DCG offers a range of high-quality education programmes and works in partnership with the University of Derby. Its Teacher Training provision was graded outstanding at its last Ofsted inspection.
Mentoring is – and has been for centuries – the foundation of vocational training and apprenticeship development. It is central to work-based learning provision, further, adult and higher education, offender learning and the voluntary sector.
Apprenticeships are expected to expand significantly, and this qualification will enhance your employment opportunities and employability. We can tailor the learning to meet your job role and the needs of your employer.
What are the benefits for employers?
The programme offers a work-based route to developing and qualifying mentors who work with learners and apprentices in a range of settings
The role can actively promote learning in the workplace, and promote engagement and inclusion for learners in all settings
For schools and organisations required to pay the Apprenticeship Levy, it offers a return on that levy and supports organisations to meet the Government target of employing apprentices
In order to evidence the Apprenticeship Standards and become an outstanding Learning Mentor who has a positive impact on apprentice or learner development, you will work towards a set of qualifications bespoke to your needs and the needs of your employer. You will achieve:
Depending on your role, your employer may also wish you to achieve:
You will be assessed through review cycles that allow you to develop and maintain an effective portfolio of evidence. The portfolio allows you to show exemplar practice by demonstrating the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship standard. This will be through developmental observations of your competency and professional discussions that allow you to demonstrate comprehension. The end-point assessment will consist of:
You will have study time to work with your assessor one-to-one and will attend small group teaching workshops. These will support you to prepare for end-point assessment which is conducted by an independent end-point assessment centre.
Learning time is organised on a flexible basis to accommodate your employer’s needs and your own needs, although you will normally be required to attend College to achieve the Functional Skills qualifications.
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Former Derby College student Sophie Nelson is looking forward to starting a degree in occupational therapy next year. But Sophie, who has completed her Higher Level Teaching Assistants course at the Roundhouse “never in a million years” thought she would be going to university.
She said: “I wasn’t that confident in my own abilities and didn’t think I was good enough. At school I put my focus into making people laugh rather than learning but as I’ve grown up I‘ve realised the importance of studying, and that it’s never too late... I’m capable of doing everything that’s required of me on a degree course, including the referencing and academic writing. Thanks to Derby College I feel like I can do anything and would recommend the HLTA course 100%.”
Sophie who is 27 and originally from Mickleover, thought she wanted to be a police officer when she first left school so took levels 2 and 3 of the Public Services course at Broomfield Hall.
She added: “We had to do a lot of volunteering on that course so I volunteered at St Andrews Academy in Derby, a school for 11 to 19-year-olds with special educational needs. I absolutely loved it. I realised exactly what I wanted to do, so, after finishing college, I went on to work as a teaching assistant at other special schools. Before that I’d always known I wanted a job which would benefit the community, but not teach.”
To further her knowledge, Sophie enrolled on the level four course for higher level teaching assistants, which she completed in 2019.
Due to take up her place at Derby University in September 2021, she is soon to start a new job in a secondary school. In her role as student engagement and learning mentor, Sophie will be supporting students with learning difficulties resulting from social, emotional or behavioural issues.
She added: “Once I have finished my degree I would like to be an occasional therapist, specialising in supporting children with special needs to live the most fulfilling life possible. My mum worked for Leicestershire Disabled Children’s Service and at a young age I was aware of special needs and the importance of inclusion.”
I wasn’t that confident in my own abilities and didn’t think I was good enough. At school I put my focus into making people laugh rather than learning but as I’ve grown up I‘ve realised the importance of studying, and that it’s never too late... I’m capable of doing everything that’s required of me on a degree course, including the referencing and academic writing. Thanks to Derby College I feel like I can do anything and would recommend the HLTA course 100%.