Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 3 with SEND
Best Practice Network is working with schools in your area to facilitate local group Teaching Assistant with SEND training.
Want to take part? Click the Apply Now button and fill in your application. Please select your organisation from the drop-down list under partner network.
Apply by the 22nd of December for the next intake, starting in February.
15-18 month programme
In Partnership with your school
Online and in-person training
Gain additional certificate in SEND
Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship
The Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship SEND Pathway is a comprehensive work-based training programme designed to equip teaching assistants with the essential knowledge and skills to support teachers and enhance pupil learning, both in groups and individually.
This specialised pathway focuses on developing an in-depth understanding of areas such as Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN), Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH), Dyslexia, and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
By partnering with your local delivery partner, we ensure that the training is tailored to the local context, providing valuable networking opportunities with fellow TAs in your area. The next cohort for these training groups will begin in February 2025. You can find out more about the programme in our brochure below.
Developing
Specialist Areas
Learners are able to choose an additional specialist area alongside the SEND pathway. For every additional specialism module, you will gain an accredited certificate.
If you choose to do more than one, this must be discussed with your tutor and employer.
There are four areas to choose from that will inform your practice and progress your career in the specialised area.
The four specialist areas are ➡️
Early Years (EY)
The focus of the Early Years specialism is good practice in nursery and reception that ensures children are given the best possible start to their schooling, in line with the principles and practices of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Selecting EAL will equip TAs to support pupils who may be at different stages of English language acquisition and who have different backgrounds and needs.
Behaviour
The behaviour specialism develops a deeper understanding of behaviour strategies to support children to behave in ways that help them and others to gain the most from their schooling.
Assessment
A specialism in assessment will support TAs' understanding of formative assessment techniques to; find out what children already know so that they can build on this, unpick children’s misconceptions, check learning within (as well as at the end of) lesson and be able to provide effective feedback to move learning forwards.
Who is it for?
The programme is for Teaching Assistants, or support staff who have support from their school to become a Teaching Assistant, looking to gain a qualification and progress their careers.
Learners must:
- Be employed as a Teaching Assistant and have support from their school and line manager
- Have GCSEs in English and maths at Grade C (4) or above or be able to achieve Level 2 English and maths Functional Skills whilst on programme
- Have 1 year experience in the role or similar roles
- Have held a residency in the UK for the last three years
How is it delivered?
The programme has 8 core modules that are taught over monthly half-day Face-to-Face or online events, online webinars, and work-related tasks. You will have a review with your Apprenticeship Tutor every 6 weeks, either in your school or online.
Once you have completed the modules and you, your Apprenticeship Tutor and school agree you are ready for the assessments, you will enter a 3-month End-Point-Assessment (EPA) period.
Funding
- This 18-month apprenticeship costs £7,000 but can be delivered at no cost to you or your setting if your setting is an Apprenticeship Levy payer
- If your setting doesn’t pay into the Apprenticeship Levy Fund, the government will pay 95% of your fees, with your setting contributing just 5%, which is £350. More details can be found on the Government website
- Our friendly apprenticeship team to confirm the availability of funding for your school
I chose the TA Level 3 Apprenticeship as I wanted to learn new skills, improve on those I already have, gain confidence and help children be the best. I have most enjoyed meeting TAs from other schools and discussing our practice."
Have any questions?
If you want to know more or have any questions, please get in touch at apprenticeships@bestpracticenet.co.uk