School Support Staff Face “Shocking†Pay as Role intensifies Post-Pandemic
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A growing crisis in school funding is leaving dedicated teaching assistants and support staff significantly underpaid, despite an increase in their responsibilities and the vital role they play in student wellbeing. One veteran educator says the situation is unsustainable and calls for urgent action to address the disparity.
A school employee in Swansea, Wales, who began her career as a dinner lady more than 20 years ago, expressed her love for her current role but lamented that “the job evolved and the job changed, the pay and terms and conditions never have.†The educator, who now specializes in supporting children with additional needs and occasionally covering classes, highlighted the increasing demands placed on school support staff.
The Evolving Role of Teaching Assistants
In the early stages of her career,the educator’s responsibilities were primarily focused on assisting teachers with lesson preparation and providing reading support to pupils. However, the role has become increasingly specialized, requiring a higher level of skill and expertise.“We became much more skilled — our expertise, our experience, our continuity with the children — that became far more significant,†she stated.This shift reflects a broader trend in education, where support staff are increasingly relied upon to address the complex needs of students.
the demands on these staff members have been further amplified by the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The educator noted a significant increase in student anxiety and social challenges as schools reopened. “We live in the communities where we work so very frequently enough they’re our children, they’re our community and it’s critically important that we are there to support them,†she explained, emphasizing the deep connection between school staff and the families they serve.
A Pay Gap That Undermines Support
Despite the increased responsibilities and critical importance of their work, school support staff are frequently enough paid shockingly low wages. The educator described the pay as “shocking†and believes “people would be very surprised if they knew how low the pay was.†She shared that raising her daughter on her earnings was “tough†and required reliance on government benefits.
Recent survey data from Unison in 2024 supports these claims,revealing that the most common monthly pay range for school support staff is between £1,200 and £1,399. A significant issue contributing to low earnings is the fact that teaching assistants are typically only paid during term time. Unions have long advocated for year-round pay, arguing that it would bring their income in line with other school staff and prevent them from earning less than they would in a full-time, minimum wage job.
The educator powerfully concluded, “our role is even more important than it’s ever been,†yet the financial realities faced by those in these positions threaten the stability and quality of support available to students.
