How to Become a Teacher from Teaching Assistant

Have you ever thought about how to become a teacher from teaching assistant? Honestly, it’s easier than you might think – and yes, you can do it! First, being a teaching assistant has already given you many useful skills, like helping students, supporting lessons and understanding what each child needs. 

Next, the step is getting Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). After that, you can choose the training route that suits you best, whether you already have a degree or not. Finally, with the right qualifications and careful planning, you can step up, lead your lessons, manage your classroom and make a real difference in your students’ lives.

If you’re ready to see how it all comes together, by the end of this article, you’ll know the steps, qualifications, and training needed to make the transition—so let’s dive in!

Why TAs Are Perfect for Becoming Teachers

If you’re a teaching assistant, you already have a big advantage when becoming a teacher. Every day, you help students, support lessons, and guide children with their individual needs. This hands-on experience gives you a real understanding of how classrooms work and what students need to succeed.

Moreover, you’ve already built many skills that make the jump to teaching much easier:

• One-on-one support: You know how to help each student individually.
• Lesson help: You assist in planning and running classroom activities.
• Classroom management: You can keep groups organised and focused.
• Understanding students’ needs: You’ve worked with different learning styles and special needs.
• Teamwork and communication: You collaborate with teachers, parents and staff to support students.

Because of this experience, moving into a teaching role feels less scary. In fact, you already understand students, lessons, and the classroom environment. By using what you know and adding the right qualifications, you can confidently become a fully qualified teacher and make a real difference in your students’ lives.

Teaching Assistants vs Teachers: Key Differences

Thinking about becoming a teacher? First, you must know the key differences between teaching assistants and teachers.

Teaching Assistant Responsibilities

Teaching assistants spend their days helping students in small groups or one-on-one. They prepare lessons, support kids who need extra help, and keep the classroom running smoothly. Plus, they make the classroom a positive and happy place to learn. Even though they do so much, the teacher still leads the class and makes the big decisions.

Teacher Responsibilities

Teachers plan and deliver lessons following the national curriculum. They check how students are doing, guide their learning, and look after their welfare and safety. Teachers also work closely with parents, colleagues, and school staff to make the classroom effective and welcoming. They lead the class, make key decisions and are accountable for students’ education and well-being.

Understanding these differences helps teaching assistants identify their existing skills, any extra training or qualifications they need, and how to confidently step into a teaching role.

How to Become a Teacher from Teaching Assistant

If you’re ready to move from teaching assistant to teacher, you’ve already done half the work! You’ve spent time in classrooms, helping students, and keeping lessons on track — that’s real experience most people don’t start with. It’s time to take that next big step and get your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This is the golden ticket to most teaching jobs in the UK and the start of your full teaching career.

Get Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

To become a teacher in England, you’ll need QTS. It proves you’re trained and ready to lead your own classroom. There are different ways to get it, depending on your education and experience.

Undergraduate Degree with QTS

If you don’t have a degree, you can study for a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or Bachelor of Arts/Science (BA/BSc) with QTS. These courses take about 3–4 years and mix university lessons with school placements, so you’ll learn while gaining real classroom experience.

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with QTS

Already have a degree? Then a PGCE is your best option. It’s a 1-year course that includes university study and school placements. You’ll finish with both QTS and a PGCE qualification, which is recognised around the world.

Teacher Degree Apprenticeship (TDA)

If you’d rather earn while you learn, go for a Teacher Degree Apprenticeship. You’ll work in a school, earn a salary, and study for your degree at the same time. It usually takes about 4 years, and you’ll graduate with QTS — plus loads of hands-on experience.

Assessment Only Route

This might be perfect for you if you’ve been working as an unqualified teacher or have at least two years of strong classroom experience. You won’t do full training — instead, your current teaching skills are assessed through lesson observations and a portfolio of evidence. It’s a fast route that takes up to 12 weeks.

Choose Your Teaching Area

Picking your teaching area is an exciting step. For example, if you love working with younger children, primary teaching lets you cover many subjects and help kids build their learning foundations. On the other hand, if you enjoy a specific subject, secondary teaching lets you focus on maths, English, science, or other subjects and guide students through lessons and exams. Also, consider what excites you most and which age group you connect with. Finally, use your experience as a teaching assistant — notice which students or subjects you loved supporting and let that guide you to the right path and training.

Meet the Entry Requirements

Before applying, check you have the basics covered:

• GCSEs: Make sure you’ve got at least a Grade 4 (C) in English and maths. You’ll also need science if you want to teach primary.
• Degree: Required for postgraduate routes like PGCE or Assessment Only.
• Experience: Classroom experience gives you an edge — and you already have that as a TA.

Apply for Teacher Training

Once you’re ready, apply through UCAS or directly with your chosen training provider. You’ll likely have an interview, so next, show your passion, classroom skills, and desire to inspire. Also, if you’re already working in a school, talk to them — they might help fund your training or offer in-school training routes.

Explore Routes Without a Degree

No degree yet? No problem. You still have options:

• Teach in Further Education (FE): Work in colleges or adult learning centres while earning Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status instead of QTS.
• Study part-time while working: Continue as a teaching assistant and complete your degree or teacher training at your own pace.
• School-supported programmes: Some schools offer internal schemes that help teaching assistants train and qualify as teachers, often with funding or flexible schedules.

These routes let you gain experience, earn while you learn, and step confidently into a teaching career.

If You’re Already a Teaching Assistant

Being a TA already gives you a big head start. You’ve learned how classrooms run, how to support teachers, and how to connect with students.

Here’s what you can do next:

• Talk to Your School: Ask if they offer apprenticeships or School-Led Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) — some schools even fund it.
• Try the Assessment Only Route: If you’ve been leading classes for 2+ years, this could be your shortcut to QTS.
• Join a PGCE or BEd Course: Use your real-world experience to stand out in applications.

Your time as a teaching assistant proves you’re caring, patient, and dedicated — the best qualities of any teacher. With a bit of training and the right path, you can move from helping lessons happen to leading them yourself.

Understanding Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is the official certificate you need to teach in most schools in England. It proves you have the skills, training, and knowledge to confidently lead a classroom. Without QTS, you cannot work as a fully qualified teacher in state schools, whether primary, secondary, or special schools.

Routes for UK and Non-UK Citizens

You have several ways to earn QTS if you’re in the UK. For example, you could take a PGCE to build your teaching skills in just a year, pursue an undergraduate degree with QTS, or join a teacher degree apprenticeship to earn while you learn. Alternatively, if you already have classroom experience, the assessment-only route can fast-track your QTS by proving what you can do.

For non-UK citizens, similarly, you can train in England through recognised programmes or go for international QTS (iQTS), letting you gain certification without moving. In short, teaching is within your reach no matter where you start!

Challenges of Moving from TA to Teacher

The jump from teaching assistant to teacher is exciting but comes with some real challenges. Here are the main ones you might face:

• Taking on More Responsibility: Now, you’re not just helping—you’re in charge of the class and making important daily decisions. It can feel scary at first.
• Managing a Full Classroom: Different students, learning styles and behaviours can be tricky to handle, but it gets easier with practice.
• Keeping Up with Lessons and Curriculum: You’ll plan lessons, track progress, and meet national standards—way more than just assisting.
• Balancing Time and Workload: Between prep, grading, meetings, and paperwork, your days can get packed quickly.
• Handling Emotional Pressure: Your students rely on you for learning and support, which can be stressful but also deeply rewarding.
• Shifting from Support to Leadership: Moving from helping to leading takes confidence, but every small win builds it.

Required Skills and Qualities for Teachers

If you’re considering moving from teaching assistant to teacher, it helps to know the key skills you’ll need. These will make you confident in the classroom and help your students really thrive:

• Communication and people skills: You must clearly explain lessons and connect with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Patience and emotional strength: Every student learns differently, and some days are tough — staying calm makes a huge difference.
• Lesson planning and organisation: You’ll plan, track, and run lessons daily, so being organised keeps everything on track.
• Flexibility and adaptability: Students have different needs, so being creative and adjusting your approach helps them learn better.
• Leadership and decision-making: You lead the class, make daily choices and take responsibility for your students’ learning.

Benefits of Moving from TA to Teacher

Leaping from teaching assistant to teacher is exciting and comes with great rewards. Here’s why it’s worth it:

• Earn more and grow your career: Teachers usually get a higher salary and more long-term opportunities.
• Lead your own classroom: You get to bring your ideas to life and inspire students daily.
• Grow personally and professionally: Teaching pushes you in ways you never expected and helps you to discover strengths and skills you didn’t know you had.
• Make a bigger difference: You’ll directly shape students’ learning, confidence, and future success.

FAQs

• Can you go from being a teaching assistant to a teacher?

Yes! With classroom experience and the right qualifications (like QTS), TAs can become fully qualified teachers.

• How long does it take to become a teacher from a teaching assistant?

It depends on the route: PGCE takes 1 year, undergraduate degree 3–4 years, and assessment-only route about 12 weeks if eligible.

• What can I do after being a teaching assistant?

You can progress to a teacher, take on specialist roles like SEN coordinator, or explore further education and training roles.

• Can a Level 3 TA become a teacher?

Yes, Level 3 TAs have the experience needed and can take routes like PGCE, apprenticeships, or assessment-only QTS.

• How to get paid more as a teaching assistant?

Gain qualifications, take on additional responsibilities, or move to higher-level TA roles (Level 3 or senior TA).

• Are teaching assistants getting a pay rise in 2025?

Yes, TAs in England received a 3.2% pay rise from April 2025. Further increases may be negotiated in 2026.

Final Thoughts

Figuring out how to become a teacher from teaching assistant can feel big, but it’s totally possible. Your experience as a TA already gives you a head start — you know how classrooms work and how to help students. Once you earn Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and choose the right training route, you can lead lessons, guide your class, and make a daily difference. Sure, handling a full class and taking on more responsibility can feel tough at first, but the rewards — better pay, personal growth, and seeing students succeed — make it all worth it. With dedication, planning, and the right skills, you can make the jump and shine as a teacher.

Launch your teaching career now! Join the Teaching Assistant Course at Open Learning Academy and gain the skills to inspire students daily.