INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHANGES IN EDUCATION
Research Article
Jul 01, 2026 129 87

Teaching Assistants, Respected Enough to Teach, but not Enough to be Paid Accordingly

Angela Hodgkins 1 * ,
Michelle Malomo 1,
Carla Solvason 1
1 Department for Children and Families, University of Worcester, UK* Corresponding Author
International Journal of Changes in Education, 3(2), 2026, 157-165, https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42024033
Online publication date: Oct 15, 2024
Publication date: Jul 01, 2026
Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

In this article, we examine the role and responsibilities of teaching assistants (TAs) in primary schools in England. A survey exploring the health and wellbeing of educators received 244 responses, with 70 TAs eager to share their experiences. While literature indicates that expectations placed upon TAs are often unclear and fluid, our data suggest that this vagueness can be exploited by leaders. In response to our survey, a picture emerges where the responsibilities of TAs increased exponentially during the pandemic and have not lessened since. In a role that is very poorly paid and can be relatively unsupported, the inevitable impact of this is a significant increase in stress and anxiety. This stress not only impacts TAs’ mental health and wellbeing but also affects their family relationships. In this article, we call for a review of this role at school level and for consideration to be given to clearer pay scales and job descriptions. We advise schools to consider actions that create a more respectful school culture, where the skills, knowledge, and wellbeing of TAs are valued on a par with their teaching colleagues.

KEYWORDS

teaching assistant school stress mental health support

CITATION (APA)

Hodgkins, A., Malomo, M., & Solvason, C. (2026). Teaching Assistants, Respected Enough to Teach, but not Enough to be Paid Accordingly. International Journal of Changes in Education, 3(2), 157-165. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42024033
Harvard
Hodgkins, A., Malomo, M., and Solvason, C. (2026). Teaching Assistants, Respected Enough to Teach, but not Enough to be Paid Accordingly. International Journal of Changes in Education, 3(2), pp. 157-165. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42024033
Vancouver
Hodgkins A, Malomo M, Solvason C. Teaching Assistants, Respected Enough to Teach, but not Enough to be Paid Accordingly. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2026;3(2):157-65. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42024033
AMA
Hodgkins A, Malomo M, Solvason C. Teaching Assistants, Respected Enough to Teach, but not Enough to be Paid Accordingly. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2026;3(2), 157-165. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42024033
Chicago
Hodgkins, Angela, Michelle Malomo, and Carla Solvason. "Teaching Assistants, Respected Enough to Teach, but not Enough to be Paid Accordingly". International Journal of Changes in Education 2026 3 no. 2 (2026): 157-165. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42024033
MLA
Hodgkins, Angela et al. "Teaching Assistants, Respected Enough to Teach, but not Enough to be Paid Accordingly". International Journal of Changes in Education, vol. 3, no. 2, 2026, pp. 157-165. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42024033

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