The Reality of Being a Teaching Assistant: Balancing SEND, Behaviour and Support in Primary Schools

In this blog, you will learn:

• About the active and crucial role of Teaching Assistants in the classroom.
• How a Teaching Assistant in a mainstream school balances the reality of planning, managing pupil behaviour and supporting Teachers.
• How to find and apply for the best Teaching Assistant jobs.

Teaching Assistants play a vital role in every classroom, from supporting Teachers and guiding pupils to ensuring inclusivity. Teaching Assistants might not be the most senior voices in the room, but they are experts in their field, expected to manage pupil behaviour, provide tailored support and balance SEND responsibilities.

According to the Pearson School Report, when asked the top challenges Teachers expect their schools to manage in the next 12 months, 51% said supporting pupils with SEND. This has continued to see year-on-year increases and concern over supporting pupils with SEND ranked second for primary schools (65%).

We recently spoke with a Teaching Assistant who works in a mainstream primary school to discover the ongoing challenge of true inclusion in today’s classroom and the reality of balancing one-to-one support and inconsistent planning.

What does your role as a Teaching Assistant consist of?

My role is currently varied following my return to work from maternity leave. I am assigned on a one-to-one basis with a child who works mainly outside of the classroom. As space is limited, we usually work in the staff room. We work alone predominantly, apart from one day when I have responsibilities for two other children.

Despite planning and activities for children that require additional or one-to-one support being provided, at times it is very basic and can be completed by the child within 20 minutes. I often have to improvise or find additional work for him to complete. He also often refuses to complete work, so I have to de-escalate his anger and frustration.

I run garden play sessions, which require me to think on my feet to engage pupils and encourage them to interact with each other. These sessions are a great way to get children outdoors and exploring the environment, especially for pupils with SEND who benefit greatly from the sensory experiences nature provides.

In the afternoon, I might be covering lessons, which requires me to use my leadership skills, or I could be working with a group or even one-to-one, so I need to adapt my skills to cater for different needs.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I get up at 6.30am and get my three children ready for the day with the help and support of my husband. I drive to work and set up my own child's workstation and work.

Two mornings a week, I take my children to school at 8.45am by car, one to their high school and the other to their primary school.

At school, I work one-to-one with a child until 12pm and then I have my lunch from 12.00pm until 12.30pm. This is followed by garden play with some of our severely autistic children until 1pm. From 1pm until 3.15pm, I work in different classes and potentially cover classes too.

From 3.15pm onwards, I cover 2 SATs booster sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The rest of the week, I often stay until at least 3.45pm to do display work. Two days a week I stay until 4.30pm to run after-school SATs booster clubs.

When I get home, I look after my 3 children and might visit my mum for a brew and go shopping. I also prepare dinner, bathe the baby and put each of my children to bed before I also go to bed.

How do you keep up to date with changes in the education and SEND industry?

In all honesty, I rely on information and insights from Teachers and SENCOs. This is something I am working on in terms of a target set in my appraisal. I know how important it is to stay up to date on the latest teaching practices and the education and SEND system.

What is your favourite aspect of your role as a Teaching Assistant?

My favourite aspect of being a Teaching Assistant is building a rapport and relationship with children and young people, especially those who may be overlooked by others. I love helping pupils and knowing that I am making a difference in their lives in one way or another.

What challenges have you faced in your career?

In my career, I’ve experienced challenges such as poor planning and a lack of resources, which can make it difficult to prioritise learning and give every student the opportunity to develop academically and socially.

I’ve also experienced a lack of learning opportunities. It’s frustrating having my opinions dismissed because I am not the most senior person in the room. I think it’s important for everyone's voices to be heard and respected, regardless of seniority.

Reform in the SEND sector continues to be a huge topic of discussion. How have things changed or progressed in the SEND sector since the start of your career?

I feel that more and more children are being labelled as having SEND, but officially there are no confirmed diagnoses or appropriate, tailored support.

Whilst there is always talk about improving the sector and making things inclusive and equal, our SEND children are still often segregated from others during learning.

Planning and preparation for SEND children’s learning can often feel like an afterthought and not only limit opportunities for students but also reinforce the perception that inclusion isn’t a fundamental principle of education.

What changes would you like to see to better support the needs of children and young people?

I want to see planning that is tailored to the needs of the children and young people. Being truly inclusive means providing students with proactive planning and collaboration, as well as committing to meet every child’s needs from the start and not as an add-on once everything else is in place.

I would also like to see children being taught by the Teacher in the classroom more, rather than being taught outside of the classroom, often in a staffroom, by a Teaching Assistant. I would also want sensory rooms to be mandatory for children with sensory needs.

What advice would you give to those considering a career in education?

If you aren't driven purely by money and instead put the children at the heart of all you do, this career is for you. You will have to fight their corner and be their spokesperson, but it is so rewarding.

What’s next for you? Any future aspirations, upcoming projects or changes?

I want to learn sign language so I can better support our children, be more inclusive and develop my own skills. I also want to develop the sensory garden at school to make it more inclusive and supportive to our children.

Teaching Assistant jobs

If you’re searching for a Teaching Assistant job, why not take a look at the latest Teaching Assistant vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.

Recruit Teaching Assistants

As a specialist education recruitment agency, we support schools with their temporary, permanent and temp-perm staffing needs. 

We currently work with hundreds of schools and have exclusive access to some of the best Teaching Assistants in the North West.

If you’re struggling to fill a Teaching Assistant vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?

• Primary schools - Jimmy Callagher 
• Secondary schools - Liam Jones
• SEND schools - Jamie Heath

Share your experience

Every individual brings a unique set of experiences, thoughts, and insights to the table. We believe in giving a voice to a community of professionals to inspire positive change and champion reform in the education sector.  

If you work in the education sector and would like to share your own personal and professional experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you have a different perspective, could offer a fresh angle, or want to challenge assumptions. 

Simply reach out to our Head of Content, Nicole Sherwood, to discuss a collaboration which makes your voice count. 

Meet Jamie Heath

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations. 

In 2025, Spencer Clarke Group was awarded Best Public/Third Sector Recruitment Agency and Best Temporary Recruitment Agency at the Recruiter Awards. In 2024, Spencer Clarke Group was also named Recruitment Agency of the Year.