Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship - Level 5

Specialist teaching assistants support educational provision of learners by providing support through planning, implementing, and adapting activities in order to advance learning.

They draw on research to develop a critical understanding of their specialist area. They establish relationships with learners, families, other professionals and external agencies to support the education of the learners they work with.

They contribute to developing a sense of inclusion and belonging for the benefit of the learners within the communities that they serve. They draw on their specialism to contribute to the evaluation of learning and assessment activities, sustainability in their educational context.

Specialist teaching assistants both reflect on their own practices and support the training and development of others within their specialist area.

Who is it for?

Individuals working within the primary curriculum supporting students. Specific job roles may include Teaching Assistant; Higher Level Teaching Assistant; Learning Mentor; Cover Supervisor; SEND Teaching Assistant; Specialist Teaching Assistant.

Location: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Duration: 21 months including a 3-month Apprenticeship Assessment
Start date(s): September

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Course content

This programme is designed to equip apprentices with advanced knowledge, skills and behaviours to make a significant impact in educational settings by supporting teachers, leading interventions and promoting inclusive practice. It aims to develop highly qualified confident and competent practitioners.

The apprenticeship also provides the opportunity to specialise in either Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) or Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) depending on the apprentice's role within the workplace.

This apprenticeship can also be used as a route into teaching allowing apprentices to progress onto a shortened version of the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship or top-up degree.

What qualification will be achieved?

Foundation Degree in Education Studies
Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Certificate

Modules

Year 1:

Pedagogy, Professionalism and Practice 1
Primary Core Curriculum 1
Primary Foundation Curriculum 1
Inclusive Practice 1

Year 2:

Pedagogy, Professionalism and Practice 2
Primary Core Curriculum 2
Primary Foundation Curriculum 2
Inclusive Practice 2

Entry requirements

To be eligible, apprentices will need to provide evidence of the following:

Achievement of Level 2 Maths and English (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent) OR demonstrate ability at Level 2 in both Maths and English, this would be determined by an initial assessment conducted by University of Staffordshire.

* For apprentices who wish to progress onto the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship, they are advised that they will need to provide evidence of the following:

Maths GCSE at grade C/4 or above OR equivalency test deemed acceptable by the university
English GCSE at grade C/4 or above OR equivalency test deemed acceptable by the university
Science GCSE grade C/4 or above OR equivalency test deemed acceptable by the university

Fees

For levy-paying organisations the cost is paid from their digital account at a rate of £12,000 per apprentice.

For non-levy paying organisations there may be a financial contribution of 5% which equates to £600 per apprentice.

Delivery and assessment

Delivery

This programme is delivered using a blended learning model but is predominantly face-to-face sessions on campus, complimented by occasional online webinars.

Assessment

Throughout the apprenticeship a variety of assessment methods could be used, these include:

Written assignments
Examinations
Reflective activities
Group assessments
Presentations
Professional discussions
Academic assignments
Critical analysis

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support provided by the course teaching team, our central Academic Skills Team provide resources, group and one-to-one help to support learning in a number of areas. These include:

study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy)
academic writing (including how to reference)
research skills
critical thinking and understanding arguments
revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

The Student Life Team offer support, advice and guidance to apprentices with inclusion requirements. The team can arrange reasonable adjustments to support with learning needs, long term health condition, mental health condition or disabilities

Feedback

Progress feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, written feedback will be made available to all apprentices who take written examinations or assessments.

Responsibilities

Employers must not ask the apprentice to contribute financially to the direct cost of learning.
Ensure apprentices spend at least 6 hours per week of their time on off-the-job training.
Enter into a contract with University of Staffordshire.
Participate in reviews with the apprentice and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones.
Provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets the needs of the apprentice.
Provide apprentices with a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning.
Provide the apprentice with paid time to attend off-the-job training, including additional support for English and Maths, or support accessed for learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
Recognise that apprentices must complete the apprenticeship within their working hours.
Support the apprentice to gain new skills.

If they are a citizen of the UK or a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area with Pre-settled or Settled status, they must have been an ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
If they are a non UK national or EEA National without pre-settled or settled status, they must hold a visa (not for educational purposes) for the full duration of the apprenticeship at the start of the programme and been an ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
Able to complete the apprenticeship in contracted working hours.
Be an employee (have a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship) on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning.
Be in a job role relevant for the apprenticeship where significant new knowledge and skills are required.
Be in full-time employment for typically 30 hours a week.
Has the right to work in England.
Maintain a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets your needs.
Not enrolled on another apprenticeship or accessing other government funding at the same time.
Participate in reviews with the employer and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones.

Administer the funding and running of the Apprenticeship Standard to an acceptable level of quality and in compliance with the DfE’s requirements.
Agree jointly between the University, the Employer and Apprentice, an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) ensuring that satisfactory progress is achieved and to ensure that the contents of the ILP fulfil the requirements of the Apprenticeship Standard.
Provide a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment, which meets the needs of the Apprentice.
Provide off-the-job learning and assessment and oversee the on-the-job skills development as detailed in the ILP.
Provide support on selection of the apprenticeship assessor, if applicable. The apprenticeship assessment will be completed by University of Staffordshire for all integrated degrees.

Careers

Upon completion of this apprenticeship, apprentices will have gained the necessary knowledge and skills to be a competent specialist teaching assistant within their chosen field. They may wish to progress on to further study such as the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship or top up their foundation degree to a full degree and then undertake a PGCE to become a qualified teacher.

Apprentices will also have access to career support, our dedicated careers team can support with professional branding, career mapping and accessing potential.

Enquire

To begin an apprenticeship, you must be employed in a role that aligns with the apprenticeship you wish to undertake.

If you are currently in a suitable position with an employer who is willing to support you or if you are an employer looking to recruit or enrol an existing member of staff onto an apprenticeship, please enquire with us.

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