When people think about working in education, they often picture teachers at the front of a classroom. But schools can’t run on teachers alone. Behind every lesson there’s an entire network of people keeping things moving – from administrators and site managers to teaching assistants and IT technicians.

In 2025, demand for these non-teaching roles is rising sharply across the UK. And for people with the right skills, that means more opportunities than you might expect.

Why demand is rising

More support for pupils
Schools are putting more emphasis on pupil wellbeing, mental health, and tailored learning. That’s driven a steady need for pastoral mentors, behaviour support staff, and teaching assistants who can work closely with individual students or small groups.

SEN provision
The number of pupils receiving SEN support is growing year on year – over 1.5 million in England alone. That means more SEN-trained teaching assistants, learning support assistants, and speech and language support roles.

Administration and compliance
From safeguarding records to data protection, schools have more paperwork and reporting to handle. Skilled administrators, data officers, and HR support staff are essential to keep up.

Technology in the classroom
Digital tools are now part of everyday teaching. Schools rely on IT technicians, network managers, and digital learning coordinators to keep systems running and help staff use them effectively.

Roles that are in high demand

• Teaching Assistants (TAs): Helping with lessons, providing small-group support, and working one-to-one with pupils.
• School Administrators: Managing attendance, admissions, and the day-to-day running of the office.
• SEN Support Staff: Assisting pupils with learning differences or disabilities.
• Exam Invigilators: Overseeing assessments to ensure they run fairly and efficiently.
• Site Managers and Caretakers: Maintaining buildings and grounds, ensuring everything is safe and compliant.

Why people choose these roles

Non-teaching staff often talk about:

• Seeing the difference their work makes to pupils
• Having term-time hours that fit with family life
• Opportunities to progress into higher-level roles

It’s not a career for everyone, but for those who want to contribute to education without teaching, it can be rewarding and stable.

Getting started

• Get your DBS check sorted – An Enhanced DBS is a must for school work.
• Do basic training – Courses in safeguarding or first aid can boost your chances.
• Be open to short-term or part-time work – It’s often the best route into a permanent role.
• Register with a specialist recruiter – At Pertemps Education, we recruit for a wide range of non-classroom-based roles that are essential to the success of every school. With dedicated consultants focussed on support roles in schools, we are confident in finding the perfect fit for you.