APPRENTICE LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANT

Summary

An exciting opportunity has now arisen for 2 dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to join our SEND department. This is a structured pathway to gain practical classroom experience and work towards a recognised Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification, all while actively contributing to the success and wellbeing of our pupils.

Wage

£14,560 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Teaching assistant (level 3)

Hours

A typical working day will follow the school timetable, starting between 8:40am and 8:55am (depending on the day) and finishing at 3:00pm, with an earlier 2:30pm finish on Tuesdays.

35 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

A typical working day will follow the school timetable, starting between 8:40am and 8:55am (depending on the day) and finishing at 3:00pm, with an earlier 2:30pm finish on Tuesdays. After a morning briefing with the SENDCO and teaching staff, the core of the day will involve supporting pupil access to learning using appropriate strategies and resources as directed by the class teacher.

The apprentice will support the provision for pupils with additional needs and assist in the implementation of individual education health care plans. Duties will be highly varied; one lesson may involve providing specific support in literacy, numeracy, and SEN strategies to enhance curriculum delivery, while another might involve implementing targeted support programs for pupils in relation to their individual needs, such as daily exercise routines.

Throughout the day, the apprentice will provide 1:1 mentoring for pupils and offer support for distressed pupils under the guidance of senior staff. They will also actively assist in maintaining classroom discipline through the consistent implementation of the academy's behaviour management strategies, specifically, our 'Behaviour 4 Learning' framework. The day concludes with providing constructive feedback to pupils and teachers regarding progress, achievement, attendance, and behaviour.

Where you'll work

Our Lady S Catholic High School
Preston
PR2 3SQ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

EAST LANCASHIRE LEARNING GROUP

Training course

Teaching assistant (level 3)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Apply strategies to support and encourage the development of independent learners.
• Adapt communication strategies for the audience and context.
• Apply behaviour management strategies in line with organisational policy.
• Adapt resources to support all learners.
• Communicate with teachers to ensure clarity of the TA’s role.
• Apply teaching strategies to deliver learning activities or interventions.
• Build relationships with learners, teachers, other professionals and stakeholders.
• Comply with legislation, guidance, and procedures for Prevent, safeguarding and health & safety.
• Support the well-being and mental health of learners.
• Observe, record, and report on learners in line with organisational procedures.
• Apply methods of formative assessment.
• Use up to date technology safely, to support learning.
• Encourage safe use of technology by learners.
• Adapt teaching strategies to support all learners (for example, scaffolding, open questioning).
• Identify and respond to pastoral and academic behaviours in learners.
• Provide feedback to learners.
• Apply strategies to support and encourage the development of independent learners.
• Adapt communication strategies for the audience and context.
• Apply behaviour management strategies in line with organisational policy.
• Adapt resources to support all learners.
• Communicate with teachers to ensure clarity of the TA’s role.
• Apply teaching strategies to deliver learning activities or interventions.
• Build relationships with learners, teachers, other professionals and stakeholders.
• Comply with legislation, guidance, and procedures for Prevent, safeguarding and health & safety.
• Support the well-being and mental health of learners.
• Observe, record, and report on learners in line with organisational procedures.
• Apply methods of formative assessment.
• Use up to date technology safely, to support learning.
• Encourage safe use of technology by learners.
• Adapt teaching strategies to support all learners (for example, scaffolding, open questioning).
• Identify and respond to pastoral and academic behaviours in learners.
• Provide feedback to learners.

Training schedule

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training to work towards a Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification. This will include dedicated, protected off-the-job training time to complete coursework, build an evidence portfolio, and attend sessions with the assigned apprenticeship training provider. Internally at Our Lady's, the apprentice will receive robust, on-the-job mentoring from both myself and the SEND Intervention Lead.

We will provide hands-on training covering safeguarding protocols, our Catholic ethos, and how to effectively utilise a range of different teaching and learning approaches to support pupil access to learning.

They will also receive specific coaching on de-escalation techniques, adapting resources, and effectively navigating the UK SEND Code of Practice within a mainstream setting.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Math's & English (grade C or above (equivalent))

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Team working
• Patience

Other requirements

Please note that in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, an online search will be carried out as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.

Disclosure and Barring Service check.