Outline
The Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship is designed for experienced teaching assistants who wish to develop specialist skills to support pupils with additional needs and contribute to improved educational outcomes.
Specialist Teaching Assistants work alongside teachers and other professionals to provide targeted support for learners. They may specialise in areas such as Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Social and Emotional Wellbeing, Literacy and Numeracy Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL), or Curriculum Provision. They play a key role in helping pupils overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential.
Apprentices will develop advanced knowledge and skills to provide specialist support for children and young people within educational settings. This includes gaining an understanding of child and adolescent development, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), inclusive teaching and learning strategies, and behaviour management techniques. Apprentices will build practical skills in supporting social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, safeguarding and child protection, speech, language and communication, and delivering literacy and numeracy interventions. They will also develop confidence in assessing and monitoring learner progress, adapting curriculum activities, and working collaboratively with teachers, parents and external agencies. Throughout the programme, apprentices will strengthen their understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion, while promoting learner independence and resilience, applying evidence-based practice, and developing their professional reflection and continuous improvement skills.
Apprentices will learn how to plan and deliver targeted interventions, support learners with a range of additional needs, monitor progress, and contribute to strategies that improve educational outcomes and wellbeing.
Assessment
Apprentices will receive personalised support throughout their programme, including monthly one-to-one sessions with a dedicated Trainer Assessor, workplace-based learning and development, and online learning activities. Functional Skills support will also be provided where required to help apprentices develop essential skills and achieve their qualifications. In addition, apprentices will have the opportunity to attend optional monthly workshops and masterclasses at Frontier House, providing valuable opportunities to enhance their professional skills, expand their workplace knowledge, network with other apprentices, and support their ongoing personal and professional development.
Mandatory Qualifications
There are no mandatory Teaching Assistant qualifications named in this standard, however, there is the option of including a Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching & Learning.
End Point Assessment
The end point assessment is synoptic, and takes place at the end of the apprentice’s learning and development. The requirement is that the end point assessment is completed within three months from the start of the end point assessment period. The end point assessment is made up of the following components:
- A practical observation with questions
- A professional discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence
Apprentices will receive comprehensive support and preparation throughout the programme to help them successfuly complete the assessment.
Entry Requirements
Each organisation will have their own entry requirements, and must be able to provide opportunities to work towards this apprenticeship as part of the job role.
Typically, applicants will require:
- GCSE English and maths at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
- Employment within a suitable school or educational setting.
- Experience of working in a teaching assistant or learning support role.
- A commitment to supporting children and young people to achieve their full potential.
Funding may be available to cover this apprenticeship, please contact us for more information on eligibility.
* Fees
Don’t let the cost of studying put you off – most of our students study for FREE, and those who don’t qualify for funding are very often eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.
Eligibility depends on both the course you have chosen to study and your individual circumstances.
Apply
To add a course to your application, click 'Apply', once you have selected all your courses, click 'My Applications' top right, to continue the application process.
Select your choice below:
Name
Available At
Start Date
Fee
Apply
Academic Yr
26/27
Name
Specialist teaching assistant
Available At
Frontier House
Start Date
N/A
Fee
£*
Don’t let the cost of studying put you off – most of our students study for FREE, and those who don’t qualify for funding are very often eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.
Eligibility depends on both the course you have chosen to study and your individual circumstances.
Please confirm you are applying to start in the
Academic Year