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Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship
Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship
The Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship is designed for individuals who are passionate about supporting children and young people to achieve their full potential. Suitable for both new and existing school employees, the programme combines practical workplace experience with structured training, enabling apprentices to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to support teaching and learning in a range of educational settings.
Teaching Assistants play a vital role in helping learners make progress, supporting positive behaviour, promoting inclusion and creating positive learning environments. Working under the direction of qualified teachers, apprentices will develop the skills needed to support individual learners, small groups and whole classes while contributing to the wider life of a school or college.
What will I study?
The apprenticeship develops the professional knowledge, skills and behaviours required to support teaching and learning effectively across a range of educational settings, including primary schools, secondary schools, special schools, alternative provision and further education.
Throughout the programme, apprentices will learn about:
- Supporting teaching and learning across the curriculum
- Child and young person development
- Safeguarding, Prevent and health and safety responsibilities
- Supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- Promoting positive behaviour, wellbeing and mental health
- Planning, delivering and reviewing learning activities and interventions
- Assessment, target setting and learner progress
- Adapting resources to meet individual learning needs
- Equality, diversity and inclusion in education
- Communication and partnership working with teachers, parents, carers and other professionals
- Using technology to support teaching and learning
- Reflective practice and professional development
- Understanding curriculum intent, implementation and impact
Apprentices will work closely with teachers to support individuals, small groups and whole-class learning activities, helping learners to engage in education, achieve their learning objectives and make progress. They will develop the confidence and practical skills required to become an effective and valued member of the education workforce.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should:
- Be employed in a suitable Teaching Assistant or Learning Support role within an educational setting
- Have the support of their employer to undertake the apprenticeship
- Demonstrate a genuine interest in supporting children and young people in education
- Hold GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade 4/C or above, or be willing to work towards the required Level 2 qualifications where applicable
Individual circumstances will be considered during the application process.
Hours and Mode of Study
Study Mode: Apprenticeship (Work-based Learning)
Duration: Typically 18 months, plus End-Point Assessment
Start Date: Rolling enrolment throughout the year.
Location: Workplace and Online
Online learning: 1 day per week
Training will be delivered through a combination of workplace learning, taught sessions, one-to-one reviews, independent study and employer-supported development activities.
Apprentices will complete off-the-job training in line with apprenticeship funding and assessment requirements.
End-Point Assessment
USP College uses NCFE as the End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) for this apprenticeship.
The End-Point Assessment is completed once the apprentice has successfully met all gateway requirements, including the achievement of Level 2 English and Mathematics (where applicable) and the completion of a Portfolio of Evidence.
The EPA consists of two assessment methods:
Observation with Questions
The apprentice is observed carrying out their day-to-day role within their normal educational setting. During the assessment, they demonstrate their ability to support learning, communicate effectively with learners and colleagues, promote positive behaviour, support wellbeing, use technology appropriately and work professionally within the wider school community.
The observation lasts 90 minutes and is followed by a 20-minute questioning session with an independent assessor.
Professional Discussion Underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence
The apprentice takes part in a structured professional discussion with an independent assessor, supported by evidence gathered throughout the apprenticeship.
The discussion explores areas such as:
- Child development
- Safeguarding and Prevent
- Learning support strategies
- Assessment and feedback
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Curriculum knowledge
- Learner wellbeing and mental health
- Professional development and reflective practice
The discussion typically lasts 90 minutes and enables apprentices to demonstrate how they have applied their knowledge and skills within their workplace.
Throughout the apprenticeship, learners will build a Portfolio of Evidence which showcases their experience and competence in the workplace. Evidence may include workplace observations, professional development records, witness testimonies and examples of practice.
The End-Point Assessment is graded at Pass or Distinction.
Why Choose USP College?
Apprentices leave the programme with recognised industry credentials, valuable classroom experience and the confidence needed to make a positive impact on learners' educational journeys.
Course Fees & Funding
There are typically no course fees for the apprentice.
For employers, the cost of training and assessment is usually met through the Government's apprenticeship funding system, subject to eligibility and funding rules in place at the time of enrolment.
- Levy-paying employers can use their Apprenticeship Levy funds to pay for apprenticeship training and End-Point Assessment.
- Non-levy paying employers may be eligible for Government co-investment, where the Government contributes towards the cost of training and assessment.
- Employers may also be eligible for additional incentives or support depending on the apprentice's age, circumstances and current funding arrangements.
- Funding covers both the apprenticeship training delivered by USP College and the independent End-Point Assessment conducted by NCFE.
USP College's Apprenticeship Team will work closely with employers to confirm funding eligibility, explain any employer contributions and support the enrolment process.
Please contact our Apprenticeship Team to discuss recruitment timelines and the next available cohort, or for any other queries regarding our Apprenticeship provision.
