What’s the latest? Practical Strategies for Using TAs Effectively

Teaching assistants (TAs) play a significant role in many classrooms, but are we using them in the most effective way possible? 

An insightful report recently published by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF, 2025) in England offers valuable guidance on the deployment of TAs, and it raises important questions for Australian school leaders to consider. Read the full guidance report here. 

For those of you on a tight schedule, here’s our short summary and suggestions to think about: 

1: Supplement teaching - don't replace the teacher! 

The EEF's findings are clear: teaching assistants can be a powerful force in improving student outcomes—but only when deployed strategically.  

The report highlights that TAs often provide valuable support to students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, too often their potential is underused or misdirected, with TAs being assigned tasks that don't align with the learning needs of students.  

Practical Strategy: Ensure your teachers and TAs have opportunity to develop and maintain a working relationship where they can discuss and plan intentional support strategies with the teacher, to meet the needs of students.  

2: Train TAs on ‘Scaffolding’ 

One of the key recommendations from the report is the importance of ensuring that TAs are used to support high-quality teaching. Instead of simply providing extra help with tasks, TAs should be trained to work alongside teachers in ways that actively promote student independence. This means that rather than "doing things for students," TAs should be scaffolding learning, helping students develop skills that will allow them to succeed on their own. 

Practical Strategy: Equip your TAs with a range of scaffolding strategies, ensuring they understand that these supports should be removed over time to promote independent learning for students.  

3: Create Opportunities for Professional Growth 

The report stresses that TAs need more than just basic tasks; they require ongoing professional development to work effectively within the classroom. Effective collaboration between teachers and TAs is crucial to ensure that students receive targeted support that meets their unique needs. 

Practical Strategy: Ensure your TAs have a clear job description, providing them (and teachers) with clarity around their role and responsibilities. Embed professional learning into the TAs role. Empower your TA team to continue growing professionally! 

ATA are here to help you! 

It’s time to think critically about how TAs are being deployed and used in our Australian classrooms. Are we using TAs in ways that truly support student learning? What can we improve?  

As the EEF report suggests, the key to maximising the impact of TAs lies in strategic, evidence-based decisions.  

We encourage school leaders to start using the recently released Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards (ATAPS) - an evidence-based framework designed specifically for TAs in all Australian schools.  

This framework supports the performance and professional growth of TAs, providing them with role clarity, and facilitating a collaborative working relationship between TAs and the teachers they work alongside.  

Everyone loves Freebies! 

You can find lots of resources on our website to support the use of ATAPS, including an on-demand, free webinar, Introducing ATAPS.  

You’ll also find free, printable versions of the ATAPS framework here. 

Bonus Material for Members! 

ATA Members have exclusive access to the Companion Guide, a ‘best friend’ for all TAs to use when setting goals and planning professional learning with ATAPS.  

Our ATAPS Partner School members have access to ATAPS Facilitator Training as well as a comprehensive ‘Implementation Guide’ detailing the steps and resources to use when introducing ATAPS to their team.  

What will be your first step? 

To learn more about the role of teaching assistants in Australian schools, and to find resources for supporting TAs, developing their professional capability, and improving practice, visit our website today! 

Sources: 

Education Endowment Foundation (EEF): educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk  

Australian Teacher Aide: www.australianteacheraide.com.au