Teaching Assistant Level 3

This occupation is found in primary, secondary, and special schools, alternative provision, and further education institutions such as sixth forms and colleges. Teaching Assistants work across all age ranges, supporting all learners. The broad purpose of the occupation is to support the class teacher to enhance learners’ progress and development, either in groups or individually. Teaching Assistants ensure that learners understand their work, know their learning objectives, and display positive learning behaviours in order to make progress. They deliver individual and small group teaching and apply a range of strategies to support learners of different abilities under the professional direction and supervision of a qualified teacher.

Teaching Assistants may also support learners with special educational needs and disabilities, and learners with social, emotional, and mental health vulnerabilities.

Learning will be built around the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) set out in the apprenticeship standard. Examples include:

Knowledge

• The importance of providing feedback.
• The learning resources available to support learners and how to use them.
• The stages of development for children and young people.
• The principles of target setting to support the next steps in learning.
• The impact of transition on learners and strategies to support them.
• How technology can support learning.
• The learning, assessment, and feedback cycle.
• Methods of formative assessment.
• Methods of observing, recording, and reporting.
• The curriculum intent, how it is implemented, and the intended impact.
• Prevent, safeguarding, and health and safety legislation, guidance, and procedures.
• Teaching strategies to deliver learning activities and interventions (for example, scaffolding and open questioning).
• How to adapt communication strategies to suit the audience and context.
• Types of learning intervention.
• How to support learners’ well-being, mental health, and pastoral needs, including referral to other professionals or services.
• The pastoral and academic behaviours learners may display.
• The impact of enrichment activities on learners.

Skills

• Apply strategies to support and encourage the development of independent learners.
• Adapt communication strategies for the audience and context.
• Apply behaviour management strategies in line with organisational policy.
• Adapt resources to support all learners.
• Communicate with teachers to ensure clarity of the Teaching Assistant’s role.
• Apply teaching strategies to deliver learning activities or interventions.
• Build relationships with learners, teachers, other professionals, and stakeholders.
• Comply with legislation, guidance, and procedures for Prevent, safeguarding, and health and safety.
• Support the well-being and mental health of learners.
• Observe, record, and report on learners in line with organisational procedures.
• Apply methods of formative assessment.
• Use up-to-date technology safely to support learning.
• Encourage safe use of technology by learners.
• Adapt teaching strategies to support all learners (for example, scaffolding and open questioning).
• Identify and respond to pastoral and academic behaviours in learners.
• Provide feedback to learners.

Behaviours

• Act professionally and respectfully with the whole school community.
• Be a positive role model, upholding and exemplifying the organisation's values.
• Respect and promote equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Be committed to improving their own delivery through reflective practice.
• Work collaboratively and constructively with the whole school community.

A blend of on-the-job and academic learning

Most learning is on-the-job, guided by your employer and Instructor-Mentor. You will attend Buxton Campus every 6-8 weeks and receive regular workplace visits from your Instructor-Mentor for observations, professional discussions, and progress reviews.

How you are assessed

The Apprenticeship Assessment is the final stage of every apprenticeship. It checks overall competence, not just individual tasks, and gives apprentices the chance to demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) they have developed. For this apprenticeship, there are two elements: an observation in the workplace by an independent assessor, followed by questions and a professional discussion based on the portfolio of evidence submitted by the apprentice, which is collated throughout the apprenticeship. 

• Enhance your teaching skills
  Develop practical skills in supporting classroom learning, managing pupil behaviour, and assisting with lesson planning, preparing you for a rewarding role in education.
• Gain valuable experience
  Work directly with students across various age groups and educational settings, providing hands-on experience that is highly regarded in the education sector.
• Achieve a recognised qualification
  Earn a Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification, with the option to progress to a Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship for more focused expertise.
• Open pathways for career progression
  This apprenticeship can lead to advanced roles such as Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) or higher-level teaching assistant positions, with potential for further professional development.

We require learners to have a minimum of four Grade 4 or above GCSEs, including Maths and English. 

Additionally;

• You will need to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of the application. Applicants will be supported to complete this.
• You must have the right to work in the UK and have lived in the UK for at least the past three years.
• As this is an apprenticeship, you will also require suitable employment to undertake the programme.

Apprenticeships are funded by either the employer or the government; apprentices do not pay for their training.

Contact us

FE & Skills Apprenticeship Team

• Email: feapprenticeships@derby.ac.uk
• Phone: 0800 074 0099