Teaching Assistant Resume Keywords for ATS

ATS systems for Teaching Assistant roles prioritise educational qualifications, safeguarding credentials, and specific support experience with SEN/SEND pupils. Recruiters filter for Key Stage familiarity, behaviour management terminology, and evidence of working within the National Curriculum framework, so these must appear explicitly in your CV.

ATS keywords for a Teaching Assistant Resume

Use these as a checklist — include the ones that genuinely apply to you, matched to the wording of the job you are targeting.

Core skills

Special Educational Needs supportSEND supportBehaviour managementClassroom managementLiteracy supportNumeracy supportOne-to-one supportSmall group interventionPhonics instructionDifferentiationNational Curriculum knowledgeAssessment supportLearning support

Tools & software

SIMSArborTapestryGoogle ClassroomMicrosoft TeamsInteractive whiteboardsMakatonPECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)NumiconRead Write Inc

Soft skills

PatienceCommunication skillsTeam workingAdaptabilityEmpathyOrganisational skills

Certifications & qualifications

Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualificationLevel 3 Teaching Assistant qualificationDBS check (Enhanced)Paediatric First AidTeam TeachSafeguarding training

How to get a Teaching Assistant Resume past the ATS

Include specific Key Stages you've supported (e.g., 'Key Stage 1', 'Key Stage 2', 'EYFS') as these are common search filters
Write out 'Special Educational Needs and Disabilities' as well as the acronym 'SEND' as different schools use different terminology
List specific intervention programmes by name (e.g., 'Precision Teaching', 'Catch-Up Literacy') rather than generic 'intervention work'
State your DBS status explicitly (e.g., 'Enhanced DBS - Update Service registered') as safeguarding is a mandatory filter
Use exact phrases from job descriptions such as 'supporting the class teacher' and 'preparing learning resources' rather than paraphrasing
Include age ranges and year groups numerically (e.g., 'Year 3', 'ages 7-11') as ATS may search for specific year group experience

Before & after: Teaching Assistant Resume bullets

Before: Helped children with their reading and writing

After: Delivered one-to-one phonics intervention using Read Write Inc for 6 pupils in Year 2, improving reading ages by an average of 8 months over one term

Before: Supported students with special needs in the classroom

After: Provided SEND support for 4 pupils with EHCPs across Key Stage 1, implementing differentiated learning strategies and Makaton signing to improve classroom engagement by 40%

Before: Worked with the teacher to manage classroom behaviour

After: Applied positive behaviour management strategies in a Year 5 class of 30 pupils, reducing incident reports by 25% and supporting the class teacher with National Curriculum delivery

Teaching Assistant Resume keywords — FAQ

What keywords should a Teaching Assistant put on their Resume?

A Teaching Assistant Resume should include core skills such as Special Educational Needs support, SEND support, Behaviour management, Classroom management, Literacy support, Numeracy support, and name specific tools like SIMS, Arbor, Tapestry, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams. Always match the exact terms used in the job description you are applying to.

How do I make my Teaching Assistant Resume ATS-friendly?

Use a plain-text skills section, mirror the keywords from the job posting word-for-word, spell out acronyms once alongside their short form, and quantify your achievements. Include specific Key Stages you've supported (e.g., 'Key Stage 1', 'Key Stage 2', 'EYFS') as these are common search filters

What skills do employers look for in a Teaching Assistant?

Beyond technical skills, employers screen for Patience, Communication skills, Team working, Adaptability. Relevant qualifications include Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification, Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification, DBS check (Enhanced).