Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 3
The Level 3 Teaching Assistant (TA) programme is perfect for anyone already employed as a Teaching Assistant, or seeking a career as a Teaching Assistant.
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Course duration
15 - 18 Months
TA Level 3
Blended learning
One-to-one teaching sessions
Up to 100% funded
Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship - Level 3
Our programme provides a flexible learning approach for both schools and learners. It ensures that all learners acquire essential knowledge and develop the skills needed to assist teachers in enhancing pupil learning, whether in groups or individually. This approach helps pupils understand their assignments, know their learning objectives, and stay focused to make progress.
They will learn how to promote self-belief, social inclusion, and high self-esteem. The learning gained will include a greater knowledge and understanding of whole class teaching, supporting potential progression to Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status. Learners will also be able to personalise their pathways based on their choice of specialist area(s)..
"The course itself works well alongside being a teaching assistant. The subjects in the webinars are very relevant. I am really enjoying the specialist modules; I chose SEND and Early years. I like the way I can learn at my own pace."
Claire Mackenzie - TA Apprentice, Pink Elephants
What are the benefits?
- Certificated training in up to two chosen specialist areas: SEND, Early Years, Behaviour, EAL and Assessment
- BPN Boost to support learners throughout the programme
- Potential fast-track to Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status
- Levy-funded, which we can help you access
- Safeguard and promote the health, safety and welfare of children
- Work with teachers to understand and support assessment
- Apply for an TOTUM Student Discount Card
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Learners must:
- Currently be employed as a Teaching Assistant, and have support from your school and levy account holder/Apprenticeship Service Account holder.
- Support from your Line Manager or designated Mentor will be provided throughout the programme, assisting you with the 20% off-the-job training. This includes webinars, portfolio preparation, shadowing, reading, and time to attend review meetings. They will also help set the plan for on-the-job training according to an Individual Learning Plan.
- You will need GCSEs in English and maths at Grade C (4) or above, or be able to achieve Level 2 in English and maths while on the programme.
- Have experience in the role or similar roles.
- Been a resident in the UK at least the last three years
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This programme has termly start dates, and submission materials are submitted using Bud which is a cutting-edge online platform. The platform is very easy to navigate, and includes login access for schools to keep track of their candidates progress. Bud also has an app which means you can check in on your progress via mobile.
Delivery includes:
- Half-termly (4–6) Tutor on-site visits to carry out observations and professional discussions in the school work place
- An extensive curriculum covering 17 Knowledge areas, 16 Skills, and 6 Behaviours to support the class teacher and enhance learning.
- Six-weekly remote or face-to-face online reviews with the tutor and the Head Teacher/Line Manager/mentor.
- Reflective CPD online journal or blog
- 1-To-1 teaching sessions with a dedicated Tutor
- Group webinars and online catch-ups
- HLTA competencies and career development
- Individual learning plans
Having delivered HLTA for the past 17 years, we reached out to our contacts to ask what the ideal Teaching Assistant program would look like. The prevailing opinion was that existing programs lacked specialism. Schools and classrooms face diverse challenges, and our program allows learners to tailor their learning to address these specific needs.
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Learners must select and complete one specialism while on programme
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You may choose more than one specialism, but you must discuss this with your employer and tutor to ensure that the additional time spent does not impact your workload or core apprenticeship course requirements.
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You will receive a certificate for each specialism you successfully complete.
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The specialisms become available six months after the apprenticeship start date.
Special Needs and Disabilities | Early Years | English as an Additional Language | Behaviour | Assessment |
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Those specialising in SEND will develop their understanding of areas of need such as Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH), Dyslexia and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), enabling them to deliver an even more effective role in supporting provision for students with SEND. | The focus of the Early Years specialism is good practice in nursery and reception that ensures children are given the best possible start to their schooling, in line with the principles and practices of the Early Years Foundation Stage. | Selecting EAL will equip TAs to support pupils who may be at different stages of English language acquisition and who have different backgrounds and needs. | The behaviour specialism develops a deeper understanding of behaviour strategies to support children to behave in ways that help them and others to gain the most from their schooling. | A specialism in assessment will support TAs' understanding of formative assessment techniques to; find out what children already know so that they can build on this, unpick children’s misconceptions, check learning within (as well as at the end of) lesson and be able to provide effective feedback to move learning forwards. |
- This 18-month apprenticeship costs £7,000 but can be provided at no cost to you if your organisation is an Apprenticeship Levy payer.
- If your organisation does not pay into the Apprenticeship Levy Fund, the government will cover 95% of the fees, requiring your organisation to contribute only 5%, which amounts to £350. More information is available on the Government website.
- Contact our friendly apprenticeship team to confirm the availability of funding for your organisation.
Employer Incentive
Employers can receive an incentive payment of £1,000 for new apprentices who are aged 16 to 18 or under 25 with an Education, Health, and Care Plan.
Apprenticeship Levy Transfer
Employers who contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy and have unused funds can transfer up to 25% of their contribution to another employer. This allows you to utilise another organisation's levy contributions to fully finance an apprenticeship for a member of your team.
Employers willing to transfer unspent funds can be found listed on the pledge page. For further details, visit the Government website to learn about the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer.
As well as ensuring full competency as a Teaching Assistant, this standard lays a foundation for potential progression into various career paths in the educational sector, including Higher Level Teaching Assistant, Assistant Teacher, and Teacher.
On successful completion:
Learners will achieve the Level 3 apprenticeship qualification and will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours necessary to make a positive impact in their school.
All learners will complete the programme with a final Individual Learning Plan (ILP) to support their career development. Best Practice Network's national presence as an experienced and leading provider of HLTA status, along with our teacher training connections through our NPQ and Early Career Framework contracts with the Department for Education, ensure we are well-placed to offer expert guidance with the ILP.
A unique feature of our programme is that, upon passing the end-point assessment, successful learners will be eligible to apply for a fast track to HLTA assessment with Best Practice Network.
How to apply
We are now accepting applications and can assist you in finding a workplace setting.
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Hear from TA Level 3 apprentices
Case studies from two Teaching Assistant apprentices on why they have chosen an apprenticeship and how the programme is benefitting them and the pupils.
Case study