Course Overview
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. Promoting self-belief, social inclusion and a high self-esteem play an integral part to pupils’ well-being; ensuring pupils 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; contribute to planning and class activities. Promoting Fundamental British Values through spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and positive behaviours are crucial in contributing to improved pupil progress and development.
What will I learn?
A range of knowledge, skills and behaviours are required from learners in order to complete this apprenticeship.
Some of these include the following:
- Understanding how pupils learn and develop
Recognise different stages of child development through school, for example transitioning between key stages.
- Working with teachers to understand and support assessment for learning
Understand the need to accurately observe, record and report on pupil’s participation, conceptual understanding and progress to improve practice and assessment for different groups of pupils.
- Keeping Children Safe in Education
Understand the importance of sharing relevant information, in a timely manner with the designated Safeguarding lead.
- Developing strategies for support
Develop strategies to support and encourage pupils to move towards independent learning.
- Working with teachers to accurately assess
Use specific feedback to help pupils make progress.
This is just an example of what is covered. Other details about what is covered in the course will be discussed with the assessor upon application and enrolment to the course.
Study, Assessment and Qualifications
In order to complete this qualification, apprentices need to complete 20% off-the-job training during the on-programme phase of their apprenticeship. Specific rules govern this, and it must take place in the apprentice’s contracted hours. This will be explained to you in more detail upon application by your assessor.
As part of completing this apprenticeship, learners will need to undertake an End Point Assessment. This will include an observation and professional discussion. This will be discussed with your assessor upon enrolment to the apprenticeship to cover this in full detail. As a gateway requirement, apprentices must achieve English and mathematics at level 2 prior to taking their EPA. The EPA must be completed within a 3 month period after the apprentice has met the EPA gateway requirements.
Entry Requirements
A level 2 qualification on entry to this course would be preferable, or relevant experience within the sector.
If learners don’t already hold Maths and English at Level 2, they will be required to complete these alongside the completion of this apprenticeship. These must be achieved prior to completing the End Point Assessment, which is detailed further below.
Additional Costs and Information
Learners will be given 18 months to complete this apprenticeship.
