Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard in Teaching Assistant

Course Code: P267495

Key Information

  • Course type

    Apprenticeships

  • Campus:

    Highbury Campus

  • Start Date:

    September 2025

  • Duration:

    Flexible

  • Attendance:

    One day a week

  • Fees:

    Free

Female student seen with young child as part of her Level 3 Teaching Assistant Pathways Apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is suitable for anyone who has a genuine interest in the development and support of children through their key stages, working within a school setting.

Units include:

  • recognising different stages of child development through school
  • the importance of using appropriate technology to support learning
  • understanding the need to accurately observe, record and report on pupil’s participation, conceptual understanding and progress
  • an appropriate knowledge of the curriculum and context you are working in
  • the importance of sharing relevant information in a timely manner with the designated safeguarding lead
  • developing strategies to support and encourage pupils to move towards independent learning
  • using school computer systems, including specialist software
  • working closely with teachers to ensure your contribution aligns with the teaching.

Teaching assistants work in primary, special and secondary education across all age ranges, encompassing special educational needs and emotional vulnerabilities. Your primary role is to support the class teacher to enhance group or individual learning, ensuring pupils understand the work set, know their learning objectives and stay on task in order to make progress.

To successfully complete the apprenticeship, you will need both maths and English at grade 4 or above, or Functional Skills Level 2. If necessary, one of these can be studied at College alongside your apprenticeship.

The majority of work will be completed in the workplace. Attendance to College is required and will consist of a minimum of 3 hours a week. Additional attendance at College may be required to complete Functional Skills (if needed). Your assessor will liaise with you to set up mutually convenient times for consultation and assessment visits at your place of work.

You will spend 6 hours of your apprenticeship working towards your off-the-job learning, which can consist of College attendance, homework/coursework, project related work, employer training, mentoring, and coaching – plus a number of other tasks (more information can be shared).

Apprentices build a portfolio of work and workplace assessors will be in regular contact to provide support, and to arrange on-site visits to observe the apprentices’ ability and skills in their daily role. It is important for the apprentice to take ownership of their own learning by seeking out opportunities to gain new skills on the job with the employer. The apprentice’s final grade will be determined by collective performance in the three assessments in the endpoint assessment.

You will learn through a mix of work-related activities and independent study and research. Assessment is on a continuous basis with a number of assessments in each module. Assessments take a variety of forms, such as written reports, witness statements, observations and professional discussions, These can be College based or distance learning.

School Leavers under the age of 19 do not have to pay fees on any full time courses, though may have to pay for their second year if turning 19 during their studies. If you’re aged 19 or over you might qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. It’s easy to apply for and you won’t have to pay anything back until you’re earning over £25,000. If you are studying a part-time course and you receive one of the following benefits, or you depend financially on someone who does, you may be entitled to have your tuition fees waived: Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support. You will, however, have to pay any awarding body/assessment fees (unless you are on a first full level 2 course). * If you are in receipt of Working Tax Credit or receive other allowances, you may be eligible to claim concessionary rates. If you are entitled to a fee concession you will be asked to provide proof of your entitlement. It is essential that you inform us if your entitlement changes at any time during your course.

As well as ensuring full competency as a teaching assistant, this standard provides a foundation for potential progression into a number of career paths in the educational sector including higher level teaching assistant, assistant teacher and teacher.

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