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Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship

A Teaching Assistant works in Primary, Special and Secondary education across all age ranges encompassing special educational needs and emotional vulnerabilities.

The primary role of the Teaching Assistant is to support the class teacher to enhance pupils’ learning either in groups or individually, ensuring pupils understand the work set, know their learning objectives and stay on task in order to make progress. 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. It is an active role supporting the learner to access the curriculum. They are good role models, act with honesty and integrity, take part in team meetings; contribute to planning and class activities. Promoting Fundamental British Values through spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and positive behaviours are crucial in contributing to improved pupil progress and development.

Course Info

How to Apply

Knowledge

Knowledge	What is Required:
Understanding how pupils learn and develop	Understand the need to provide feedback to support and facilitate an appropriate level of independence. Comprehend appropriate levels of learning resources to identify and help address weakness, consolidate strengths and develop individualised expectations. Recognise different stages of child development through school, eg: transition between key stages.
Technology	Recognise the importance of using appropriate technology to support learning.
Working with teachers to understand and support assessment for learning	Understand the need to accurately observe, record and report on pupil’s participation, conceptual understanding and progress to improve practice and assessment for different groups of pupils. Understand the school’s assessment procedures for benchmarking against targets set by the class teacher. Be familiar with assessment materials.
Curriculum	An appropriate knowledge of the curriculum and context you are working in.
Keeping Children Safe in Education	Understand current statutory guidance including ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ Part 1, safeguarding policies, Prevent Strategy. Understand the importance of sharing relevant information, in a timely manner with the designated Safeguarding lead. Understand the importance of first aid procedures, recording/reporting incidents and a broad knowledge of Health & Safety Policy.

Skills

Skills	What is Required:
Developing strategies for support	Develop strategies to support and encourage pupils to move towards independent learning. Use appropriately varied vocabulary to ensure pupils’ understanding. Embed effective behaviour management strategies using discipline appropriately and fairly in line with the school’s policy. Deliver interventions in accordance with training given (RAG rating). Foster and encourage positive, effective, nurturing and safe learning environments inspiring pupils to take pride in and learn from their individual achievements. Recognise, adapt and respond to all pupils encompassing SEN/emotional vulnerabilities, for example, use Makaton, visual timetables.
Communication and team work	Work closely with teachers to ensure own contribution aligns with the teaching. Ensure regular communication with teachers to provide clarity and consistency of role within lessons. Deliver/lead small group teaching within clearly defined/planned parameters using initiative, sensitivity and understanding. Build appropriate relationships with colleagues, pupils, parents, adults and stakeholders. Comply with policy and procedures for sharing confidential information and know when and where to seek advice. Implement current statutory guidance including ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ Part 1, safeguarding policies, Prevent Strategy. Undertake safeguarding training every 3 years. Support pupils’ well-being whilst embedding the importance of online safety.
Working with teachers to accurately assess	Contribute to a range of assessment processes and use information effectively for example: written records. Use specific feedback to help pupils make progress. Apply good subject knowledge to support accurate assessment.
Using technology	Use school computer systems, including specialist software eg: online registration, intervention programmes and management information systems. Use relevant technology competently and effectively to improve learning. Ensure pupils use technology safely.
Problem solving/ability to motivate pupils	Use a range of strategies including scaffolding and open questioning skills to enable pupils to access and engage in learning. Recognise the difference between pastoral and academic issues and model good behaviour for learning.

Behaviours

Behaviours	What is Required:
Building relationships/ embracing change	Flexibility, trust, professional conduct, confidentiality and being respectful. Promote the school’s efforts to build positive behaviour for learning. Promote and exemplify positive behaviour and uphold the school ethos. Be enthusiastic and open to new ideas.
Adding value to education	Praise; provide constructive and specific feedback and support pupils, helping them to achieve their maximum potential socially, emotionally and academically through peer marking and reflection.
Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion	Keep pupils at the centre of everything. Promote community cohesion and cultural diversity encompassing a full understanding of the school’s ethos.
Professional standards and personal accountability	Demonstrate professional relationships in line with Staff Handbook. Be diplomatic, a positive role model and maintain confidentiality. Optimise learning opportunities and reflect on their personal development. Demonstrate a willingness to learn and improve personal skill set.
Team working, collaboration/ engagement	Work collaboratively and constructively with the whole school team. Engage professionally as appropriate with outside professionals.

Information for Applicants

What are the entry requirements?

Whilst any entry requirements will be a matter for individual employers, typically an apprentice might be expected to have already achieved 5 GCSEs, including Maths and English, Grade C or above or 4/5 (new grading). Some employers will accept other relevant qualifications and experience, including a relevant Level 2 qualification.

How often do I have to attend college?

Learners will be assessed in their work place. All evidence and written assessments are completed through our online platforms. Learners will receive support from an assessor throughout the duration of the qualification.

What can I do next?

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.

Assessment

This document sets out the requirements and process for the end-point assessment (EPA) of the Teaching Assistant Level 3 apprenticeship standard. It is written for end-point assessment organisations (EPAO) who need to know how the EPA for this apprenticeship must operate. It will also be of interest to teaching assistant apprentices, their employers and training providers.

Full time apprentices will spend typically 18 months on-programme working towards the apprenticeship standard, with a minimum of 20% off-the-job training.

The EPA should only start once the employer is satisfied that the apprentice is consistently working at, or above, the level set out in the standard, the pre-requisite gateway requirements for EPA have been met and that they can be evidenced to an EPAO. The employer may wish to take advice from the apprentice’s training provider(s).

As a gateway requirement, apprentices must achieve English and mathematics at level 2 prior to taking their EPA. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeships English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and a British Sign Language qualification is an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.

In addition, they will need to complete a portfolio of evidence to support the professional discussion.

The EPA must be completed within a 3 month period after the apprentice has met the EPA gateway requirements.

EPA must be conducted by an organisation approved to offer services against this standard, as selected by the employer, from the Education & Skills Funding Agency’s (ESFAs) Register of End-Point Assessment Organisations (RoEPAO).

The EPA consists of two distinct assessment methods:
 Practical observation with questions & answers
 Professional discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence.

Information for Employers

How is my business going to benefit from an Apprentice?

How can I fit this apprentice into my business?

The benefits are that you are going to be able to develop and grow apprentices appropriately to your work place needs, whilst supporting their chosen career path in supporting teaching and learning in schools.

Colchester Institute is here to help support this valuable process in a personalised way, so that we enhance the apprentices learning and contribute to your work place requirements.

What will this cost my business?

From April 2017 the way that government funds apprenticeships in England will be changing. All businesses operating within the UK with a wage bill of over £3 million will be required to contribute to the apprenticeship levy monthly via HMRC.

If the levy applies to your business you will be required to pay 0.5% of your entire wage bill into the levy. This will be offset against a levy allowance worth £15,000 for each tax year
You will only be able to use your levy payment for government backed apprenticeships through providers who are registered on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers
Levy payments will expire after 18 months.
From April 2017 all existing apprenticeship frameworks and new apprenticeship standards (often referred to as trailblazer standards) will be allocated to Government funding bands.

Funding bands determine the maximum amount of money that Government will contribute for the training delivery and end-point assessment of each apprenticeship. All approved apprenticeship standards have already been allocated to funding bandings with maximum funding caps.

If you take on an apprentice who is between 16 and 18 years old at the start of their apprenticeship, you will receive a payment to help meet the extra costs of employing them. This will be paid to you through the training provider in two £500 instalments at 3 months and 12 months if the apprentice continues in learning beyond this point.

Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 10% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship. Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account. Where there are no longer funds in this digital account the Government will co-invest 90% of the funding with the levy paying employer being the asked to contribute the remaining 10% on a monthly basis.

Levy paying employers can estimate their funding contributions through the use of the free Funding Apprenticeship Systems calculating tool.

The agreed funds will be taken from the employer’s digital account to pay the training provider, up to a maximum amount of funding allocated by Government to that particular apprenticeship.

For non-levy paying employers the Digital Apprenticeship Service will not be available until at least 2018. They will need to discuss and agree a price with their training provider.

Does the apprentice have to attend college?

What about support in the workplace?

You are required to support the apprentice throughout the duration of their course by providing an appropriate mentor, release time to meet with their assessor in the work place or release time to attend face to face workshops.

Why should I choose Colchester Institute to support my recruitment and retention?

Colchester Institute is the largest college provider of apprenticeships in Greater Essex. We are experts at connecting the right people, to the right training, to the right business – and when it comes to Apprenticeships, our Apprenticeship Advisors can support your business every step of the way.

As part of our service we can support your business with:

Advertising the Apprenticeship vacancy
Manage the applications received in line with your individual requirements
Match prospective candidates already known to us
Conduct initial pre-screening for candidates
Carry out visits to your premises alongside regular reviews to support you, your staff and your apprentice
Advice on any grants or funding where available

Our team will provide:

A fee free recruitment service.
Personal 1:1 Apprenticeship Levy advice and guidance.
A dedicated Account Manager.
Industry experienced, professional, technical trainers.
Bespoke programmes available upon request.
An Essex priority skills focus.
Free employer events.

Looking for a new career, job or maybe a qualification to take your current role to the next level?

Previously apprenticeships were primarily aimed towards 16-18 year olds but government reforms introduced in March 2017 mean that there is no longer an upper age limit for commencing an apprenticeship, even if you already possess a degree or higher level qualification (all applicants must be eligible for funding).

To apply for an apprenticeship please read through the information below and then select the correct application button from the menu located further down the page.

Aged between 15 and 18

The application window for joint applications for full-time courses and apprenticeships starting in September 2023 opened on Monday 3rd October at 12pm.

In order to study an apprenticeship you must have an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice and have an offer of employment in place by September, ready for enrolment.

The information below applies to those:

currently in year 11 and looking to study on an apprenticeship upon finishing school
currently in year 11 and looking to make a joint full-time and apprenticeship application, so that both options are available to be pursued upon finishing school (although you can apply for both options you will eventually need to choose between a full-time programme or apprenticeship, you cannot do both at the same time)
currently in year 12* on a full-time course and looking to find an apprenticeship to start after the end of the summer term

If you are interested in an Apprenticeship but do not yet have a contract of employment from an employer, we strongly advise you to apply for a full-time programme as well so you have a back-up. We will process both your full-time application and apprenticeship application until you inform us that you have secured an employer and have an Apprenticeship contract in place, at which point your apprenticeship application will take priority.

If you do have an employer with an Apprenticeship contract of employment in place, we still strongly advise that you apply for a full-time programme as well so you that you have a back-up in case this falls through.

Once you have read the above please click the button ’15 – 18 Years – Apply Online’ in the menu underneath this section and you will be taken to the next stage of the application process.

*If you are currently in year 12 and 13, but looking to find an apprenticeship and switch mid-year then please contact our Apprenticeship Admissions Team where they will advise you on suitable vacancies.

01206 712043 – Apprenticeship Admissions or email:

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

Aged 19+

In order to study an apprenticeship you must have an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice and with an offer of employment in place.

Please read through the information below and follow the information that applies to your current status.

If you do have an employer with an Apprenticeship contract of employment in place then please click the button ’19+ Years – How to Apply’ located in the menu underneath this section, where you will be taken to the next stage of the application process.

I am already in employment and my employer would like to put me through an apprenticeship

If you are already in employment then please contact our Apprenticeship Admissions Team where they will work with you and your employer to complete the sign-up and enrolment onto the programme.

01206 712043 – Apprenticeship Admissions or email:

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

I don’t have an employer

If you do not have a contract offer of employment from an employer in place then there are other options available to you:

Apply for a vacancy

Employers can recruit for apprentice positions all year round. We have apprenticeship vacancies listed on our website throughout the year in a variety of industries and with employers small, medium and large.

View our live vacancies

Join Our Talent Pool

All you have to do is complete and submit our Talent Pool application form, attend a pre-screening assessment/interview and be available when contacted. We will then send your details along with your profile to employers looking for an apprentice, inform you if you are selected for interview, and send you guidance to prepare you for interview.

Join our Talent Pool

If you are unsure about any of the above and would like to speak to our apprenticeships team directly then please contact us using the below:

01206 712043 – Applicant Enquiries or email:

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

Employer Enquiries

If you would be interested to find out more about how this apprenticeship can work for your business or already have a member of staff who this apprenticeship would be perfect for please contact us using the ‘Hire an Apprentice: Enquire Here’ button in the menu below.

Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship

Course Outline: Designed for learning support staff with a working role which requires competence in a specialist area

Starting employment as an apprentice can occur throughout the year. However, the start date for attending college for training, where required, or if delivered online, when sessions begin, will vary depending on the type of apprenticeship and will be communicated post-employment and sign-up.

Level	Level 3
Location	Colchester
Duration	The course can be achieved in 12-18 months
Campus / Adult Skills Centre	Colchester Campus
Apprenticeship Funding Band (Levy paying employers)	£5,000
Employer Contribution Fee (Non-levy paying employers)	£250

15 – 18 Years – Apply Online 19+ Years – How To Apply Apprenticeship Enquiry Line: 01206 712 043 Open Event Updates Latest Apprenticeship Vacancies

Hire an Apprentice: Enquire Here Employer Enquiry Line: 01206 712 727 Register a Vacancy Employer Information Events : Book Your Place Join our mailing list

What will this cost my Business?

Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 5% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship. Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account.

Apprenticeship Funding Bands

Apprenticeship Funding Bands
Employers with less than 50 employees who are recruiting an apprentice aged 16-18 years old will not be required to pay the contribution fee. Any associated cost to the individual will be made clear at the interview.

During my time on this course I have had many different experiences, which I have learnt and developed professionally from. I have been able to go on various trips with my work placement, whilst having the chance to apply new knowledge in my work environment, which has helped me to deepen my understanding and develop my confidence.

During my time on the course I received amazing support from my assessor, who encouraged me to challenge myself to the best of my ability, whilst supporting me through my study and in my work environment.Bella Clark 17/02/2017 (STLS L3 at Cann Hall Primary School)

Disclaimer

All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2022-23 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.

The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.