Build Confidence. Support Learning. Make a Difference.

Help children and young people overcome barriers, develop independence and achieve their potential. The Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship combines practical experience with structured training, giving you the knowledge, skills and confidence to provide effective support in an educational setting.

Whether you are starting your career or developing your skills in an existing role, this programme helps you understand how learners develop, how to adapt your support and how to make a positive contribution to teaching and learning.

For employers, it offers a practical route to developing confident, capable Teaching Assistants who strengthen classroom support and inclusive provision.

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About the Course

Teaching Assistants play a vital role in helping learners participate, progress and feel supported. Working alongside teachers and other professionals, they support learning activities, encourage positive behaviour and help create safe, engaging environments.

This apprenticeship develops your ability to support individuals, small groups and whole-class learning under the direction of a teacher. You will learn how to respond to different needs, including Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and provide support that builds learners’ confidence and independence.

The programme is relevant to roles in primary, secondary, special schools and other educational settings.

The typical training duration is 18 months, followed by end-point assessment. Your individual training plan will take account of your existing knowledge, skills and experience.

What You’ll Learn

Supporting Teaching and Learning

Understand how learners develop and learn. Use appropriate strategies, resources and questioning to reinforce teaching, support participation and help learners make progress. Prepare and adapt resources, use technology appropriately and help learners access the tools they need to participate effectively.

Inclusive Practice and SEND

Recognise barriers to learning and adapt your support to individual needs. Work with teachers and specialists to help learners access activities and develop greater independence.

Positive Behaviour and Wellbeing

Build supportive relationships, apply agreed behaviour strategies and help create an environment where learners feel safe, respected and ready to learn.

Assessment and Feedback

Observe learning, recognise progress and provide useful feedback to learners and teachers. Use this information to help shape the next steps in support.

Communication and Partnership Working

Communicate effectively with learners, colleagues, parents and carers. Understand your responsibilities within the wider team and contribute to consistent support.

Safeguarding and Professional Practice

Recognise safeguarding concerns, follow reporting procedures and maintain confidentiality. Develop the professional judgement and conduct expected when working with children and young people.

Opportunities

This apprenticeship supports roles such as:

Teaching Assistant
Classroom Assistant
Learning Support Assistant
Learning Support Worker
Support Assistant

With further experience and training, you can develop specialist expertise or progress towards the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship when working in a suitable role.

Here’s what you can expect:

Practical Skills You Can Use Every Day

Apply your learning directly in your workplace, strengthening the support you provide while earning a wage.

Personalised Training and Support

Receive guidance, feedback and support that reflect your starting point, development needs and career goals.

Greater Confidence in Your Role

Develop a clear understanding of how effective support contributes to learning, wellbeing and independence.

A Foundation for Progression

Build the experience and skills to take on further responsibilities and work towards specialist support roles.

Off-the-job Training

Off-the-job training takes place during your normal paid working hours and develops new knowledge, skills and behaviours linked to the apprenticeship. This may include taught sessions, guided learning, practical training and relevant development activities.

Training Plan

Your training plan will connect this learning to your peer support responsibilities.

What Are the Entry Requirements?

You will need to be employed, or secure employment, in a suitable educational support role that provides opportunities to develop and demonstrate the skills required by the apprenticeship.

Your existing qualifications, experience and support needs will be reviewed before enrolment. English and maths requirements will be discussed during your initial assessment. Working with children and young people also requires the appropriate suitability and safeguarding checks.

Let’s Make It Happen Together

Ready to build your career in education, or strengthen the skills of your school’s support team?

Contact JCL Skills Solutions to discuss the Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship.

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