Graduate Teaching Assistant (Temp to permanent) - Watford

What is a Teaching Assistant?

Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) in a secondary school is typically a graduate student who assists a teacher with various instructional and administrative tasks. While the role of a GTA can vary depending on the school and country, generally, they help with supporting teachers in delivering lessons, managing classroom activities, and providing individualized support to students.

Here are some key responsibilities a GTA might have:

Assisting with Lesson Delivery: You will help set up materials for lessons, lead small group activities, or assist with teaching in the classroom.
Supporting Students: You will offer additional help to students who need extra support, whether that's helping them understand specific concepts or offering tutoring in specific subjects.
Classroom Management: You will assist the teacher with maintaining order in the classroom, helping to manage behavior and ensuring that students are staying on task.

Do you need formal teaching qualifications? What would you require?

No formal teaching qualifications are needed! However, for this role Prospero Teaching are looking for future teachers, so a degree would be essential as the schools we are working with are looking to take applicants through teacher training after gaining the required experience as a Teaching Assistant.

Why work as a Teaching Assistant?

Understanding Classroom Dynamics: As a TA, you gain firsthand experience of the classroom environment-how lessons are structured, how students behave, and how a teacher manages the class. This is crucial when you start your teacher training, as it gives you a solid foundation to build upon.
Observation of Teaching Methods: By working alongside experienced teachers, you can observe their teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and ways they engage students. This helps you see how theory is applied in real-world situations, which is incredibly beneficial when you begin your own training.
Subject Knowledge and Pedagogy: You'll gain an understanding of how specific subjects are taught, which is helpful when you eventually begin planning and delivering your own lessons. If you're in a subject-specific TA role, you may also learn more about how to teach that particular subject in depth.

Clarifying Career Direction

Confirming Your Teaching Commitment: Working as a TA gives you the chance to explore teaching in practice and decide if its the right career path for you. If you enjoy the experience, it confirms your decision to pursue teacher training; if not, it offers insight into other areas of education or support work.