To find out more information and enrol, please visit the website (below):

The Leigh Institute (ConnectED Apprenticeships)

As a Specialist SEND Teaching Assistant, you’ll learn how to plan, deliver and evaluate learning activities that help all pupils make progress. You will play a vital role in contributing to a culture of inclusive practice within your school community and you will work with other professionals, families/carers and pupils to make a real difference.

Your specialist knowledge of SEND and of up-to-date educational research will ensure you have the skills and expertise to advance the learning of pupils with additional needs.

Why choose a Level 5 Specialist SEND TA Apprenticeship?

Your expertise will directly benefit the learners who need it most and you will develop a stronger understanding of inclusive practice and how pupils learn. Your advanced skills will help unlock potential and overcome barriers to learning.

You will gain a fully-funded nationally recognised qualification to support your career progression and professional development, all while you continue to earn a salary as you study.

Completion of the Level 5 qualification will also open up onward pathways to a degree and teacher training, if that is your ambition.

For schools, the Level 5 Specialist SEND TA apprenticeship will help retain and motivate experienced staff, while increasing teaching capacity and improving pupil outcomes. This fully-funded* programme provides high-quality training alongside a manageable and flexible approach to evidencing the required off-the-job hours. With onward pathways to a degree and teacher training, it opens up on-the-job pipelines to secure home-grown future teaching talent for your school.

DURATION AND STRUCTURE OF APPRENTICESHIP

Typically 18 months - timescales may vary depending on occupational role and/or prior relevant qualifications / experience and Assessment of Prior Learning and Knowledge (APL/K) opportunities. This will consist of 20% offsite learning, which will take place during term time at sites across the Leigh Academies Trust.

ROLE PROFILE

• Provide appropriate levels of individual attention, reassurance and help for student(s) needs as identified in Individual Education Plans or Educational Health Care Plans.

• Support the specific needs of specified students - physical, emotional and/or behavioural

• Support student(s) access to the curriculum, their learning in particular lessons and their progress towards specific individual targets

• Ensure that teachers are aware of the specific learning needs of identified students

• Support students in working independently in the company of others

• To deliver as directed by the SENCO, one-to-one student programmes for Literacy and Numeracy, SPAG, handwriting, speech and language

• Provide information advice and direction to students about their behaviour within the agreed framework of academy policies on discipline and behaviour

• Assist student(s) access to the curriculum by differentiating instructions and resources

• Support the maintenance of student records by providing information to the teacher/ SENCO and recording, in accordance with school and Faculties policy, the work of student

• Provide praise and encouragement to students to recognise and promote positive student behaviour in accordance with school rewards system and behaviour policies

• Report uncharacteristic student behaviour patterns and Child Protection concerns about an individual student and incidents of inappropriate behaviour to the Designated Safeguard Lead within the academy/school.

• Attend internal meetings, including meetings of the Faculty/Student Support Faculty.

• Provide information to support student progress including information for student records, reports, Individual Education Plans and annual reviews

• Provide an appropriate level of assistance to enable students to experience a sense of achievement, maintain self-esteem and self-confidence and encourage self-help skills

• Use appropriate strategies for challenging and motivating students to learn

What's involved with a Specialist SEND TA Apprenticeship?

Training is delivered through a mix of live and on-demand sessions and online content, along with regular support and check-ins from KMT and your school-based mentor. A proportion of your working hours across the apprenticeship will be dedicated to you gaining new learning, putting this into practice on the job, and reflection and feedback. You will build up a portfolio of evidence throughout the programme that evidences your progress and you will also complete some presentations and written assignments as part of your overall assessment.

Duration: 18 months (10 modules over 10 half-terms)

Entry Requirements

• GCSE Maths & English at Grade C/4 or above or Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths & English or the capacity to study and pass Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths & English while on the programme.

• Right to live, work and study in the UK and, if applicable, a valid visa to cover the entire duration of the apprenticeship.

• Resident in the UK continuously for the past 3 years. (Some exclusions do apply- please contact us for an assessment if you do not meet this requirement.)

• At least 2 years’ experience working as a Teaching Assistant or Learning Support Assistant to a high standard, and the endorsement of your school that you are ready for Level 5 study.

• A position of employment that will continue throughout the apprenticeship of at least 30 hours per week. (Speak with us for an assessment if your contract is less than 30 hours.)