Three in four headteachers struggle to recruit teaching assistants (TAs), particularly in secondary and special schools, as rising SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) demand intensifies.

A recent government report on the use of teaching assistants in state-funded primary, secondary and special schools in England cited that low pay and limited career progression contribute to retention challenges, with many TAs leaving for better-paying, less demanding jobs.

While secondary and special schools need more TAs, a third of primary schools are cutting numbers due to financial pressures. This issue highlights the growing responsibilities of TAs, who now take on more tasks, including teaching and administrative duties.

As schools face budget cuts, rising wages in other sectors, and an increasing number of students with special needs, some are moving away from traditional teaching assistant roles. Instead, schools are developing smaller teams of highly skilled learning mentors and coaches to provide targeted support for pupils with additional needs. This shift focuses on creating a more efficient, impactful intervention model, replacing the one-to-one classroom-based support that has been a staple in education for years.

The growing demand for teaching assistants, coupled with recruitment and retention challenges, is driving many schools to rethink their support models. As budgets tighten and special needs pressures increase, schools are exploring innovative staffing solutions.

Laura Bullen, National Lead for Operational Learning and Development at Oasis Community Learning commented; ‘we employ over 1,200 teaching assistants who are instrumental in delivering exceptional education. They have a strong presence in the classroom and high contact time with students. Recruiting teaching assistants through the apprenticeship route helps us to access talented people who we may not otherwise attract, often those in their early careers or seeking for a career change. For our apprenticeship opportunities we recruit for potential rather than experience, knowing the apprenticeship will build the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviour.’


LMP Education offers a free recruitment service to help schools and multi academy trusts find the right support staff to meet their needs in this challenging environment. Schools can benefit from fully funded training through the apprenticeship levy helping ease the pressures of budgets. The LMP teaching assistant programmes provide a unique opportunity for TAs to learn as they earn gaining qualifications and valuable experience through the Teaching Assistant Development Programme.

LMP Education delivers 3 Teaching Assistant programmes aimed at those who wish to get a start in education with a sports and SEND pathway available. Alongside this, a new Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant programme was recently announced. This new level 5 programme is starting from January 2025 and provides career progression and development for TAs, which is equivalent to a foundation degree. This initiative can help ease the burden on school leaders while ensuring that students with additional needs receive the support they require.

Find out more about the Specialist TA Programme or Join the waiting list

If you are a school leader and would like to find out more please book a discovery call

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