A teaching assistant from Clifton has told of the importance of her "rewarding" role in helping children get all the support they need while at school.
Elizabeth Arnold, 40, who has lived in Clifton all her life, has been working as a teaching assistant for the past 16 years having grown up always wanting to work with children.
She now works with children aged three to 11 at Whitegate Primary and Nursery School in a team of 17 teaching assistants.
"It's very rewarding," Ms Arnold said.
"We've got a good team. We do the support side and we help with all the letters and numbers. We take some groups out and we have the special educational needs children that we do one-to-ones with.
"Because they are little they want attention so you get to know them really well. It's about that trust.
"Nowadays there are not many jobs. Schools are getting rid of teaching assistants and they are needed, especially for special needs children.
"I know some schools are struggling and quite a few teaching assistants were made redundant.
"The SEN children need support but most schools cannot afford it. I was lucky to get a job and work where I do."
Ms Arnold, who has a 12-year-old son called Harry, told Nottinghamshire Live that she had "always wanted to work with children".
She works primarily in the nursery, where one main teacher is supported by a number of assistants.
Her role came about after completing her NNEB (National Nursery Examination Board) diploma at Basford Hall College.
Monday, September 16, is also National Teaching Assistants Day, and Ms Arnold said it is good to be recognised.
"I've always wanted to work with children but the jobs are very hard to get. I've got lots of nieces and nephews so I really love it," she added.
"We have special iPads which we do special observations with. It is rewarding but it has its moments.
"It can be hard going when we have the new children starting. It's nice to be appreciated and celebrate what we do.
"We are appreciated. It just helps take the burden off teachers as they all work really hard."
Around 244,000 teaching assistants are working in schools across the country, which is an increase from 71,800 in 2002.
The national awareness day was created to recognise the valuable contribution teaching assistants make to the education and support of schoolchildren across the country.
