Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard in Teaching Assistant

A minimum of one year work experience in a Teaching Assistant role is desirable but not essential. You will need to have Level Two Maths and English (GCSE at Grade Four/C or above or equivalent) or be prepared to attend a block study period for Maths and English if this is required.

You will need to be in a relevant role and show a willingness to undertake the knowledge, skills and behaviours required. You will ideally be working in Year One and above. You can work in a Reception class but will also need to spend a minimum of two days working with children Year One and above to be able to fulfil the requirements of the apprenticeship.

You may be required to attend an interview and undertake relevant skills assessments.

Once you have been accepted onto the programme you will be required to attend a Lincoln College Induction. You will also require access to a tablet/computer to access your e-portfolio.

Assessment is done through a combination of practical tasks, written assignments, oral discussions and online tests throughout the programme:

• One-to-one support from a dedicated, professional assessor/instructor allocated to you for the duration of the programme.

• Work based assignments and projects to be completed in an e-portfolio.

• Case studies and in College course days as and when required for each learner.

• Job shadowing and mentoring, cross training in other departments.

• Independent learning and research as directed by the assessor, relevant to the area of study.

• Review of progress every four to ten weeks with you, your manager and assessor, evaluating and contributing to what has been learnt and what the next steps to take are.

End Point Assessment

There will be an End Point Assessment (EPA) as the final stage of an Apprenticeship. You must demonstrate your learning to an independent end point assessor and the overall grade available is distinction, pass or fail.

• Practical Observation with Questions & Answers: 120 mins of practical observation followed by 15 min Q&A.

• Professional Discussion supported by portfolio of evidence: 90mins

• Portfolio of Evidence: The portfolio of evidence should contain a minimum of 10 pieces of evidence and a maximum of 15.

Progression

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.

Lincoln College have facilities at Lincoln and Newark to deliver training to apprentices. High quality of teaching by qualified and experienced industry experts; an excellent balance of theory and practical sessions. Training can be delivered on a 1:1 basis in the workplace, day release or bespoke training programmes to meet your requirements. Our employers are actively involved in the training with assessments carried out in the workplace. Through partnership collaboration your apprentice’s progression and development will be supported and reviewed regularly through face to face and remote contact through the use of an e-portfolio.

Knowledge

Technical Knowledge and Understanding

• Understand the need to provide feedback to support and facilitate an appropriate level of independence. Comprehend appropriate levels of learning resources to help address weakness, strengths and develop expectations.

• Recognise different stages of child development through school.

• Recognise the importance of using appropriate technology to support learning.

• Understand the need to accurately observe, record and report on learner’s participation, conceptual understanding and progress to improve practice and assessment for different groups of learners.

• Understand the school’s assessment procedures for benchmarking against targets set by the class teacher.

• Be familiar with assessment materials.

• An appropriate knowledge of the curriculum and context you are working in.

• Understanding current statutory guidance including ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ Part One, safeguarding policies and Prevent strategies.

• Understanding the importance of sharing relevant information, in a timely manner with the designated safeguarding lead.

• Understanding the importance of first aid procedures.

Underpinning Skills, Attitudes and Behaviours

• 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.

• Work closely with teachers to ensure their 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 One, 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 Work in partnership with parents and/or carers to help the recognise and value the significant contributions they make to the child’s health, well-being, learning and development.

• Encourage parents and/or carers to take an active role in the child’s play, learning and development.

Employers have designed the Apprenticeship Standards to meet the needs of the sector and industry. Ensuring they include:

• Relevant Knowledge, skills and behaviours ensure that the Standard is relevant to the occupation.

• Widening participation Apprenticeship standards provide opportunities to employees that may not previously have been available.

• Development tools A cost effective way to train your employees to undertake specific roles in your business.

• Return on Investment On average, an apprentice who has completed their course will increase business productivity by £214 per week (CEBR, 2015).

As an Apprentice, you will pay no course fees. However, your employer may have to pay towards your training as well as provide you with a wage. All Apprentices are entitled to the national minimum apprentice wage within their first year of training from their employer, although they can, and often do, pay more. In the second and subsequent years of an Apprenticeship programme, if you are aged 19 or over, the national minimum wage for your age would apply [https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates]

If you are an employer and want to find out more information regarding employer contributions and any further costs related to the Apprenticeship programme, please contact our dedicated Apprenticeship team at [email protected]