
Teaching Assistant (ASTA) Level 3 Apprenticeship
The Teaching Assistant 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 are seen as good role models, who act with honesty and integrity that are able to take part in team meetings; contribute to planning and class activities and promote school values through spiritual, moral, social and cultural development as required to help pupils develop the positive behaviours that are crucial to contributing to improved progress and development.
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.
This apprenticeship duration is 15 months.

KSBs
The Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours covered during your apprenticeship training.

Delivery and EPA
How we deliver the apprenticeship and how it is assessed in your end-point assessment.
Overview
View the overview document below that explains the apprenticeship in more detail.
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The 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
- 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.
- Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
Delivery model
The programme has been designed for delivery online and/or face-to-face. You will be allocated a City Skills Tutor who will support and guide you through 1-2-1 coaching sessions for the duration of 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.
End Point Assessment
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 overall grade of Fail, Pass or Distinction will be determined by the End Point Assessment organisation.