Introduction
Develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to provide specialist support to learners in your setting via this Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship. Building on your previous experience as a Teaching Assistant or Learning Support Assistant, you’ll plan, implement, and adapt activities in order to advance learning.
In addition to covering a set of core competencies, such as overcoming barriers to learning, planning and assessment, communication, and professionalism, you’ll choose from three specialisms:
- SEND specialist teaching assistants support the implementation of SEND policy, processes, and procedure. If you choose this specialism, you will advance learning for those learners with special educational needs and disabilities.
- Social and emotional well-being specialist teaching assistants support the implementation of policy, processes, and procedure in this area. If you choose this specialism, you will focus on learners’ social and emotional well-being, to advance learning.
- Curriculum provision specialist teaching assistants provide support for learners in a specialist curriculum or subject area of expertise. If you choose this specialism, you will be advancing learning through delivering interventions, supporting a specific subject area, or supporting provision for learners with English as an additional language (EAL).
This apprenticeship programme will be delivered by our sister company, Educational and Sporting Futures (ESF), an Ofsted ‘outstanding’ apprenticeship provider. The course is being co-designed by SEND experts from Real Training and ESF and will be able to be fully funded using the Government’s Apprenticeship Levy. For more details please see our information about funding.
Key elements of the Specialist Teaching Assistant role include:
- Establishing relationships with learners, families, other professionals and external agencies to support the education of the learners they work with.
- Contributing to the development of a sense of inclusion and belonging for the benefit of the learners within the communities that they serve.
- Utilising research to develop a critical understanding of the chosen specialist area.
- Utilising their expertise to participate in the review of teaching and assessment practices, as well as to promote sustainability within their educational environment.
- Reflecting on their own practices and support the training and development of others within their specialist area.
Programme overview
This programme will provide apprentices with everything they need to successfully carry out the duties of the role, and evidence the knowledge, skills and behaviours outlined in the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship standard.
Course details
Please note: This apprenticeship is currently in development. Course details will be updated shortly.
How is the course assessed?
You will have termly progress reviews in which you’ll celebrate your growth and successes and discuss challenges you have been facing. These will be scheduled with your Mentor and Apprenticeship Coach at a time that is convenient for you.
The final progress review is combined with a Gateway Review. Once you have completed this, you’ll then undertake the End-Point Assessment (EPA). The EPA for this programme involves:
- Observation with questions
- Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
The result from these assessments is combined to form your overall apprenticeship grade (fail, pass, merit or distinction).
How much does the course cost?
The funding band for this programme has not yet been finalised, however it is anticipated that it will be £12,000. The cost will be able to be fully funded using the Apprenticeship Levy.
If your employer (school, nursery, MAT, or local authority) is an apprenticeship-levy paying employer (i.e. they have a wage bill in excess of £3m) then 100% of the apprenticeship is paid for from the employer’s levy pot. You will need to gain approval to access your employer’s levy and we advise that you discuss details with your business manager / financial director prior to registration.
If your employer does not pay the Apprenticeship Levy then the Government will fund 95% of the apprenticeship and your employer will need to commit to paying 5% of the fee, which is £700. ESF should be able to support your school or nursery to reclaim this £700 via a process known as Levy Transfer.
When does the course start?
We anticipate that the first cohort will start in November 2024.
Please complete this expression of interest form to ensure you receive the latest updates regarding the start date.
I’m interested. How can I find out more?
This apprenticeship is currently in development, however we’d love to keep you up-to-date with the latest information. Please complete this expression of interest form.
About Educational and Sporting Futures (ESF)
Educational and Sporting Futures are an Ofsted Outstanding and Award Winning Apprenticeship Provider that is part of Real Group. ESF is led by Teachers and Educational Psychologists and they focus on designing and delivering apprenticeships that work for teachers, teaching assistants, sports coaches and schools. Recently Real Training has been working more closely with ESF so that we can also incorporate our SEND courses into high-quality apprenticeships.
ESF delivers apprenticeships through Sporting Futures (UK) Training Ltd (this is the company on the apprenticeship register and also part of Real Group Ltd).
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