Apprentice Teaching Assistant

Summary

As a Teaching Assistant Apprentice, you will provide essential support in the classroom, helping to create a positive and engaging learning environment for all pupils. This role is ideal for someone who is enthusiastic, caring, and eager to begin or continue a career in education.

Wage

£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

• Wages will be pro-rata at £13,792.00 based on term-time only plus 3 days

Training course

Teaching assistant (level 3)

Hours

Term time only plus 3 days Working Monday to Friday, including one day at Darlington College. Shifts TBC.

37 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 6 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

To work with teachers and senior staff to support teaching and learning by assisting the teacher in the delivery of the curriculum. To provide general support in the management of pupils and the classroom.

In co-operation with the teacher and under the agreed educational plan, the post holder will carry out the following duties:

Support pupils

• Carry out pre-determined educational activities and programmes of learning whilst promoting independent learning
• Work to establish a supportive relationship with the children and parents, ensuring you are acting as a role model and being aware of and responding appropriately to individual needs
• Carry out tasks associated with pupils’ personal hygiene, including personal intimate care and welfare, including physical and medical needs, whilst encouraging independence 
• Promote and reinforce the child’s self-esteem and encourage them to act independently as appropriate
• Support pupils in respect of learning strategies as directed by the teacher
• Prepare and maintain equipment and resources as directed by the teacher and assist pupils

Support teachers:

• Tidy and prepare classrooms and work areas for lessons and activities as directed by the teacher or senior staff
• Display pupil work as directed by the teacher or senior staff
• Monitor the needs and behaviours of individual children and report these to their designated supervisor as appropriate
• Contribute to the records of the children’s development as required by the school
• Provide general administrative support to the teacher or senior staff with regard to lesson planning and resources for lessons and activities
• Undertake pupil record keeping as requested
• Be aware of pupil problems, progress and achievements and report to the teacher as agreed

Support school:

• Have an understanding of both school and Trust policies and procedures. Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection and report all concerns to an appropriate person 
• Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety, security, confidentiality and data protection and report all concerns to an appropriate person 
• Be aware of and support differences and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop 
• Contribute to the school's aims and the Trust’s virtues, vision and values
• Attend relevant meetings as required
• Participate in training and other learning activities, including performance development as required 
• Assist in escorting and supervising pupils on educational visits and out-of-school activities as required
• To safeguard and promote the welfare of children for whom you have responsibility or come into contact with, and adhere to all specified policies and procedures
• Any other duties of a similar nature related to the post which may  be required from time to time
• To carry out your duties with full regard to the Trust Equality Policy
• Comply with health and safety policies and procedures, including reporting any incidents, hazards or accidents and take a proactive approach to health and safety matters in order to protect both yourself and others
• To maintain the Catholic ethos that is inclusive and applies Catholic values and attitudes in all aspects across the school and Trust

Where you'll work

Carmel College
The Headlands
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 8RW

Training

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

Training provider

DARLINGTON COLLEGE

Training course

Teaching assistant (level 3)

What you'll learn

• 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

• Level 3 Teaching Assistant
• Location – Carmel College, The Headlands, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 8RW
• Working 5 days per week, inclusive of 1 day release for study at Darlington College

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4/C)

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
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Relateable

Other requirements

• Please note that in line with UK apprenticeship regulations, you must have a valid and eligible residency status and the right to work in England. This should cover the entire expected term of learning and residency should be held for a minimum of 3 years. Exceptions may apply. Please see the apprenticeship funding rules for full guidance.
• The successful applicant will be subject to relevant vetting checks, including a satisfactory enhanced disclosure, before an offer of appointment is confirmed. Following the appointment, the employee will be subject to re-checking as required from time to time by the Trust