In the face of rising recruitment challenges, stretched budgets, and an evolving educational landscape, school leaders must think beyond traditional hiring. Building a resilient, high-performing support team is no longer optional—it’s essential. One of the most impactful and underutilised tools available? Teaching Assistant Apprenticeships.
This article explores how strategic use of apprenticeships can help schools grow their own talent, upskill existing staff, and deliver better outcomes—all while making the most of government funding and long-term workforce planning.
That’s where Teaching Assistant Apprenticeships come in.
Why Should Schools Take On Apprentices? Here’s Why It’s a Win-Win
With the DfE reporting a drop in support staff recruitment across England in recent years and more schools struggling to attract long-term talent, apprenticeships offer a powerful, cost-effective alternative. And yet, despite being fully funded and aligned with workforce development goals, many schools still underuse them.
At JCL Skills Solutions, we specialise in helping schools build a stronger pipeline of support staff—either by attracting new talent or upskilling existing employees through structured, high-quality apprenticeship pathways.
Teaching Assistants: Quietly Driving School Success
TAs are no longer “add-ons” to classroom life. Research from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) shows that when well-trained and strategically deployed, TAs can deliver a +4 month progress gain for pupils—particularly those with SEND or requiring catch-up support.
The government’s own data backs this up. According to the School Workforce Census, there are over 271,000 TAs working in state-funded schools in England, making up nearly 28% of the total school workforce. That’s more than the number of classroom teachers. Yet TAs often receive less formal training or structured development than their teaching counterparts.
This gap presents a powerful opportunity.
Grow Your Own Talent – Aligned With Your Values
With apprenticeships, schools can train new and enthusiastic individuals who already live in the community, share the school’s values, and are eager to contribute. Rather than relying on external recruitment—which can be costly and inconsistent—schools can shape the professionals they need through hands-on experience and real-time learning.
The Teaching Assistant Level 3 pathway is a perfect example. It blends practical school-based experience with essential learning in child development, safeguarding, and behaviour management.
Upskill Your Existing Team for Long-Term Impact
Many schools have team members—lunchtime supervisors, midday staff, or classroom assistants—who show incredible potential but lack the qualifications to progress.
Through the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship, these individuals can deepen their expertise in SEND, behaviour interventions, curriculum planning, and more. For schools, this means:
- Reduced staff turnover
- Increased morale and retention
- Higher quality support for pupils
Better still, this investment doesn’t come from your core budget.
Rising SEN Demands Require Skilled, Targeted Support
One of the most pressing issues schools face today is the growing number of pupils on the Special Educational Needs (SEN) register. According to the Department for Education’s latest figures, 1.6 million pupils in England are identified as having SEN—an increase of more than 100,000 since 2022. Of these, more than 400,000 have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), often requiring 1:1 or specialised support.
For many schools, this means an urgent need for:
- More classroom-based support staff
- Staff trained specifically in SEND strategies
- Consistency and retention of trained support professionals
However, most schools report that they’re struggling to recruit Teaching Assistants with the right level of knowledge, confidence, and flexibility to support pupils with complex needs. Too often, staff are thrown into high-demand roles without the training or progression pathway to sustain them.
This is where apprenticeships become a game-changer.
By embedding SEND-specific training into Level 3 and Level 5 TA apprenticeships, schools can ensure that new and existing staff develop practical, research-informed strategies to support neurodiverse learners, manage behaviour, and work effectively with SENCOs and teaching staff.
The result? More confident practitioners, improved pupil outcomes, and a workforce that feels valued, supported, and prepared.
No Direct Cost – And Even More Savings
Apprenticeships are either funded via the Apprenticeship Levy (for larger employers) or 95% co-invested by the government for smaller schools and MATs. In addition:
- No employer National Insurance is payable for apprentices under 25
- Existing staff can be upskilled with no requirement to leave their role
- Many apprenticeships are eligible for incentive payments, depending on location and funding cycles
Put simply, it’s smart economics.
Strategic Alignment With Ofsted and DfE Priorities
Professional development, inclusion, and effective staffing are core themes in both Ofsted frameworks and DfE guidance. By embedding structured TA apprenticeships into your workforce plan, you’re not just filling roles—you’re aligning with wider national education strategies.
And with growing emphasis on SEND provision, high-needs pupils, and post-COVID recovery, having skilled support staff in place is mission critical.
Aligning Talent with Opportunity: A Strategic Imperative for Schools
Generic, one-size-fits-all staffing solutions no longer meet the complex demands of today’s school environment. Every school is different—its culture, its challenges, its community. That’s why aligning the right people with the right development pathways is not just beneficial; it’s essential.
By offering structured, funded apprenticeships and bootcamps, schools can build a workforce that’s skilled, values-driven, and ready to make a measurable impact.
In an environment where recruitment budgets are tight and staff retention is critical, these programmes aren’t just alternatives to hiring, they’re a strategic investment in your school’s future.
Ready to Future-Proof Your School’s Support Staff?
Whether you’re a headteacher, SENCO, CEO of a Multi Academy Trust, or a school improvement leader, now is the time to invest in long-term workforce development. Our Education Care Pathway offers a structured, fully supported approach to help you attract, train, and retain the staff you need to thrive.
Let’s make professional development as intentional and impactful as possible.
Book a free consultation today.
getintouch@jclss.co.uk or call 0330 0245809
