Course Summary

This new Apprenticeship Standard enables students to develop skills, professional behaviours and knowledge which are essential for an excellent Teaching Assistant.

The course will enhance apprentices’ skills in supporting children or young people’s learning in schools or colleges.  It also develops their responsibilities so that they can work independently with groups of children and/or equips them to support the learning of pupils with special educational needs.  The apprentice will also help to plan, carry out and evaluate a wide range of learning activities.

The programme is an excellent stepping stone to a Higher Level Teaching Assistant course, Foundation Degree or higher level training.

What are the benefits?

• Develop wide-ranging skills and personal qualities to improve your career prospects in the education sector
• Develop the professional behaviours expected of Teaching Assistants
• Earn while you learn, in a highly rewarding job
• Gain a recognised qualification respected world-wide
• Look forward to a brighter future: the majority of apprentices stay in employment and two thirds continue their career with the same employer

Entry requirements

The apprentice must be over 16 years old and have an apprenticeship contract in a school or other provider, working with children from Year 1 upwards.

Qualification entry requirements will be a matter for individual employers: typically an apprentice might be expected to have already achieved five GCSEs, including Maths and English, at grade 4/5.  Some employers will accept other relevant qualifications and experience, including a relevant Level 2 qualification.

Course Content

Alongside the Apprenticeship Standard for Teaching Assistants, the apprentice will study Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths (if these have not already been achieved at point of entry). 

The Maths and English Functional Skills must be achieved prior to the End Point Assessment.

Additional training opportunity

Alongside the Apprenticeship Standard, Derby College will offer the opportunity for apprentices to complete the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning.  This is made up of 11 units which will embed the apprenticeship standard's behaviours, skills and knowledge expectations.

Units covered include:

• Understand child and young person development
• Understand how to safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people
• Communication and professional relationships with children, young people and adults
• Schools as organisations
• Support children and young people’s health and safety
• Support learning activities
• Promote children and young people’s positive behaviour
• Develop professional relationships with children, young people and adults
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people
• Support assessment for learning knowledge
• Engage in personal development in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings

How will I be assessed?

You will be formatively assessed through a range of written tasks, presentations, developmental professional discussions, developmental observations of your skills and practice in school, reflective practice and professional and personal development plans.

If you undertake a Supporting Teaching and Learning qualification as part of your apprenticeship, you will be assessed through this range of methods.  Your Functional Skills qualifications will be assessed through examinations. 

You will attend a weekly learning session on a Monday afternoon and other learning time is organised on a flexible basis to accommodate your employer’s needs and your own needs.  You will normally be required to attend College to achieve the Functional Skills qualifications. 

End Point Assessment

In order to evidence the Apprenticeship Standard and become an outstanding Teaching Assistant you must achieve the End Point Assessment (conducted by an external End Point Assessment Centre). The End Point Assessment involves:

• Observation
• Professional discussion
• Sharing your portfolio of evidence

Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?

No

What can I do after this course?

• Secure a permanent position as a Teaching Assistant in a school
• Progress to a Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants, or a Foundation Degree specialising in a particular pathway (Teaching Assistant, Early Years, Children and Young People’s Services, or SEND)

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