaching assistant CV work experience examples

SEN TA | Greenfield Academy, Liverpool | 2021 - present

Provides individualised support to students with special educational needs, adapting lesson plans to meet diverse learning needs. Works collaboratively with parents, teachers, and specialists to ensure cohesive educational support. Demonstrates excellent behavioural management skills, helping to foster an inclusive learning environment.

• Introduced visual aids and interactive learning tools that improved engagement among SEN students by 30%.

• Successfully implemented a reward-based system to reduce disruptive behaviour by 15%.

Learning Support Assistant | Riverdale Secondary School, London | 2019 - 2022

Collaborated with teachers to implement group activities, lesson plans, and individual learning strategies tailored to students needing additional academic or behavioural support. Focused on creating an inclusive environment for EAL (English as an Additional Language) students, supporting their language development and confidence in mainstream classrooms. 

• Designed and managed a peer tutoring program, increasing EAL language proficiency by 25%.

• Reduced assignment delays by 40% through structured, personalised support sessions and progress tracking.

Level 1 TA | Little Cubs Nursery, Manchester | 2017 - 2020

Supported the lead teacher by organising and supervising play-based activities that fostered literacy, numeracy, and social development for children aged 3-5. Managed classroom behaviour using positive reinforcement techniques and monitored progress through regular observation and documentation. Contributed to lesson preparation by creating engaging materials tailored to young learners.

• Introduced a phonics-based storytelling program that improved early reading skills by 20%.

• Organised a creative arts event that increased parent engagement by 35%, promoting more vital home-school collaboration.

4. How to include education on a teacher assistant CV

For entry-level roles such as newly qualified teachers (NQT) or TAs in the UK, including an education section is beneficial. List qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. 

To apply for apprenticeships, the minimum requirement is typically GCSEs in English and Maths. However, some positions may accept alternative qualifications or relevant work experience, especially for roles like Teaching Assistant Level 2 or KS2. If you're still a student, highlight relevant coursework or write "in progress" for ongoing qualifications.

How to format education without a degree:

• GCSEs: Windham College, 2017 - 2022, 8 passes, including English, French and Mathematics

Education examples

• Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching, University of Leeds, 2022

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Department for Education, 2023

• Certificate in Supporting Students with Special Educational Needs, University of Manchester, 2024.

For more information on job requirements for TA roles, visit the National Careers Service.

5. How to add additional relevant information 

You can enhance your application for a TA by including an additional experience to showcase hobbies and interests. Prove your commitment to working with children and developing professional skills relevant to your target job, like languages to assist ESL learners or using art to educate students.

If applicable, add references to this section to leverage your CV to potential employers and add credibility to your application.

How to include courses and certifications in a teaching assistant CV

Highlight relevant courses and certificates on your CV that support your qualifications. Completing courses like SEN training or classroom management can equip you with specialised skills.

Examples:

• Certificate in the Principles of Special Educational Needs, South Devon College, 2020\ Key Learnings: Gained insights into strategies for supporting children with SEN, including behaviour management techniques.

• TEFL Certification, Global Language Academy, Online, 2021\ Key Learnings: Developed skills for teaching English as a second language, enhancing classroom communication for EAL students.

How to list any volunteering experience

On your volunteer teaching assistant CV include volunteer work that has helped you gain teaching experience or transferable skills like communication, cultural sensitivity and teamwork, such as working in the community or for charities as a fundraiser or retail cashier. 

Examples:

• Volunteer Cashier, British Heart Foundation, Manchester, 2021 - 2022

• Volunteer TA, ABC Primary School, Birmingham 2022 - 2023

  Assisted in classroom activities for Year 4 students, focusing on literacy and numeracy support.

  Engaged with small groups to improve language proficiency, resulting in measurable progress.

In need of more inspiration? Here are 10 easy steps to improve your CV.

Dos and don’ts for teaching assistant CV

Dos:

1. Be job-specific: customise your CV using relevant examples in our teaching assistant CV sample.

2. Showcase transferable skills: highlight soft skills, even from non-educational roles like customer service.

3. Volunteer: demonstrate your commitment to learning, even unpaid work, such as helping in after-school programs or for charities.

Don’ts:

1. Ad too much information: exclude unrelated jobs unless they provide transferable skills applicable to teaching.

2. Skip details: avoid vague descriptions; provide specific examples and show results.

3. Ignore formatting: steer clear of cluttered layouts—keep your CV clear, concise, and professional.

Key takeaways 

Becoming a TA is in-demand and a rewarding job to pursue. When applying for jobs, customise your CV for each TA role and align it with the employer's requirements. Highlight measurable achievements and relevant keywords in your work experience and education sections. Always opt for a clear, professional design with the best CV fonts and colours for your CV to increase your job prospects.  If you need help creating a CV for a teaching assistant job, customise the above teaching assistant CV example to your career goals.

Next steps?

If you're looking to perfect your CV for a (TA) role or starting from scratch, our comprehensive CV Writing Service can guide you through every step. With our intuitive CV Builder, you can select from over 20 professional CV templates and cover letter examples to help you stand out. Additionally, for tips on boosting confidence for job interviews or even how to write a CV for your first job, be sure to check out our career blog for more trending topics.

FAQ 

Are TAs in demand in the UK? 

Yes, TAs are one of the top in-demand jobs in the UK, especially for supporting SEN and ESL students and addressing school staff shortages. 

How much do TAs get paid in the UK?

TA salaries in the UK typically range from £14,000 to £25,000 annually, depending on experience and location. 

What are the key responsibilities of a TA? 

TAs support classroom learning, manage student behaviour, assist with lesson preparation, and provide one-on-one support, especially for SEN students.

Can a TA get sponsorship in the UK? 

Yes, TAs can get sponsorship in specific circumstances, such as through schools offering Tier 2 visas for hard-to-fill roles. Learn more about recruiting teachers overseas. 

How to become a TA in the UK?

To become a TA, you typically need GCSEs in English and Maths. Additional qualifications or experience in child support is beneficial.