Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools level 3 Award

The course is available to learners who wish to work within a school, particularly in the role of a Teaching Assistant, Classroom Assistant or Learning Support Assistant. It is a knowledge based qualification which can be studied prior to taking up a placement or permanent position in school; and does not require a placement.

It is ideally suited to students seeking a qualification prior to taking up a learning support position.

The course is designed for home study or distance learning and is comprised of comprehensive printed course notes presented in an A4 ring binder, together with course assignments and study guide. Tutor support and a student helpline facility are integral to the course, and students have a full 12 months in which to complete their studies. Actual study time will be of the order of 120 hours.

The course is divided up into four study units, each with one tutor marked assignment to be completed. Each assignment contains approx 8-10 written tasks to be completed which are then submitted to a subject tutor for marking. Where required assignments can be re-submitted after amendment in the event that the assessment standards are not full met on first submission.

The course units and topics are as follows:

1. Schools and colleges as organisations
2. Support health and safety in a learning environment
3. Understand how to safeguard children and young people
4. Understand how children and young people develop

The course is available to learners who wish to work within a school, particularly in the role of a Teaching Assistant, Classroom Assistant or Learning Support Assistant. It is a knowledge based qualification which can be studied prior to taking up a placement or permanent position in school; and does not require a placement.

This programme is designed for people who wish to gain a recognised award to enable them to begin work or improve their career in learning support / teaching assistant. It is designed for anyone working or planning to work in learning support and who wish to demonstrate a relevant range of knowledge and job skills.

It is ideally suited to students seeking a qualification prior to taking up a learning support position.

There are no study pre-requirements as the course is intended for learners who have not studied this topic beforehand. No placement is required and so the qualification can be gained prior to taking up a placement of post in school.

The course is intended for learners following a classroom/teaching assistant career route and is relevant to a variety of support roles in schools. It is an ideal first qualification because it can be completed prior to taking up and appointment or volunteering..