Teaching Assistant (KS2)
Work alongside teachers supporting children aged 7–11. No SEN experience required. Weekly pay, free training, and flexible hours to suit your life.
The Teaching Assistant (KS2) role through Protocol Education offers weekly pay and flexible scheduling. Most positions are full-time, temporary, and include paid training opportunities. Pay generally falls within competitive local rates, though some reports indicate pay can sometimes be just below the national living wage.
As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll work alongside class teachers to deliver support in key subjects such as literacy and numeracy. Your help will be needed for pupils requiring additional support one-to-one, in small groups, or within the wider classroom environment. An ability to foster independence and a positive attitude in children is expected.
Applicants do not need formal SEN experience, but energy, enthusiasm, and care are crucial. People from youth work, sports coaching, tutoring, or psychology backgrounds are valued in this setting. You’ll need a DBS on the update service or be willing to get one, alongside appropriate references and proof of eligibility to work.
What to Expect Day-to-Day
You’ll support children’s educational needs, assist classroom teachers, and help foster a calm environment. Duties may include standing, sitting, some physical activity, and administration on a computer. At times, emotional resilience will be important as the work can be demanding. You are responsible for health and safety and for helping children develop learning habits and social skills.
Ventajas
The stand-out benefit is flexibility: the agency works hard to fit assignments around your life, and you’re paid weekly. Free CPD and online training are excellent perks to support your personal and professional growth. Clients generally enjoy their work and feel their efforts are valued by class teachers, even if not always by management or head office.
Contras
On the downside, some assistants report inconsistent access to paid breaks or sick leave—many don’t get sick pay when needed. Training and internal communication may not meet everyone’s expectations, with a significant percentage of new staff wishing for more induction. Pay can fall short of the Real Living Wage in some cases. There are also occasional worries about getting enough work hours and difficulty booking leave.
Veredicto
If you’re looking to enter education or transition from a similar field and want to make a positive impact on children’s lives, Protocol Education’s Teaching Assistant roles provide a practical route with weekly pay and development support. However, weigh the pros and cons depending on how important breaks, pay, and training are to your personal needs.
