Teaching assistant
Level 3 · AdvancedEducation and early years 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 3 apprenticeship trains teaching assistants to support teachers and pupils in school settings, helping learners access the curriculum and make progress. Apprentices work with individuals, small groups, and whole classes under the direction of qualified teachers. It can lead to roles as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant, Cover Supervisor, or Specialist Teaching Assistant.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Child development and how children and young people learn
The role of the teaching assistant and professional boundaries
Supporting pupils with special educational needs in the classroom
Safeguarding, child protection procedures, and reporting duties
Effective communication with pupils, teachers, and parents
Behaviour support strategies and creating inclusive environments
Literacy and numeracy support approaches and interventions
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Support individual pupils or small groups with learning activities
Assist the teacher in preparing and organising classroom resources
Deliver literacy and numeracy support under teacher direction
Implement behaviour management strategies consistently
Report concerns about pupils to the designated safeguarding lead
Attend planning meetings and contribute to pupil progress reviews
Provide feedback to the teacher about pupil engagement and progress
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
No employer videos yet for this apprenticeship. Employers offering it can add one to show young people what the role is really like.