A closer look at the dynamics of school organisation, culture and ethos in respect to the support and management of teaching assistants (TAs) can help to develop more effective ways of using their energy, skills and talent. Focusing on the UK System, this author has found promising practices that can be built on. Where schools have begun to look at the TA role in a much more rounded way, the management of their time and skills has become more sophisticated. In this way, their roles encompass four dimensions. These are support for teachers, the curriculum and the whole school, as well as for particular pupils. In this article, the author outlines why these strategies can work.