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Teaching assistant
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Level 3 Teaching Assistant
What does a teaching assistant (TA) do?
Teaching assistants (TA) work in Primary, Special and Secondary schools or other educational settings. A TA supports the class teacher with day-to-day classroom tasks and helps children or young people with their educational and social development.
The TAs role is to enhance pupils' learning, some teaching assistants work one-to-one, while others work in small groups.
Some schools will employ TAs with particular specialisms, for example literacy, numeracy, special educational needs (SEN), music or physical education
Promoting self-belief, social inclusion and a high self-esteem play an integral part to pupils' well being; ensuring pupils thrive in a positive, nurturing, safe environment is a large part of a TAs role.
What does their day-to-day role look like?
The roles and responsibilities of teaching assistants are varied and differ between schools. Your job can include:
- Getting the classroom ready for lessons
- Listening to children read
- Helping children who need extra support to complete tasks
- Helping teachers to plan learning activities and complete records
- Supporting teachers in managing class behaviour
- Supervising group activities
- Looking after children who are upset or have had accidents
- Helping with outings and sports events
- Taking part in training and carrying out administrative tasks
It is also your responsibility to support pupils with particular individual needs.
In all TA roles you will need to show empathy, patience and a positive attitude, in order to support all pupils learning. You will also have a responsibility for ensuring that they implement good practice with regards to safeguarding children and Health and Safety.
Career progression
As well as ensuring full competency as a Teaching Assistant, this standard provides a foundation for potential progression into a number of other roles in the Educational sector including:
- Higher Level Teaching Assistant
- Teacher
- Assistant Teacher
Duration of apprenticeship
Usually, 15 to 18 months.
Qualifications needed prior to completion of apprenticeship
Apprentices without english or maths at level 2 must achieve this prior to taking their End Point Assessment. For those with an Education, Health and Care Plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeships english and maths minimum requirement is entry level 3. A British Sign Language qualification is an alternative to english qualifications for whom this is their primary language.
End Point Assessment (EPA)
When your training is complete, we will make the decision, along with your employer, to put you forward to your End Point Assessment (EPA). This is the final process in your apprenticeship, it is an assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you would have learn throughout the apprenticeship
This will involve an independent Assessor visiting you in your workplace to complete the following:
- Practical observation (with question and answer session)
- Professional discussion (with portfolio of evidence included)
Your employer, your assessor and the W2W team will support you through the EPA. For more information about the process, you can contact the W2W team at [email protected]
When you have successfully completed your apprenticeship and passed your EPA, you will be awarded a certificate.
Please click here to view the full scheme of work for the Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification.
Becoming a teaching assistant is a rewarding job, not only will you be making a real difference to the lives of pupils, your work will benefit their families, the school and the local community.
Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant
What does a Specialist Teaching Assistant do?
This occupation is found in primary, secondary, special schools, alternative provision, further education institutions such as sixth forms and colleges, and a range of other education settings such as music hubs. Specialist teaching assistants will work alongside colleagues to inspire learners to progress and achieve well. Specialist teaching assistants work across all age ranges, supporting a range of learners. In the Early Years, specialisms are achieved through continuing professional development opportunities subsequent to staff achieving a recognised qualification which enables them to work in a setting in accordance with the Early Years qualification requirements and standards.
What does their day-to-day role look like?
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with learners and teachers, or others acting in a supervisory capacity. They may work with other education professionals such as SENCO's, and external agencies such as early help, social services, or agencies that provide specialised support in the area of specialist provision.
Career progression
Academic mentor, Drama teaching assistant, Higher level teaching assistant, Learning mentor, Music educator, Pe teaching assistant, Send teaching assistant, Social and emotional, well-being teaching assistant, Specialist education support ,Specialist learning assistant, Specialist learning support, Specialist teaching assistant, Subject teaching assistant.
Duration of apprenticeship
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 24 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months. However, there are accelerated apprenticeship options available based on the credentials of apprentices meaning that the apprenticeship can be completed in a shorter period of time.
Qualifications needed prior to completion of apprenticeship
As of February 2025, the government announced that apprentices who are aged 19+ at the start of their apprenticeship training no longer require maths and English as part of apprenticeship completion rules. This applies to all learners currently on an apprenticeship as well as new apprenticeship starters.
Some employers will still require applicants to already have English and maths qualifications prior to starting apprenticeships or during them however for other employers this will no longer be a requirement for their apprenticeships so please make sure to read the English and maths requirements for apprenticeships when you complete your application.
End Point Assessment (EPA)
When your training is complete, we will make the decision, along with your employer, to put you forward to your End Point Assessment (EPA). This is the final process in your apprenticeship, it is an assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you would have learn throughout the apprenticeship
This will involve an independent Assessor visiting you in your workplace to complete the following:
- Practical observation (with question and answer session)
- Professional discussion (with portfolio of evidence included)
Your employer, your assessor and the W2W team will support you through the EPA. For more information about the process, you can contact the W2W team at [email protected]
When you have successfully completed your apprenticeship and passed your EPA, you will be awarded a certificate.
Get in touch
Take up this opportunity and we can make this career a reality for you - join our Level 3 Teaching Assistant or Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant programme today!
- Please click here to view our current vacancies
- Please click here to express your interest