Do you want to work in a school or college as a teaching
assistant (TA), or progress within your current role as a qualified TA? If so,
this course is for you.
You’ll benefit from excellent tutoring to gain the
qualification you need, as well as personalised support and guidance to support
you into work.
In the previous years, more than 90% of our students were
working as a TA by the end of the course.
What you’ll learn
This course, alongside a compulsory school placement,
prepares you well for working in a school. You will cover the following units of
work:
- Personal
Development (including PDP/ Reflections)
- Safeguarding
- Laws and legislation
- Schools as organisations
- Assessment for learning
- Inclusion/Relationships
- Child development
- Behaviour
- Supporting learning
activities – English and maths
- Supporting ICT
in schools.
We also offer additional experiences, such as visits to
special educational needs and disability (SEND) settings, guest speakers who
discuss SEND, and support to help you improve both your English and maths.
School Placement
To succeed in this course, you will need a school placement
in year one or above for 12 hours a week.
Highlights
Expect excellent teaching, continuous assessment (no exams)
and personal guidance throughout your academic journey. Don’t just take our
word for it – this is what Emma said about the course:
‘There isn’t anything I can fault. Even when topics have
initially confused me. The way the tutor teaches and explains the content with
her superb knowledge, makes everything fall into place. The course content will
pretty much always be the same. It’s how the course is taught and delivered
that makes the difference. Throughout the course, the tutor has been very
informative, she is incredibly knowledgeable, interesting and a great sense of
humour, which helps to lighten some intense topics. She engages and includes
the whole group. The tutor has brought out the best in me, given me a newfound
confidence and belief in myself and with the course has made me believe I am
capable of doing more than I realised. This really has been an amazing journey
for me.’
Assessment
You’ll complete 8 assessments over the course. The course is
not graded and all learners who meet the criteria in the assessments pass the
course.
You will also have at least 2 observations during the course
where we will observe work-based criteria. You will need to prove your
competence as a Teaching Assistant or Learning Support Assistant to pass the
course.
What about finances?
Our courses are eligible for a 19+ Advanced Learning Loan,
making them accessible and affordable. Our friendly Student Services Team can
provide more details.
You will be responsible for obtaining and paying for your
own DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check through your school placement,
some schools may cover this cost. It is important to apply for this as soon as
possible.
There may be bursaries available to support you, please
contact our Student Services Team to see eligibility criteria.
How will I fit this around my other commitments?
This course runs during term time only, with just one class
per week from September to June.
As a student, you’ll also benefit from exclusive discounts
at hundreds of retailers and have access to our on-site facilities, including
the library, IT suites and canteen.
Anything else?
To complete this course within one academic year, you will
need to set aside 5–10 hours each week for study, research, and the completion
of homework and assignments, in addition to attending college classes. A home
computer or laptop and broadband are essential for creating and uploading
assignments via our college intranet for AI and plagiarism checks.
Our supportive learning environment ensures you are fully
equipped to succeed. With over 90% of our learners in work by the end of the
course, it provides strong support for securing roles in schools or colleges.
There are also opportunities for progression into teaching and other areas of
education.
