Course Overview
This course is ideal for individuals who are passionate about supporting children and young people (from five year and above) and who want to develop the specialist skills needed to work confidently within schools and colleges. Whether you’re already working in a learning environment or looking to begin a career in education, you’ll gain hands on experience through a recommended 200 hour placement where you apply your knowledge in real classrooms and learn directly alongside teachers and support teams. Through practical activities, professional discussions, reflective tasks and workplace learning, you will build wider skills such as confidence, communication, teamwork, critical thinking and leadership, attributes highly valued in education settings. The course offers insight into bilingual support, special educational needs, assessment for learning, and the wider role of a teaching assistant, helping you grow both personally and professionally as you prepare for roles such as teaching assistant, learning support assistant or specialist curriculum support, or progress into further study in teaching, early years or SEND.Learning will take place one day per week in the classroom, one early evening session online, and within an education settings.
What You Will Study
On this course, you will undertake 16 modules gaining a rich and practical understanding of how schools and colleges operate, exploring the roles, responsibilities and structures that support effective education. You will develop the skills to promote health and safety in learning environments and learn how to safeguard children and young people with confidence. The programme supports you in building positive, professional relationships with learners of all ages while deepening your understanding of child and young person development. You will learn strategies to support positive behaviour and how to assist children and young people during learning activities, including developing their English, maths and ICT skills. The course also covers how to contribute to assessment for learning and encourages you to engage in ongoing personal and professional development. Additional specialist areas include supporting speech, language and communication needs, working effectively with bilingual learners, and understanding how to assist children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. You will also explore how to support children through key transitions and recognise the importance of play, leisure and extra-curricular activities in promoting wellbeing, confidence and holistic development.
Several of the modules have criteria linked to placement, where you show you are able to evidence your learning practically.
- Attendance Expectations
Learning will take place one day per week in the classroom, one early evening session online, through Microsoft Teams and within an education setting. You are expected to attend all sessions both face to face and online and attend 6 hours of placement per week.
- How You Will Be Assessed
How is it assessed?
Learners will complete a portfolio of evidence alongside continuous assessment which includes written tasks and activities, case studies and project work and observations in placement.
- Entry Requirements
A successful interview and GCSE Grade 4 or equivalent in English. You should have an interest in the subject, and experience of working in the sector will also be considered.
- Fee Information
If you are 19 or over and do not already have a Level 3 qualification or higher, you may be able to access this qualification for free with us. If you are not eligible for a free Level 3 course, an Advanced Learner Loan may be available to cover your course fees.
- Further Study
Learners can progress onto higher education qualifications in teaching and learning, early years education or special educational needs.