Teaching Assistant Apprentice

Summary

Support children 1:1, in groups, or across the whole class in schools and nurseries.

As a TA, you’ll inspire learners of all abilities while supporting the teacher with tasks like preparing the classroom.

You may also specialise in helping pupils with SEN or additional needs.

Wage

£12,480 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

This role is term-time only, and salary is calculated across the 39-week school year.

Training course

Teaching assistant (level 3)

Hours

Monday- Friday with a day release to college, exact hours to be agreed between the apprentice and their manager.

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 5 October 2026

Duration

1 year 9 months

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

As a Teaching Assistant Apprentice, you will work alongside experienced teachers and support staff to help create a positive, engaging, and inclusive learning environment for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting teachers in planning and delivering engaging learning activities
• Assisting individual pupils and small groups to access the curriculum and achieve their learning goals
• Helping to promote children's social, emotional, and educational development
• Supporting the development of early literacy, numeracy, communication, and language skills
• Encouraging positive behaviour and helping to maintain a safe and stimulating learning environment
• Assisting with classroom organisation, preparation of learning resources, and displays
• Supporting children during indoor and outdoor learning activities
• Observing and recording children's progress and sharing observations with teachers and key staff
• Helping to meet the individual needs of pupils, including those with additional learning needs
• Supervising children during breaktimes, lunchtimes, educational visits, and other school activities as required
• Promoting safeguarding, health and safety, and the welfare of all children in accordance with school policies
• Building positive relationships with pupils, staff, parents, and carers
• Participating in training, professional development, and apprenticeship coursework to develop knowledge and skills
• Demonstrating professionalism, confidentiality, and a commitment to the school's values at all times

Where you'll work

Elm Park Primary School
Nicholls Lane
Bristol
BS361NF

Training

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

Training provider

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND STROUD COLLEGE

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

SGS College will support apprentices to develop the full range of knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the Standard.

Apprentices will receive comprehensive guidance to build their portfolio, and the College will also facilitate completion of a Paediatric First Aid qualification.

Once on‑programme learning is complete, apprentices will progress to the End Point Assessment, which includes a practical observation with a question‑and‑answer element, submission of a portfolio of evidence, and a professional discussion.

Full time apprentices will spend typically 18 months on-programme working towards the apprenticeship standard, with a minimum of 20% off-the-job training.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4 and above)
• Maths (grade 4 and above)

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

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Other requirements

What We're Looking For:

• A genuine interest in working with young children
• Enthusiasm, patience, and a positive attitude
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• A willingness to learn and develop professionally
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• Applicants will be required to pass an enhanced background check (DBS).