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Free Level 3 Teaching Assistant Course in Buxton

CostFREE
Duration34 weeks
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start21 Sep 2026
Study modePart-time
AttendanceEvening
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
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About this course

Free Teaching Assistant Level 3 Course in Buxton. Evening teaching assistant classes run at University of Derby Buxton Campus, so you can fit study around work or other commitments. You'll need to be working or volunteering in a school or college setting for at least half a day a week. The course covers the knowledge and skills needed to support children and young people's learning in schools, colleges, or special schools. It runs over 34 weeks part-time. A DBS check is required before you start.

Who this course is for

This qualification provides an in-depth understanding of the knowledge and skills required when working directly with children or young people in schools, colleges or special schools. The course is suitable for anyone working in roles that offer specialist support for pupils’ learning. It is suitable for teaching assistants, learning support assistants, parent support advisors, learning mentors or those in similar roles at Level 3. Learners who are not currently employed in this type of work will undertake a voluntary placement in a school or college setting in order to develop competence in both knowledge and skills.

Entry requirements

Learners will need to be working or volunteering in a practical placement within a school or college – a minimum of half a day – but a full day is preferred and recommended per week. A good standard of English, maths and ICT is required. As your programme will involve working with children, you will be required to undertake a satisfactory disclosure and barring service (DBS) check. Learners will be offered an interview to assess their suitability for the course.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop an in-depth understanding of how to support pupils' learning in classroom settings.
  • You'll learn how to provide specialist support for children and young people with additional needs.
  • You'll understand safeguarding responsibilities when working with children and young people.
  • You'll build knowledge of child and adolescent development relevant to educational settings.
  • You'll learn how to work effectively alongside teachers and other school staff.
  • You'll understand how to support pupils' communication, literacy, and numeracy development.
  • You'll develop skills in monitoring and reporting on pupil progress.

How you will learn

Classes are delivered in the evening at University of Derby Buxton Campus. Learning is supported by your practical placement in a school or college, where you apply skills directly with children or young people. Assessment is based on evidence gathered from your workplace setting. You'll attend an interview before starting to confirm the course is the right fit for you.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. University of Derby Buxton Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start. You will need to arrange a suitable school or college placement before the course begins, and you must complete a satisfactory DBS check.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Teaching assistant: support pupils' learning day to day in primary or secondary schools.
  • Learning support assistant: work one-to-one or in small groups with pupils who need extra help.
  • Special educational needs (SEN) support assistant: assist pupils with additional needs in specialist or mainstream settings.
  • Learning mentor: guide and motivate students who need pastoral or academic support.
  • Parent support advisor: help families engage with school and access wider services.
  • Cover supervisor: manage classrooms and support learning in a teacher's absence.

What you could study next

  • Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training: a route into further education teaching if you want to teach in colleges or training settings.
  • Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training: a fuller teaching qualification for those aiming to lead learning in FE or adult education.
  • Early Years Teacher Status or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS): for those who want to move into a fully qualified teaching role in schools, requiring further study through a university or school-based programme.
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