Introduction to Being a Teaching Assistant (April start)
This course will prepare you for your next steps towards a full qualification in Learning Support and could be the start of an exciting and challenging new career.
Course Summary

Course Information for Students
Who is this course for?
Are you ready to take your first steps to a new career supporting children, young people and/or adults to make good progress with their education? Is the time now right for you to build your career? Our new ‘Step Into’ programme will provide you with a useful insight into educational support, the rewards it can bring and the career routes available.
You will be prepared for your next steps towards a full qualification in Learning Support and an exciting and challenging new career. You will gain the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours to support learning across a range of educational institutions. Course content includes:
- Building confidence, interview skills and employability
- How to gain a placement in a school or college so you can take the next step towards your career
- Developing study skills and getting used to writing again
- Keeping children and young people safe
- Educational policy and procedures
- SEND support and ways of working
- Theory and models of reflective practice
- Identifying and engaging with continuing professional development
- An introduction to Virtual Learning Environments
- Developing your maths and English with BKSB
What are the benefits to you?
Specific Skills
- Knowledge of specific educational policy applicable to the role
Transferable Skills
- Interview and employability skills
- English, maths and digital skills
- Effective communication with other professionals
- Reflective practice
- Building resilience
- Collaborative working
Entry Requirements
- An interest in working in an educational setting to enhance learning or support the development of pupils and/or students
- A desire to succeed and become a qualified Teaching Assistant or Educational Support Worker
Please Note
What will you learn?
- Building confidence, interview skills and employability
- How to gain a placement in a school or college so you can take the next step towards your career
- Developing study skills and getting used to writing again
- Keeping children and young people safe
- Educational policy and procedures
- SEND support and ways of working
- Theory and models of reflective practice
- Identifying and engaging with continuing professional development
- An introduction to Virtual Learning Environments
- Developing your maths and English with BKSB
How will you learn?
This course will be delivered on-site (classroom-based). The programme will be delivered by our experienced specialist learning support team in a once-a-week session. Teaching is designed to support you to build your confidence, so you are ready and motivated to take the next step. Upon completion of this course, you will receive a College Achievement Certificate, and this can help you progress your career.
What will you need to bring with you?
N/A
How will you be assessed?
You will be assessed through completion of an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), with agreed specific tasks that might include short pieces of written work, group discussion, a mock interview, participation in group discussions, reflections on developing self, and even collaborative presentations. Working with your teacher, you will adapt your ILP tasks to match your starting points, career aspirations and current level of skills.
Where next?
- Progress to a Level 2 Award or Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning
- Consider gaining an apprenticeship position in Supporting Teaching and Learning to earn while you learn
- Seek a placement to gain valuable on-the-job experience in a school or college
Who do you contact for more information?
For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk
Course Information for Employers
Information for Employers
Career Information
This course could lead to one of these careers...
£0
£0
Nursery Education Teaching Professionals
£27676
Primary Education Teaching Professionals
£34145
Further Education Teaching Professionals
£32919
Higher Education Teaching Professionals
£41398
DCG Success Stories
Discover how our students have achieved success. Their hard work and dedication to learning has enabled them to succeed in rewarding careers or progress onto higher education.

We encourage progress and aspirational outcomes by guiding people onto learning pathways that lead to positive destinations. Our students have gone on to achieve great things since leaving the College. We would like to share some of their inspiring success stories with you.
Course Information Last Updated On: February 14, 2025 9:38 am