JCL Skills Solutions
371 followers
July 21, 2025
In 2025, few school priorities are more pressing than strengthening SEND provision. Yet as demand rises and budgets remain static, many leaders are having to think differently. The traditional model of recruiting externally, relying on agency support, or stretching existing staff ever thinner simply isn’t sustainable.
At JCL, we work with schools every day who are facing this exact challenge. The good news? Many headteachers and SENCOs are turning the situation around not with more spending, but by unlocking the potential of the people they already have.
Here are three ways they’re doing it.
Developing the Staff You Already Trust
Our Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship is quickly becoming the go-to solution for schools looking to build SEND strength from within. Delivered flexibly around the school day and fully funded for eligible staff, this nationally recognised qualification equips experienced TAs with advanced skills in behaviour management, SEN strategies, mentoring, and child development.
It’s not just training, it’s a transformation. Learners gain practical tools to support the most complex pupils, work confidently with external professionals, and lead small teams within the school. For the school, it means the people who already understand your ethos and learners are empowered to lead inclusion with confidence and consistency.
One SENCO in Greater Manchester recently told us:
“We didn’t need to advertise for another HLTA, we already had one. We just needed to develop her. The level 5 Specialist TA Apprenticeship did that.”
When you give your staff the recognition and progression they’ve earned, you don’t just reduce churn, you ignite loyalty.
Cutting Supply Spend Through Capability
Every school leader knows the cost of short-term fixes: endless supply budgets, inconsistent support, and reactive staffing. What’s harder to calculate but far more powerful is the value of long-term investment. By upskilling your TAs to take on greater responsibility, schools are reducing their dependence on external supply cover. Learners on our Level 5 apprenticeship are equipped to step up when needed, confidently lead small groups, and take charge of key interventions. This shift not only saves money but creates a more stable and responsive classroom environment something both pupils and teachers benefit from. Our research shows that schools with clear CPD and progression pathways for TAs see lower turnover and significantly better learner outcomes in classrooms with high SEN need. That’s an impact you can’t afford to miss.
Creating Career Pathways That Retain Talent
Too often, Teaching Assistants with huge potential leave the profession not because they lack passion, but because they don’t see a path forward. Or Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant qualification changes that. We’ve designed a pathway that builds not only skills but self-belief. With coaching and mentoring from ex-headteachers, learners don’t just gain a certificate they grow in confidence, develop leadership qualities, and feel seen. That emotional investment matters. Because when a TA knows their school is investing in them, they’re far more likely to stay, thrive, and give their best every day.
One of our learners recently said:
“By enrolling on an apprenticeship it has changed everything. I feel like a leader now, not just support.”
A Smarter Way Forward
In a time of squeezed budgets, upskilling your existing team isn’t just a smart choice, it’s the most sustainable one. The Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship offers schools a unique opportunity to strengthen provision, retain talent, and build SEND capacity without increasing headcount. If you’re ready to do more with the team you already have and want to explore what’s possible for your school starting this September, be sure to get in touch. Let’s talk about how we can help you make the most of your support staff.
Feel free to book a call where I can discuss the best options to Attract, Train & Retain your Teams.
Contact : www.jclskillssolutions.co.uk, getintouch@jclss.co.uk or call 0330 0245 809
INNOVATE | EDUCATE | EMPOWER
