What is an apprenticeship?

Our Level 2 (and some Level 3) courses are ideal for school leavers or career changers who want to gain paid experience working in a school.

• You will be employed for the duration of the apprenticeship
• Choose between working in school sports, early years, or as a classroom TA
• We may be able to help you find a placement in one of our partner schools

We develop our learners so they can confidently fulfil their role working as an apprentice within a school or community setting. An apprenticeship is an excellent way to start your career and many of our alumni have gone on to secure permanent roles in schools or nurseries. Some have even become teachers.

If you have additional needs, or just need some extra help with writing tasks, our tutors can offer tailored one-to-one support.

Learners aged 19+: No formal qualifications are required to complete an apprenticeship.

Minimum Entry Requirements for our Level 2 Apprenticeship

Residency and Right to Work

• You must have lived in England for the past 3 years.
• You must have the right to work in the UK.

English and Maths There are no formal entry requirements or minimum grades needed to apply for this Level 2 apprenticeship. Instead, your current qualifications will determine the level of support you will receive:

• If you already hold GCSEs at Grade 4 (Grade C) or above: You are all set and will not need to take further English or maths qualifications.
• If you hold GCSEs at Grade 3 (Grade D): You will be supported to develop your English and maths application through a Functional Skills programme alongside your apprenticeship.
• If you do not hold GCSEs at Grade 3 (Grade D) or above: You will be fully supported to achieve your Level 1 Functional Skills before you reach your End-Point Assessment (EPA).

Find out more about how we can support you with Functional Skills.

Apprenticeships are a popular way for teachers, TAs, Assistant SENCOs, SENCOs and senior leaders to refine and learn new skills, with a study method that's designed to slot in and around a busy day job.

TAs and support professionals; can enhance their knowledge of the curriculum, scaffolding, behavioural support, summative and formative assessment and how to enable every pupil to participate in lessons. They can refine their general teaching assistant skills, becoming better communicators and mentors, as well as deepening knowledge in a particular area such as PE or special educational needs (Level 3) or SLCN, SEND, Literacy or SEMH (Level 5). 

Aspiring SENCOs; can learn the operational management skills required to assist their SENCO with the day-to-day administration of SEND support, as well as understanding SEND policy.

Leaders and aspiring leaders; will refine how their SEND department is run, improving communications, resource management, early intervention, liaison with external organisations, all while honing their leadership skills. They may also look beyond individual SEND departments to build their whole-school or trust's ethos around inclusion.

Apprenticeships are nationally recognised qualifications that develop your soft skills as well as theoretical knowledge. They have given many of our apprentices the confidence to apply for higher level roles. Some of our apprenticeships include additional qualifications (such as HLTA or ELSA status, or Speech Language and Communications qualifications from OCN London.)

• All our apprenticeship courses are delivered by highly skilled and qualified tutors, applying their teaching experience from working in education.
• Our staff are approachable, caring and committed to learners’ achievements.
• All apprentices receive regular reviews of their progress with their dedicated ESF apprenticeship tutor.
• Most apprentices receive on-site visits where their tutor will offer support and ensure that they continually apply what they have learned to enhance their performance at work.
• Leaders ensure that high-quality careers advice and guidance is seamlessly integrated into every aspect of an apprentice’s training.