Getting Into Education and Training

Schools, nurseries and training providers employ a huge number of people who are not teachers. If you want to work with children or young people but do not have a degree, there are more routes in than you might think.

What the sector looks like

Education is one of the largest employment sectors in the UK. Beyond the teachers, there are over 900,000 support staff working in schools in England alone - teaching assistants, administrators, caretakers, IT technicians, and dozens of other roles that keep the system running.

Most entry-level education roles are in primary and secondary schools, nurseries, and special educational needs (SEN) settings. The work is structured around the school day and school year, which suits some people well and catches others off guard (more on that below).

Demand is strong right now. The number of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) has risen from 240,000 in 2014 to around 640,000, and the government has committed over £3 billion to create 60,000 new specialist and mainstream SEND places by 2030. That means more teaching assistants and learning support staff are needed, not fewer. On Step Into Jobs, Education and Training consistently has hundreds of live vacancies.

The government has also reinstated the School Support Staff Negotiating Body, which was abolished in 2010. This body will establish national pay frameworks and career progression routes for support staff from the 2027-28 financial year onward. It is a signal that the role of support staff is being taken more seriously at policy level.

Common entry-level roles

Teaching Assistant (TA) - The most common entry point. You work alongside the class teacher, supporting small groups or individual pupils with their learning. In primary schools this is often general classroom support; in secondary schools you might be attached to a specific department or pupil. Full-time equivalent salaries typically range from £18,000 to £23,000 for unqualified TAs, rising to £23,000-£28,000 at Level 2-3 with experience. London rates are higher. Most TA roles are term-time only, which significantly affects actual take-home pay (see below).

Learning Support Assistant / SEN Support - Similar to a TA but focused on children with special educational needs and disabilities. You might work one-to-one with a pupil who has an EHCP, supporting them through the school day. This can include help with communication, mobility, behaviour management, or sensory needs. Pay is broadly similar to TA rates, sometimes slightly higher for specialist SEN roles. Emotionally demanding but consistently described as rewarding.

Nursery Assistant / Early Years Practitioner - Working with children aged 0-5 in nurseries, pre-schools, or school reception classes. The work is play-based learning, personal care (nappies, meals, toileting), observation, and keeping children safe. Salaries typically range from £18,000 to £24,000 depending on qualifications and location. You can enter unqualified, but progressing to a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification opens up more responsibility and better pay.

School Administrator / Receptionist - The front desk of a school. Answering phones, managing attendance records, handling parent queries, processing paperwork. You need to be organised, calm under pressure, and comfortable with confidential information. Salaries typically range from £19,000 to £24,000. Less emotionally intense than classroom roles, but do not underestimate how busy a school office gets.

Exam Invigilator - Seasonal, part-time work supervising exams (mainly May-June, with some in November-January). Typically paid £12-£15 per hour. No qualifications needed beyond reliability and the ability to follow strict procedures. A good way to get a foot in the door at a school if you are exploring whether education is for you.

Cover Supervisor - Supervising classes when the regular teacher is absent. You are not teaching - you are managing the classroom and ensuring pupils complete the work that has been set. Pay ranges from around £18,000 to £25,000 full-time equivalent. Requires confidence with groups of young people and good behaviour management instincts. Some schools ask for a Level 2 qualification, but many will take the right person without one.

Breakfast and After-School Club Staff - Running activities and supervising children outside normal school hours, typically 7:30-8:45am or 3:15-6pm. Often part-time, paid at or just above the National Living Wage. Minimal entry requirements. Useful if you want to test whether working with children is right for you before committing to a full role.

What you need to get started

For most entry-level roles, you do not need formal qualifications. Schools and nurseries regularly hire people with no prior education sector experience, particularly for TA, nursery assistant, and admin roles.

What they actually look for:

• Patience, reliability, and a genuine interest in working with children or young people
• Basic literacy and numeracy (some schools test this at interview)
• An enhanced DBS check with a check against the children's barred list
• The right to work in the UK

DBS checks

Every role involving regular contact with children requires an enhanced DBS check. As of 2026, this costs £49.50, but the employer almost always pays. You do not need to get one before you apply - the school arranges it as part of onboarding. Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks, though it can be longer if you have lived at many addresses. Some schools let you start in a supervised capacity while the check is being processed.

Qualifications that help (but are not essential)

Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning - A foundation-level qualification for classroom support. Typically requires around 200 hours of study, usually done part-time alongside a school placement (paid or voluntary). Available at most further education colleges.

Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning - More advanced, covering lesson planning support, working with parents, and specialist needs. Around 350 hours including 210 guided study hours. Opens the door to senior TA and HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) roles. Many schools will fund you to do this once you are in post.

Level 3 Early Years Educator - The key qualification for nursery and early years work. Required if you want to be counted in the staff-to-child ratios at Level 3 under the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Since September 2025, the government has introduced an experience-based route allowing staff with a relevant Level 2 qualification and at least one year of early years experience to count at Level 3 after a supervised practice period. There are also free Level 3 courses available for eligible candidates.

Safeguarding training

All school and nursery staff receive safeguarding training. This is provided by the employer - you do not need to arrange it yourself. Under Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025), all staff must receive safeguarding training on induction and at least annual updates thereafter. This covers recognising signs of abuse, knowing who to report concerns to, and understanding your legal responsibilities.

How hiring works

Education hiring has its own rhythms. Schools recruit most heavily in spring and summer for September starts, but vacancies come up year-round as staff move on. Nurseries recruit more continuously.

The typical process:

1. Find a vacancy - Check Teaching Vacancies, the government's free job listing service for schools. It lists support staff roles alongside teaching positions. Also check local authority job pages, individual school websites, and job boards like Step Into Jobs.
2. Apply - Most schools use application forms rather than CVs. They want to see why you want to work with children, any relevant experience (including informal experience like parenting, volunteering, youth work, or mentoring), and evidence that you understand safeguarding basics.
3. Interview - Usually one stage, often including a short practical task (such as working with a small group of pupils for 15-20 minutes while being observed). Expect scenario-based questions: "What would you do if a child told you something that concerned you?" or "How would you support a pupil who was struggling to focus?" Be honest about what you do not know - they expect to train you.
4. References and DBS - Two references are required (one from your most recent employer). The DBS check is processed after you accept the offer. Schools are legally required to verify your identity, qualifications, right to work, and check the children's barred list before you start unsupervised work.
5. Induction - Safeguarding training, a tour of the school, introductions to the pupils you will work with, and a period of shadowing an experienced colleague.

Volunteering is a legitimate route in. Many TAs started by helping out at their child's school one morning a week. If you have no experience at all, offering to volunteer for a half-term gives you something concrete to talk about at interview and helps you work out whether the environment suits you.

What to expect day-to-day

The school day structure - Most school-based roles run roughly 8:30am to 3:30pm, with some requiring earlier starts (breakfast club) or later finishes (after-school activities, staff meetings). Nursery hours vary more, with some settings open 7am-7pm on a shift basis. You will rarely take work home.

Term-time only contracts - This is the big thing that catches people out. Most TA, classroom support, and nursery roles are term-time only: you work 38-39 weeks per year plus a few weeks of holiday entitlement, rather than 52 weeks. Your annual salary is pro-rated accordingly. A role advertised at £23,000 full-time equivalent might actually pay you £18,000-£19,000 when pro-rated for term-time hours. Your pay is usually spread across 12 monthly payments so your payslip looks consistent, but the total is lower than the headline figure. Make sure you understand the actual annual pay before you accept.

The emotional side - Working with children is rewarding, but it is also tiring. You will deal with challenging behaviour, children going through difficult home situations, and the pressure of trying to help pupils who are behind. SEN roles add another layer - working closely with a child who has complex needs requires patience and resilience. Most schools provide supervision and peer support, but it is worth being realistic about the emotional demands.

Physical demands - Primary and early years roles involve a lot of time at child height: sitting on small chairs, kneeling on floors, lifting young children. Secondary roles involve more time on your feet, moving between classrooms.

The team - Schools are close-knit workplaces. You will work closely with teachers, other TAs, the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), and office staff. The relationships are often strong - people tend to stay in schools for years because of the team, even when the pay is not great.

Progression paths

Education has clearer progression routes than many people realise:

• Teaching Assistant to Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) - HLTAs take on more responsibility, including leading classes and planning activities. Pay rises to roughly £23,000-£30,000. Requires the HLTA status assessment (your school can put you forward for this).
• Teaching Assistant to Teacher - If you decide you want to teach, many universities and school-based training providers actively recruit from experienced TAs. There are salaried routes (School Direct) and apprenticeship routes that let you train while earning.
• Nursery Assistant to Room Leader to Manager - With a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification, you can progress to leading a room, then to deputy manager and manager roles. Nursery managers in the private sector typically earn £25,000-£35,000.
• SEN Support to Specialist Roles - Experience with SEND can lead into specialist roles: learning mentor, behaviour support, educational psychologist assistant, or speech and language therapy assistant. Some of these require further qualifications, but your school-based experience is the foundation.
• School Administrator to Office Manager to School Business Manager - The administrative path has its own progression. School business managers handle budgets, HR, premises, and compliance. It is a serious management role with salaries of £30,000-£45,000 in larger schools.

Is education right for you?

Education suits people who:

• Are patient and can stay calm when things are chaotic
• Genuinely enjoy being around children or young people
• Want a role with structure and predictable hours (within term time)
• Are comfortable being on their feet and physically active
• Value making a difference over maximising their salary

The pay is not spectacular, particularly at entry level with term-time pro-rating. But the hours work well for people with their own children, the holidays align with school breaks, the work is meaningful, and there are real progression routes if you want them. If you are considering it, volunteering for even a few sessions at a local school will tell you more than any article can.