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School of Environment, Education and Development

New SEED policy on the use of Teaching Assistants

21 Oct 2025

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) has introduced a policy to guide the use of Teaching Assistants (TAs) within the delivery of its programmes.

Supplementing the Faculty of Humanities Teaching Assistant Policy, the SEED Policy on the Use of Teaching Assistants (TAs) is designed to:

  • Ensure greater equity in the expectations placed on TAs;
  • Promote a fair distribution of TA support among academic staff;
  • Provide a central reference point for all TA-related processes within SEED; and
  • Offer clear guidance on when and how it is appropriate to seek TA support.

More specifically, the policy seeks to ensure that:

  • TA roles are distributed fairly among academic staff;
  • TAs are assigned comparable duties for the hours they are paid;
  • Work assigned is appropriate for the TA-level;
  • There is transparency and clarity regarding tasks and responsibilities; and
  • Appropriate safeguards are in place to protect TAs from excessive workloads, while maintaining the integrity and quality of their contributions to teaching and learning.

Overall, the policy aims to enhance the quality of teaching within SEED, while supporting the professional growth, fair treatment, and development of Teaching Assistants across the School.

Much of the policy formalises existing conventions, so it is unlikely to have a significant impact on most course convenors. At the same time, care has been taken to ensure that the policy does not negatively impact developmental opportunities for TAs. The policy is also the outcome of consultation across TA, academic and professional services (PS) colleagues.

All staff who work with TAs - including course convenors and PhD supervisors - should review this document carefully to ensure they are fully aware of SEED’s expectations, procedures, and best practices for engaging and supporting TAs effectively and appropriately.

To support this process, a summary for course convenors and PhD supervisors has been prepared:

Thank you for taking the time to familiarise yourself with the policy. Doing so is an important step in promoting the fair and appropriate use of TA support within the School.

Download the SEED Policy on the use of Teaching Assistants

Go to the Use of Teaching Assistants page to find out more about the policy and get answers to FAQs