The teaching assistant retention charter was unveiled at the Teach Portsmouth Support and Teaching Assistant Jobs Fair on Thursday 1 May 2025 at the Portsmouth Central Library.
The charter is part of a series of actions to help address teaching assistant retention in the city.
This has been created in collaboration with schools and academies across Portsmouth. This blog takes you through the key aspects of the charter and why it has been developed to support education settings in the city.
How was the charter created?
The work to establish a charter began in December 2024 when a survey was completed by 179 teaching assistants who shared their views about their experience working in the city.
This data was gathered into seven themed areas that would enable a focus group to structure and develop a draft charter.
A focus group made up of teaching assistants, a head teacher and recruitment advisers attended a co-production session to develop an early version of the charter.
Afterwards, different stakeholder groups reviewed the charter including schools and academies before a final version was unveiled.
What challenges does the charter address?
Teaching assistants are integral to the success of schools, providing essential support to not only teachers but children and young people.
Their role ensures that every learner, regardless of their needs, can thrive in the classroom. However, recent feedback has highlighted challenges faced by teaching assistants, including workload management, recognition, and career progression.
The charter features seven principles that address these challenges with schools who sign up asked to meet each one. This is a commitment to ensure teaching assistants feel valued and heard.
Who are the key partners involved?
The teaching assistant retention charter is a collaborative document created with input from teaching assistants, headteachers, and recruitment advisers.
Its purpose is to establish a shared set of values and commitments that schools can adopt to enhance the working conditions and overall experience of teaching assistants. This charter aims to be a tool for retaining and recruiting staff.
What are key aspects of the charter?
There are seven key areas which the charter focuses on. The charter aims to create a culture where teaching assistants feel appreciated for their contributions to school life.
Progression and training to enhance skills is another crucial aspect of the charter.
Prioritising the mental health and wellbeing of teaching assistants within the school environment is essential. Fostering open and transparent communication between teaching assistants, teachers, and school leadership is also a key focus.
The charter aims to provide transparent pay and benefits for the role of a teaching assistant as well as flexible working arrangements.
What's next for the teaching assistant retention charter?
The teaching assistant retention charter represents a significant step towards improving the working conditions and recognition of teaching assistants.
Alongside the charter, a new visual identity and toolkit are being developed for schools that sign up. This will enable schools to communicate their participation in the scheme, sending a strong message to both current and incoming teaching assistants about the value placed on their roles.
Two schools will form part of an initial trial as we test out the implementation and how best to measure its success. It is anticipated that the trial will be expanded to other schools during the next academic year.
Discover more about the teaching assistant retention charter
Learn more about how the charter was developed and those involved in the process. Follow this journey on the Portsmouth Education Partnership website.