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Level 2 Certificate For Teaching Assistants Apply Now »
Location: Ilkeston
Years: 1
Weeks: 25
Hours: 3.00
Start: 06/01/2021
Days / Times: Wednesday 09:30 to 12:00
Tuition (£): 1250.00*
Concessions: 632.50***
Interview: Y
Course Summary
Are you starting your career as a teaching assistant in a school, college or other provider? Or are you maybe looking for a new career? This course is a fantastic introduction to the world of the teaching assistant. It is the first step on the ladder to developing your employability and personal skills. The course leads to a variety of other programmes that could move you up that ladder of progression.
With DCG you will have access to a wealth of support and additional courses that can complement your career development. If you need to gain a grade C or equivalent in GCSE English and/or Maths, you can work towards that here at College.
You will enjoy free access to our library and our online resources. You will receive training in accessing these. Additional support is on offer for you as needed.
What are the benefits?
This course will give you the confidence to see you can do great things. You will have the opportunity to build transferable skills such as:
- Developing confidence in using ICT to enhance your skill set
- Improving your interpersonal skills as a speaker, giving you the opportunity to share practical ideas and try them out in your role
- Making a difference to the educational development of your children and those children with whom you work
- Progressing your career as a teaching assistant
Entry requirements
You must be aged 19 or over and have evidence of:
- 6 - 8 hours per week (minimum) voluntary or employed work in a supporting role in a school setting. This must be classroom-based (from Year 1 upwards). If you haven't secured a placement, haven't studied for some time or are nervous of doing so, take a look at our 'Step Up' course
- A good standard of written and spoken English
Course Content
Teaching assistants work in primary, special and secondary education across all age ranges encompassing special educational needs and emotional vulnerabilities.
The primary role of the teaching assistant is to support the class teacher to enhance pupils’ learning either in groups or individually, ensuring pupils understand the work set, know their learning objectives and stay on task in order to make progress.
They promote self-belief, social inclusion and a high self-esteem as an integral part of pupils’ wellbeing, ensuring they thrive in a positive, nurturing, safe environment. It is an active role supporting the learner to access the curriculum.
They are good role models, act with honesty and integrity, take part in team meetings, and contribute to planning and class activities. Promoting Fundamental British Values through spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and positive behaviours is crucial in contributing to improved pupil progress and development.
You will develop knowledge, skills and professional behaviours holistically during this course, and use your work placement to practise what you learn. Your work in classrooms with children, young people or adults is critical in enabling you to develop confidence, understanding and practice. Alongside this, you will work towards your Level 2 qualification, thematically studying the following units:
- Understanding children and young people’s development
- Safeguarding children and young people
- Equality, diversity and inclusion in a learning environment for children and young people
- Understanding schools and colleges as organisations
- Maintaining relationships with children and young people
- Supporting the health and safety of children and young people
- Contributing to teamwork in a learning environment
- Supporting positive behaviour in a learning environment for children and young people
- Understanding children's and young people’s play and leisure
- Promoting an effective learning environment
- Providing displays in a learning environment
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed through a range of individual and group tasks, presentations, written tasks, professional discussions, observation of your practice in your school or college, reflective practice and continuous professional development. Assessment is continuous and is designed to develop your academic and communication skills and to build your confidence.
Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?
You will only need to provide stationery, including:
- 20 dividers
- Lever arch file to build a professional portfolio of practice
- Notebook and pens
- A4 plastic files to submit assignments
What can I do after this course?
You could:
- Secure a permanent position as a teaching assistant in a school, college or other provider
- Progress to a Level 3 Diploma for Teaching Assistants
- Obtain an Advanced Apprenticeship in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools contract with a school or other educational provider
Did you find the course information on this page useful?
* Tuition - This figure is the fee to be paid if you are not entitled to any concessions.
*** Co-Tuition - This figure is the fee to be paid if you are entitled to any partial concessions.
Sophie Nelson
Sophie finds true vocation thanks to Derby College
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 occupational 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%.
