Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship (ASTA)

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The Advanced Skills Teaching Assistant (AS TA apprenticeship) standard is suitable for teaching assistants working in Primary, Secondary and Special education across all age ranges encompassing special educational needs and emotional vulnerabilities.

A Teaching Assistant’s primary role is to support the class teacher to enhance their pupils’ learning either in groups or individually, ensuring pupils understand the work set, know their learning objectives and stay on task in order to make progress.

Through this apprenticeship, Teaching Assistants will learn how to promote self-belief, social inclusion leading to a high level of self-esteem which is critical to a pupil’s confidence and well-being; ensuring they are able to thrive in a positive, nurturing, safe environment.

This is an active role supporting the learner to access the curriculum. Teaching Assistants serve as role models, demonstrating honesty, integrity, and active participation in team meetings, planning, and class activities. They promote school values for pupils’ development in crucial positive behaviours.

Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship

Typical Roles Include:

Teaching Assistants, Educational Assistant, Learning Support Assistants, Specialist Support Assistants

Entry Requirements

Employers set their own entry requirements which may include:

Though it is not required for the apprenticeship, some employers may require 5 GCSE’s

A level 2 in English and Maths, or equivalent are required to be complete before the apprenticeship can be finished.

The AS TA apprenticeship duration is 15 months.

The AS TA apprenticeship will cover the following core areas:

Working with teachers to accurately assess student progression
Understanding how pupils learn and develop How to use technology, including specialist software effectively to improve learning.
Keep children safe in education
Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion

Developing strategies for support to encourage pupils to move towards independent learning.
Recognise, adapt and respond to all pupils encompassing SEN/emotional vulnerabilities Working with teachers to understand and support assessment for learning
Understand how to accurately observe, record and report on pupil’s participation, conceptual understanding and progress to improve practice and assessment for different groups of pupils.

Delivery model
End Point Assessment

We’ve designed the program for online and/or face-to-face delivery. City Skills Tutor will provide you with 1-2-1 coaching support throughout your apprenticeship.

This programme consists of six, three-hour sessions, followed by a series of related post-session challenges and tasks completed over a 12 month period. The learner will produce a digital portfolio supplemented with e-learning material.

Our courses start at various points in the year, typically every 4 months. All enrolments must be completed two weeks before the 1st Digital classroom session.

Following successful completion of the Gateway, the meeting to determine if you are ready to undertake EPA, you will proceed to end-point assessment (EPA).
The EPA is undertaken by an independent assessment organisation chosen by your employer. The End Point assessment components are:

Practictal Observation
Q&A
Professional discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence

The End Point Assessment organisation will decide the overall grade: Fail, Pass, or Distinction.

Teacher & Schools Apprenticeship Page