Teaching Assistant CV Example

A good teaching assistant CV example has to balance two things schools look for at once: genuine warmth and patience with children, and practical classroom competence — behaviour strategies, SEN awareness, safeguarding knowledge. The teaching assistant CV example below is written for a primary school setting, but the same structure applies equally well to secondary or SEN-specific teaching assistant roles.

Below you'll find the full sample CV, a free editable template, and a detailed guide to writing your own teaching assistant CV that stands out to busy school recruiters.

Teaching Assistant CV Example: Full Sample

How to Write a Teaching Assistant CV

Schools read a huge volume of teaching assistant applications for every vacancy, particularly in popular catchment areas. A teaching assistant CV that stands out does so by showing specific, demonstrable classroom experience rather than general statements about "loving working with children."

Open with classroom-specific experience, not generic enthusiasm

Every teaching assistant applicant says they're patient and enjoy working with children. What sets a strong personal statement apart is naming the key stage you've worked with, the type of support you've given (one-to-one, small group, whole class), and one genuine area of focus, such as SEN support or behaviour management. Specificity here does more work than enthusiasm alone.

Name SEN, EHCP and safeguarding experience explicitly

A growing proportion of teaching assistant roles involve supporting pupils with additional needs, often under an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). If you have this experience, state it directly rather than folding it into a general description of "supporting pupils." Schools specifically look for this on a teaching assistant CV, since SEN support is frequently a core part of the role rather than an occasional task.

Include volunteer and placement experience where relevant

Many strong teaching assistant candidates are early in their careers, and volunteer classroom experience, school placements, or even supporting siblings' or your own children's learning can be genuinely relevant. Schools understand that teaching assistant roles don't always follow a traditional career path, so don't leave out experience just because it was unpaid.

List safeguarding and DBS information clearly

Safeguarding training (commonly Level 1 or equivalent) and an enhanced DBS check are expected on virtually every teaching assistant CV submitted to a UK school. Stating these clearly, rather than assuming they're implied, shows you understand what matters in a school environment.

Common Mistakes to Avoid on a Teaching Assistant CV

• Being too vague about the age group or key stage. "Worked with children" says very little; "supported Key Stage 1 pupils in literacy and numeracy" says a great deal more.
• Omitting behaviour management experience. Even a brief mention of strategies used (positive reinforcement, clear routines, de-escalation) reassures schools you can handle a real classroom, not just a calm one-to-one setting.
• Leaving out references to working with the class teacher. Teaching assistants work under direction; showing you can take guidance and adapt resources accordingly matters to schools.
• Forgetting to tailor for primary vs. secondary. The tone and focus of a teaching assistant CV for a primary school differs from a secondary school SEN support role — adjust your examples accordingly.

Teaching Assistant CV FAQs

Do I need a formal qualification to apply as a teaching assistant?

Not always for entry-level or volunteer-to-paid roles, though a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools is commonly preferred and sometimes required, particularly for roles involving SEN or EHCP support.

How long should a teaching assistant CV be?

One page is usually sufficient for most teaching assistant applicants, especially earlier in their career. Two pages is acceptable if you have several years of relevant classroom experience across different schools or key stages.

Should I mention my own children or family experience with children?

If you don't yet have paid or volunteer classroom experience, relevant family experience (for example, supporting a child with additional needs) can be worth a brief mention in your personal statement, but should be balanced with any formal training or qualifications you hold.

Why This Teaching Assistant CV Example Works

• SEN and EHCP experience is stated specifically — many TA roles now involve supporting pupils with additional needs, so naming this directly matters to schools.
• Volunteer experience is included, which is common and valuable for TA applicants who are early in their career.
• Safeguarding training is listed clearly — schools expect to see this on every applicant's CV.

See a matching teaching assistant cover letter example to pair with this CV.

Where to Find Teaching Assistant Jobs

• Get Into Teaching (Department for Education) — official guidance on teaching and teaching assistant roles in England.
• Indeed UK — search live teaching assistant vacancies by location.
• GOV.UK Find a Job — the UK government's official job search service.