Celebrating National Teaching Assistants’ Day 2025: Honouring the unsung heroes of education
Teaching Assistants (TAs) are the quiet champions of our schools, supporting pupils every single day and ensuring that no child is left behind. Their role is not only essential but transformative—empowering teachers, enabling pupils to flourish, and strengthening entire school communities.
According to the latest figures for 2024/25, there are 401,892 teaching assistants across England (288,812.4 FTE), including 17,798 here in the North East (14,185.2 FTE). These numbers reflect just how critical this workforce is to the success of our education system.
But statistics only tell part of the story. The real impact of teaching assistants is seen in the faces of the children they support, the lessons they enhance, and the school cultures they help create.
As Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said herself in a recent Schools Week article: “Support staff are the rarely-heralded workforce that keeps schools going.”
Spotlight on excellence: Stories from our schools
As the voice of all 1,150 schools across our region, we’re passionate about celebrating the hard work and dedication of the incredible people who make education possible.
For National Teaching Assistants’ Day, we invited our Partner Schools to share stories of the TAs who go above and beyond every single day. Unsurprisingly, the responses we received were nothing short of inspiring. Here are just a few of the stand-out tributes that made us beam with pride.
Hadrian Park Primary School
“At Hadrian Park Primary School, our Teaching Assistants are at the heart of everything we do. Visitors often comment on how hard it is to tell who is the teacher and who is the TA—because here, every adult is valued equally.
“Our TAs go above and beyond every single day: leading interventions, greeting families at the gates, administering first aid, supporting safeguarding as an integral member of our Safeguarding Team, and even training as Mental Health First Aiders.
“They are proactive, dedicated, and make an incredible impact on the lives of our pupils. Quite simply, we couldn’t be the school we are without them—they are our unsung heroes and an asset to our whole community.”
Percy Hedley School
“Our teaching assistants make a profound difference every day, often quietly, consistently, and without seeking recognition. Their support reaches every aspect of our school, offering time, care, and attention to every pupil, while working seamlessly alongside teachers to enrich learning for all.
“Beyond the classroom, they are mentors, problem-solvers, and advocates. Their insight helps shape not only how we teach, but how we plan and care. They are not just part of our school – they are fundamental to its success.”
Kepier Academy
“We have an exceptional team of LSAs and HLTAs who make a fabulous difference to the lives of all the children and young people they support. The wrap around support that they provide the learners they support enables them to thrive in school and gives parents confidence and security. They make my job as SENCO infinitely more manageable, and the quality provision that we offer couldn’t happen without them.”
Stockton Sixth Form
“A team of 6 TA’s support our compact yet mighty college. Joanne, Tash, Kai, Tracey, Sarah and Tina are always there for our students regardless. They start the week with a smile and all students get to engage in the department weekly Quiz. They work with a smile and cheer and give their all to support our students. They are a fantastic team and we are proud to have them with us.”
Mosaic Federation (incorporating Valley View and Hedworthfield Primary Schools).
“I would love to commend our fantastic team of teaching assistants on National Teaching Assistants Day! In Valley View we suffered a massive flood over the summer holidays.
“Classrooms and learning environments that had been so beautifully organised and nurtured ready for September were ruined. Staff were amazing! teaching assistants from both schools rallied together at Valley View, going above and beyond in clearing classrooms and setting up beautiful working spaces, ready for the children to return the following day!
“This is just one example of their continued support and resilience demonstrated in our schools. Thank you for highlighting National Teaching Assistants Day!”
Kielder Primary School
“We are a very small rural primary school and our TAs go above and beyond every single day for our children. Ms Bond leads our nursery provision and helps the youngest members of our community to thrive and prepare for transition into Reception. It is a nursery filled with learning, laughter and love thanks to Ms Bond’s hard work and commitment.
“Mrs Jones works tirelessly to support delivery of phonics, including providing bespoke interventions to pupils in KS1 and 2. She brings endless positivity to our school and makes a real difference to our children each and every day.”
Prior Pursglove College
“Hannah Yare, one of our amazing Learning Support Assistants at Prior Pursglove College, had always dreamed of working in education but wasn’t sure how to make the transition without university study.
Employed part-time as a cleaner and a carer for a family member, she enjoyed her roles but always knew she wanted to help children and young adults discover their love for learning.
‘I’ve always been intrigued by how teachers and learning support staff put so much effort into their jobs,’ she explains.
‘After having my daughter, I thoroughly enjoyed helping her with homework, well-being, and doing activities to support her learning, and that was then my goal to help others the same way. I decided I wanted a career, not just a job.’
As a single parent, Hannah faced significant challenges around childcare and building the confidence to return to education. Hannah enrolled on the college’s Adult Education programme and found that the supportive environment at the College helped her overcome these barriers.
The college’s tutors provided guidance on childcare options and term-time working patterns, alongside support to overcome any initial nerves, making the transition back to education manageable. Starting with the NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning, Hannah particularly valued the practical experience gained through work placements. Her passion for supporting students with special educational needs led to a placement in Prior Pursglove’s High Needs department, which ultimately resulted in full-time employment. She is now advancing her career further by studying for a Level 3 Diploma while working.
‘The tutors were brilliant throughout my Level 2 qualification,’ Hannah shares. ‘They provided information about different career routes and were always available to offer support. I’m now doing what I love every day, helping young people discover their love for learning.’”
The Link School
“On National TA Day, I would like to give a shout out to all the support staff at The Link School, who go above and beyond every single day! The REACH for all our children, their families and each other and I am humbled by what they bring to school. The Link School support staff embody hard work, dedication, compassion and bring joy to my world – they make the job of being The Head Teacher of this school, the best and for that I want to say ‘Thank You’ for all that they do and all that they are.”
Norham High School
Kerry: “Kerry consistently supports the needs of the children in the classroom. She uses the right techniques and has a calm and supporting nature. She is always asking what else she can do to help and goes above and beyond in everything she does. She does extra things such as Lego league, prom shop and helps around school.
“She is an asset in the classroom and helps get the students the best they possibly can. The outcome: Pupils achieving higher than predicted, cultural capital including prom shop and Lego League helping children experience things they may not experience normally.”
Chelsea: “Chelsea works incredibly hard to support pupils to achieve their very best no matter what their barrier to education. Chelsea is a valuable member of our inclusion team and the team parents, and carers speak highly of what she brings to the team.
“Most recently Chelsea has supported one of our year 11 pupils mock grade increase by two grades – Chelsea has supported him every mainstream lesson and got the best out of the pupil, seeking for him to improve and add more to his work every lesson!”
Linda: “It is with mixed emotions that we will bid farewell to Linda at the end of this year after 22 years service. Linda is a truly remarkable member of not only our inclusion team but that of our whole school team. Linda has been more that just a teaching assistant she has been a source of inspiration, support and positivity in our school community.
“From the very first day Linda has brought a unique energy, warmth and dedication to their role. Whether it is assisting in the classroom, nurturing our pupils’ growth, or collaborating with fellow staff members, their commitment has made a lasting impact on all of us. She has touched the lives of so many pupils, fostering a love for learning and encouraging each child to reach their full potential. We are especially grateful for her patience and understanding, which have created a safe and welcoming environment for our pupils.
“Linda has been a true advocate for their needs, always going the extra mile to ensure that every child felt valued and supported. Her kindness and dedication have not gone unnoticed and they will be deeply missed when she retires. As Linda embarks on this new chapter, we want to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude.
“Thank you for the countless hours you have dedicated, the laughter you have shared, and the memories you have created with us. Your contributions have made a significant difference, and we are all better for having had you as part of our team. Good luck Linda in your next chapter!”
A heartfelt THANK YOU
This National Teaching Assistants’ Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to every TA across our schools and across the country. You are the steady hands, the caring hearts, and the quiet champions that help our children succeed.
As Rachel Hargreaves, CEO of Ascent Academies’ Trust, shared: “On National Teaching Assistant Day, it’s great to celebrate the excellent work of our Teaching Assistant colleagues within our Trust and across the country. Without them, we simply could not provide the level of quality, care and support that our children and young people in our specialist schools need.
“I very proudly started my career as a Teaching Assistant, and I know how important the role is to make sure each and everyday runs as smoothly as possible for children/young people, colleagues and families. Teaching Assistants are often the ones who consider everyone else’s needs, are the glue that holds everything together – the pastoral and academic needs and they know the children/young people so well they can anticipate things before they happen.
“In our Trust our Teaching Assistant colleagues show such passion, commitment and genuine care every day of the year. This is a great day to celebrate and show gratitude to them all.”
Those words say it perfectly; teaching assistants are the glue that holds everything together. They anticipate, they nurture, they inspire, and they make school a place where every child can thrive. Today and every day, we celebrate you.
All schools mentioned in this article are Schools North East Partner Schools. If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.
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