Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools level 3 Certificate

1. The course is available to learners who are working within a school, particularly in the role of a Teaching Assistant, Classroom Assistant or Learning Support Assistant. It is a fully recognised qualifcation designed to provide learning support staff with the essential knowledge and skil to perform effectively in a variety of roles. It is a competence based qualification which requires students to be employed in a school setting or to have placement. It is suitable for support staff seeking to apply for HLTA status.

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 360 hours (incluing an in-school placement of a minimum of 50 hourse)

The course is divided up into 11 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. Some tasks require evidence of practical skills observed in the classroom by a supervising member of school staff. 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 consists of 11 units:

Schools and colleges as organisations

Support health and safety in a learning environment

Understand how to safeguard children and young people

Develop professional relationships with children, young people and adults

Understand how children and young people develop

Support positive behaviour in children and young people

Support children and young people during learning activities

Support English and Maths skills

Support the use of ICT in the learning environment

Support assessment for learning

Engage in personal and professional development

The course aims to enable learners to understand the roles and responsibilities of those involved in supporting teaching and learning in schools, and provides an opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge required to do this effectively and in a self-directed way. It prepares learners to support the Teacher and the delivery of curriculum within a school, as well as developing skills to help children and young people to develop self-esteem, independence and skills for learning. It seeks to further develop professional and technical skills and knowledge, and an understanding of the importance of positive relationships within a school.

Consequently it is ideally suited to support staff wishing to develop and gain recognition for their knowledge and skills. It is also ideally suited to staff persuing the HLTA training route.

There are no study pre-requirements as the course is intended for learners who have not studied this topic beforehand. Students will however require an in-school placement of a minimum of 50 hours, and must be supervised by a qualificed teacher willing to attest to a range of activities undertaken by the learner.

The qualification is designed for a range of learning support staff in schools wishing to formalise their knowledge and skill and operate as classroom or teaching assistant. It is suited to students wishing to persue the HLTA status.