OTMA’s Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship provides practical, workplace-based teaching assistant training for those looking to develop their skills and confidence in education. Learners build the knowledge needed to support individuals and groups, including those with special educational needs (SEND), while contributing to safe, inclusive and engaging learning environments.
What the Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship covers
Teaching Assistants play an important role in helping learners understand their work, engage positively with education and make progress. Working alongside qualified teachers, they provide targeted support to individuals and small groups while adapting activities to meet different abilities and needs.
Throughout the Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship, learners develop skills across areas including:
- Child and young person development
- Teaching, learning and assessment
- Positive behaviour and engagement
- Safeguarding and pupil wellbeing
- Special educational needs and SEND provision
- Literacy and numeracy support
- Social, emotional and mental health
- Communication and partnership working
- Observation and learner progress
- Health, safety and confidentiality
- Inclusive learning environments
- Professional and reflective practice
Learners apply these skills directly within their role, helping them become confident and capable Teaching Assistants who can make a meaningful contribution to learner development.
Who is the Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship for?
The Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship is suitable for individuals working with learners across a range of education settings, including primary and secondary schools, special schools, alternative provision, sixth forms and colleges.
It is particularly relevant for those supporting individual learners or small groups under the direction of a qualified teacher. This can include working with high-attaining pupils, disadvantaged learners, pupils with English as an additional language (EAL), and children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
For employers, the apprenticeship provides structured teaching assistant training that helps develop knowledgeable, confident support staff who understand how to contribute effectively to teaching, learning and wider school life.
Supporting learning, development and inclusion
Great Teaching Assistants do more than provide an extra pair of hands in the classroom. They help learners overcome barriers, build confidence and engage more effectively with their education.
Throughout the programme, apprentices learn how to adapt activities under the direction of a teacher, promote positive learning behaviours and create safe, stimulating environments where learners can progress.
The programme also develops an understanding of special educational needs, helping Teaching Assistants provide inclusive support that responds to different abilities, circumstances and learning needs.
Learners build strong communication skills to work effectively with teachers, parents, carers and other education professionals, ensuring support is joined up and centred around the individual learner.
Safeguarding and supporting pupil wellbeing
Safeguarding is a fundamental responsibility for anyone working with children and young people. As part of the Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship, learners develop a clear understanding of safeguarding legislation, school policies and the professional responsibilities involved in keeping pupils safe.
The programme covers safeguarding and welfare, health and safety, confidentiality, professional boundaries and supporting social, emotional and mental health needs.
For those searching for a safeguarding apprenticeship, the Level 3 Teaching Assistant programme provides safeguarding development within the wider context of an education role, helping learners recognise concerns, follow appropriate procedures and contribute to a safe and supportive learning environment.
Teaching Assistant career progression
The Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for continued professional development within education.
On completion, learners may progress into roles with greater responsibility or choose further teaching assistant courses and specialist training in areas such as SEND, inclusion, pastoral support or learner wellbeing.
For experienced Teaching Assistants looking to develop advanced specialist expertise, progression to the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship may provide a natural next step.
This allows learners to continue developing their careers while building specialist skills that can make an even greater difference to learners and their educational setting.
Programme structure and duration
The Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship is typically delivered over 18 months, followed by an End-Point Assessment period of approximately 3 months.
Learners benefit from flexible group delivery sessions, monthly one-to-one coaching with a dedicated Skills Coach and progress reviews every eight weeks. Assignments and learning resources are available through Aptem, with Functional Skills support provided where required.
The End-Point Assessment includes a workplace observation with questions and a professional discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence. Apprentices can achieve a Pass, Merit or Distinction.
Funding for the Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship
The Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship has a maximum training cost of £7,000, providing schools and education providers with a cost-effective way to develop skilled Teaching Assistants through structured workplace training.
Eligible employers may be able to use apprenticeship levy funding or government support towards the cost of training and assessment.
At OTMA, we’ll help you understand the funding available to your organisation and guide you through the process of accessing apprenticeship training for your team.
Find out more about apprenticeship funding and support here.
