The programme runs for either 15 months (standard route) or 8 months (fast track) on-programme, followed by a 3-month End-Point Assessment period.

Fast Track is subject to prior learning, experience and employer agreement in line with apprenticeship funding rules.

Teaching Assistants work under the direction of a qualified teacher and support the education and development of individual learners and groups. They may work across primary, secondary, special education and further education settings. Their responsibilities may include:

• Supporting teaching and learning activities
• Supporting individual learners and groups
• Helping learners understand tasks and learning objectives
• Adapting support to individual learning needs
• Delivering individual and small-group interventions within agreed parameters
• Observing learners and contributing to assessment
• Supporting positive behaviour and attitudes to learning
• Supporting learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• Safeguarding children and young people
• Communicating appropriately with parents, carers and other stakeholders

Teaching Assistants must balance effective learner support with the need to encourage independence, ensuring their interventions help learners become increasingly confident and able to engage with their own learning.

Typical job roles include Teaching Assistant, Classroom Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Learning Support Worker, Assistant Teacher and Specialist Curriculum Support.

Funding: Levy and non-levy employer funding available.

Find out how apprenticeship funding works for your organisation on our apprenticeships for employers page, or speak to our team.

Delivery Model: Blended delivery combining structured tutor-led training, remote support and practical workplace development.

This provides apprentices with the flexibility to develop their underpinning professional knowledge while applying their learning directly within their educational setting. Delivery includes:

• Tutor-led training
• Live remote learning and support
• Structured off-the-job training
• Individual tutor support
• Workplace-based practical development
• SEND and inclusive-practice development
• Safeguarding training and application
• Behaviour and wellbeing development
• Professional discussions and reflective practice
• Workplace observations
• Portfolio development
• End-Point Assessment preparation

High Ridge Training's programme incorporates 348 planned off-the-job training hours. Employers must provide protected time during working hours for required apprenticeship training and suitable workplace opportunities for apprentices to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the standard.

Child and young person development: apprentices develop an understanding of:

• How children and young people learn and develop
• Communication and language development
• Social and emotional development
• Transitions within education
• Barriers that may affect participation and progress

Curriculum and learning: apprentices develop the ability to:

• Support the delivery of curriculum activities
• Support literacy and numeracy development
• Support learners to understand learning objectives
• Help learners connect new learning with previous knowledge

Assessment and learner progress: apprentices learn how to:

• Observe learners accurately
• Contribute to assessment processes
• Provide appropriate feedback to teachers
• Recognise when learners may require additional support
• Contribute to reviewing the effectiveness of interventions and support

Apprentices develop the ability to:

• Work collaboratively with teachers and other support staff
• Engage professionally with parents and carers where appropriate
• Work alongside SENCOs and specialist professionals
• Share relevant information appropriately and maintain confidentiality

Apprentices develop the professional behaviours expected of a Teaching Assistant, including:

• Putting learners at the centre of their practice
• Acting professionally and ethically
• Demonstrating respect and empathy
• Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
• Demonstrating professional curiosity
• Reflecting on their own practice
• Taking responsibility for Continuing Professional Development
• Modelling positive attitudes and behaviours

Before entering End-Point Assessment, apprentices must:

• Achieve Level 2 English and Maths (if required in line with current apprenticeship funding rules)
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the apprenticeship standard
• Complete their on-programme portfolio
• Complete a minimum of 348 off-the-job training hours
• Be confirmed as occupationally competent by their employer

The EPA is conducted by an independent End-Point Assessment Organisation and typically includes:

• Observation with Questions: providing the apprentice with an opportunity to demonstrate their practical occupational competence while undertaking their normal Teaching Assistant responsibilities
• Professional Discussion Underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence: a structured professional discussion exploring the apprentice's workplace experience and how they apply the required knowledge, skills and behaviours within their role

The apprentice must successfully pass the EPA to achieve the full apprenticeship standard.

• Employment within a suitable education setting
• A role involving regular direct support for learners
• Opportunities to work alongside a qualified teacher
• Opportunities to support teaching, curriculum activities and assessment
• Opportunities to support learners with differing abilities and individual needs
• Opportunities to develop and demonstrate safeguarding responsibilities
• Suitability to work with children and/or young people in accordance with relevant statutory and setting requirements
• Motivation to develop within education and teaching support

Individual English and Maths requirements will be identified during the initial assessment and enrolment process. High Ridge Training will work with the apprentice and employer to ensure the individual's role provides sufficient opportunities to develop and demonstrate the occupational competence required by the standard.

Schools, colleges and learners can enquire about enrolling onto this programme.

Successful completion provides a strong foundation for continued professional development and progression within education. Career and training opportunities may include:

• Higher level teaching assistant pathways
• Level 3 Early Years Educator
• Level 5 Learning and Skills Teacher
• Teaching Assistant
• Learning Support Assistant
• Classroom Support Assistant
• Behaviour Support Assistant
• SEND Teaching Assistant
• Specialist Support Assistant
• Curriculum Support Assistant

With further occupational experience and professional development, progression opportunities may include:

• Senior Teaching Assistant
• Higher Level Teaching Assistant
• Specialist Teaching Assistant
• SEND or Inclusion Support roles
• Pastoral Support roles
• Behaviour or Learning Mentor roles
• Education support leadership roles

The apprenticeship can also provide a foundation for further study and, subject to individual entry requirements, progression towards teaching and other professional education careers.

• Develop Level 3 Teaching Assistant competence within a real education environment
• Benefit from flexible blended learning alongside practical workplace development
• Develop effective approaches to supporting SEND and individual needs
• Strengthen behaviour and wellbeing support skills
• Develop advanced safeguarding and child-protection awareness
• Access Chartered College of Teaching Associate Membership
• Gain additional Safeguarding in Education CPD
• Build a strong foundation for progression within education and teaching support

Explore our education and childcare apprenticeships or read more about apprenticeships for employers.

Professional Membership: Chartered College of Teaching Associate Membership

Apprentices are supported to access Associate Membership with the Chartered College of Teaching during their programme. Associate Membership is specifically designed for Teaching Assistants and those who support teachers and learning within the classroom. Membership benefits can include:

• Recognition as part of a professional education community
• Access to education research and evidence-informed resources
• Teaching Assistant-focused CPD opportunities
• Opportunities to explore research relating to SEND, behaviour and teaching and learning
• Access to events and webinars
• Support for Continuing Professional Development

Accredited CPD: Safeguarding in Education

Apprentices also complete accredited Safeguarding in Education training as part of their wider professional development. The training supports apprentices to:

• Understand their safeguarding responsibilities within an education setting
• Recognise potential signs and indicators of abuse, neglect and harm
• Respond appropriately to disclosures
• Understand how and when concerns should be reported
• Understand confidentiality and appropriate information sharing
• Contribute to a safe and supportive culture for children and young people

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners. Apprentices receive ongoing pastoral, academic and professional support throughout their programme.

The full Teaching Assistant apprenticeship standard (ST0454) is published on Skills England. You can also contact our team for advice on eligibility, funding and start dates.