Education (Teaching Assistants)

With the growth in classroom size and the need for more one-to-one support for students, the role of those supporting learning and teaching in schools and colleges has becoming increasingly important - resulting in a need for well-qualified support staff who can demonstrate a wide range of skills, knowledge and understanding.

Local Authorities, Head Teachers and Colleges recognise that current and future demands on such support staff necessitate education and training which not only meets the needs of the employer, but that offers the opportunity to develop personally and professionally. To meet these needs, we have created this new and exciting Foundation degree qualification.

“The Foundation degree course really widened my knowledge.  I have been working full time inside a school and I would really like to go on to teaching.  Because of this, I have decided to take a two-year BA(Hons), followed by my PCGE on top of that".

Anita Edge
Foundation degree for Teaching Assistants
Walford & North Shropshire College

You will take a range of modules over three years. All of the modules are compulsory. 15 credit modules are studied for 5 weeks. 30 credit modules are studied for 10 weeks.

Programme and module outcomes are formally assessed through a range of tasks and activities which ask you to link learning in the workplace to the taught programme. For example as an Education Practitioner you will have the opportunity to be assessed against an individual action plan identifying your strengths and areas for development in relation to your skills, knowledge and understanding.

You will also be assessed on your understanding of: learner motivation and rewards; emotional intelligence; the effective learning environment.

An assessment of your role in supporting the core curriculum will require you to prepare an individualised learning pack including: an activity or resource; a rationale; an appraisal of its effectiveness in use.

Another example of an assessment is a case study in behaviour within the Inclusive Organisation.

The Foundation degree offers comprehensive coverage of the knowledge and skills required by those supporting learning and teaching.  It is practical and focused on the workplace.

The course develops understanding of teaching and learning, working in education, and behaviour management.  It also covers skills required for effective communication, self-development and career progression.

A good deal of learning on this course will take place in the workplace using study guides and the experience of colleagues.  You will have a personal tutor to assist you and will be expected to attend college every week for either a morning, afternoon or evening session.  Further tutor support is available through email and telephone contact.

The assessment strategy makes use of professionally appropriate, useful and interesting tasks and activities that are at the same time academically rigorous and testing.  The assessment strategy adopted provides a wide variety of formats to suit different learning styles and to accommodate your varied work-based situations.

Successful graduates will be awarded a Foundation degree in Arts from Staffordshire University and you will be entitled to add FdA after your name

It will be possible to progress from the Foundation degree in Education directly to an Honours Degree in Education.  This degree will progress expertise in the field and also give access to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

For more information about Education (Teaching Assistants) please contact: