Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship – Cerys
Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Standard
What interested you in doing an apprenticeship and choosing the apprenticeship you enrolled onto?
Cerys was encouraged to pursue a career in education by her family who already work within this sector. She has previous experience in supporting children within a library and wanted to explore this within a school setting.
How was the apprenticeship delivered and was it flexible to your needs?
Cerys expressed great satisfaction with the program’s delivery, appreciating the flexibility of being assessed through various formats.
She particularly valued the discussion components, which enhanced her ability to retain knowledge. The online learning environment suited her well, and she enjoyed the opportunity to connect with learners from other schools.
Do you feel that the College fully supported and guided you through your apprenticeship?
Cerys felt well-supported throughout her apprenticeship by her tutor, who adopted a flexible approach to assist her when she found some aspects of her coursework challenging.
Cerys“I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the essential life skills that pupils require, recognising their significance in SEND educational settings.”
What Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours did you develop both in the workplace and in college, as part of your apprenticeship?
“I have developed greater confidence in supporting pupils across various age groups. I particularly appreciate the hands-on nature of the role, as it allows me to directly apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. This experience has enhanced my skills in planning and delivering targeted interventions, especially for learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Additionally, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the essential life skills that pupils require, recognising their significance in SEND educational settings.“
What do you feel has been your biggest achievement whilst on the apprenticeship?
Cerys has developed the ability to identify and understand the needs of pupils with complex special educational needs (SEN), enhanced her skills in non-verbal communication, and successfully achieved a merit in her End-Point Assessment (EPA).
How did you prepare for your End Point Assessment?
Cerys prepared for her End-Point Assessment by reviewing the planning documents and understanding the criteria required for both pass and distinction grades. She engaged in practice discussions to familiarise herself with potential questions and planned her observation session to allow her the best opportunity to cover all the required standards.
During the professional discussion, Cerys utilised her notes effectively, allowing her to reference key points and demonstrate her competencies confidently.
What advice would you give to future apprentices, coming onto programme?
Ensure you are clear and direct when answering questions during the professional discussion. You need to have a robust portfolio of evidence to support your discussion and that you can use as a quick reference. Make sure your notes are organised into categories. When planning the observation ensure the class teacher and mentor are fully aware of the timings to ensure it runs smoothly.
Always ask your tutor for support if you need it particularly when you are struggling to meet deadlines. Plan your week carefully to focus on updating your OTJ hours and completing coursework this will ensure you don’t fall behind.
Carry a journal to keep a log of OTJ activities which you can then refer to when updating your timesheet. Note down all the little things you do in a day.
Now that you have completed your apprenticeship, how do you feel that it will support you going forward in the world of work?
Cerys has experienced a significant boost in her confidence, particularly in her knowledge and skills related to supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
She feels more prepared to take on increased responsibilities within the classroom, demonstrating a deeper understanding of various SEND requirements.
What are your next steps and future plans?
Cerys is currently employed at the school where she completed her apprenticeship and is keen to advance her career by pursuing university studies, with the goal of becoming a language teacher.
