Free Teaching Assistant Level 3 Course in Birmingham. Classes run at Matthew Boulton College, with daytime sessions spread across 41 weeks to fit around other commitments. You'll need at least one year of experience supporting learning in a school setting, a minimum of 12 hours per week, plus four GCSEs at Grade 3 or above (including English and Maths), or Level 1 Functional Skills in both. A DBS check is also required. The course covers specialist skills for 1:1 support, intervention leadership, bilingual support, and lead teaching assistant roles across primary, secondary, and further education settings.
Who this course is for
This Level 3 Specialist Diploma is ideal for those working in or aspiring to
roles such as 1:1 support, bilingual support, intervention leadership, peer
mentoring, or lead teaching assistant. Whether you're already in a support role
or looking to progress your career, this course provides a strong foundation of
specialist knowledge and practical skills for working in Primary, Secondary, or
Further Education settings.
Entry requirements
You must be aged 19 or over and hold at least four GCSEs at Grade 3 (D) or
above, including English and Maths, or have Level 1 Functional Skills in both
subjects. A DBS check is required. You�ll also need at least one year of
experience supporting learning in a school setting, either employed or
voluntary, for a minimum of 12 hours per week.
What you will learn
You'll develop specialist knowledge for supporting learners in primary, secondary, and further education settings.
You'll build skills for delivering 1:1 support and targeted intervention programmes.
You'll learn how to lead peer mentoring and small group learning activities.
You'll understand how to provide bilingual support for pupils with additional language needs.
You'll explore the responsibilities of a lead teaching assistant role.
You'll learn how to work alongside teachers to plan and adapt learning activities.
You'll develop your understanding of safeguarding, inclusion, and professional practice in schools.
How you will learn
Learning takes place in the classroom at Matthew Boulton College, with daytime sessions over 41 weeks. Assessment is practical and knowledge-based, drawing on your experience in a school or education setting. You'll build a portfolio of evidence from your workplace alongside written assignments and observations. A minimum of 12 hours per week in a school placement, either employed or voluntary, is required throughout the course.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Matthew Boulton College will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Teaching assistant. Support pupils across primary or secondary school.
Lead teaching assistant. Take responsibility for a team of support staff.
1:1 support assistant. Work with individual pupils with additional needs.
SEND support assistant. Specialist support for pupils with special educational needs.
Intervention leader. Run targeted programmes for pupils who need extra help.
Bilingual support assistant. Support pupils whose first language is not English.
Learning support assistant in further education. Work with adult learners in colleges.
What you could study next
Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training. A step toward teaching in further education or adult learning settings.
Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training. The main qualification for those wanting to teach in further education.
Early Years Teacher Status or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). For those considering a move into classroom teaching. These require separate university-level programmes and are not direct progressions from this Diploma alone.
