L5 Specialist Teaching Assistant

Programme Overview

Develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to provide specialist support to pupils in your setting via this Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship. This is a prime opportunity to upskill, progress your career and build specialist knowledge. Expanding on your previous experience as a Teaching Assistant (TA), Learning Support Assistant (LSA) or Classroom Assistant, you'll plan, implement, and adapt activities in order to advance learning. The programme covers key themes including Learning Environment and Safeguarding, Child Development, Inclusion, Equity and Learner Support, Curriculum Planning and Pedagogy, Assessment & Progress Monitoring, Communication & Collaboration, and Professional Practice & Development. You will also elevate knowledge of your chosen specialism: SEND, Social and Emotional Wellbeing (including ELSA status), or Language and Literacy (with an optional value-added Elklan qualification). Delivered by ESF Apprenticeships, rated 'Strong' in all areas by Ofsted, and co-developed with SEND and SEMH experts from Real Training.

What Your Staff Will Learn

• Specialist knowledge, critical understanding and practical teaching skills to plan, implement, evaluate and adapt activities to advance learning, for example scaffolding
• A deep understanding of policies, practices, and procedures relevant to your role
• The experience needed to create an inclusive and supportive environment in which learning outcomes are improved
• ELSA status available through the Social and Emotional Wellbeing specialism
• Specialist training in SEND, Social and Emotional Wellbeing or Language and Literacy with training and support from experienced professionals and your apprenticeship tutor
• The ability to collaborate more effectively with colleagues and other professionals, and support the development of effective practices in team members through mentoring and coaching
• Optional HLTA status and a clear route for career progression
• Mastery of SEND legislation, statutory timelines, policy management and SEND code compliance
• Application of the Graduated Approach and adaptive teaching strategies to optimise outcomes for all pupils
• A portfolio of evidence demonstrating your knowledge, skills and behaviours and their impact in your setting

Entry Requirements

• 1
  Have worked as a Teaching Assistant (TA), Learning Support Assistant (LSA) or equivalent role for at least a year (full-time equivalent)
• 2
  Have the right to work in the UK
• 3
  Be employed for a minimum of 16 hours per week in England
• 4
  Have achieved a minimum of GCSE English at Grade 4 (Grade C) or above, or hold an equivalent Level 2 Functional Skills qualification — required as this apprenticeship is equivalent in academic standard to a foundation degree
• 5
  Employer must agree to participation in the programme and appoint a workplace mentor who will attend termly progress reviews
• 6
  For the Social & Emotional Wellbeing specialism, the workplace mentor should be from the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and will need to attend a 1-hour induction session at the start of the ELSA programme
• 7
  This programme is open to delegates in England only

Specialist Pathways

Apprentices choose one specialist pathway:

Benefits for Your School