Level 3 Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools Course. Work-based training at your workplace. You study while working in a school as a teaching assistant, learning support assistant, or special needs assistant. The course takes around 12 months and covers specialist skills for supporting children, including those with special educational needs or disabilities. Assessment takes place in your school setting, so your day-to-day work is central to how you qualify. The cost can be self-funded, covered by your employer, or financed through an Advanced Learner Loan.
Who this course is for
This course is suitable for anyone who currently works or would like to work, as a teaching assistant, learning support assistant or special needs assistant in a primary, secondary or special school. It's a work-based qualification so you achieve it through experience in a real work setting. It will give you the opportunity to build and develop more specialist skills for work, for example with children with special needs or disabilities.
Entry requirements
4-5 GCSEs grade 4 (C) or above including maths and English or a relevant level 2 qualification. Youll need to be employed, volunteering or on placement in a school as some of your assessment must take place in a real work environment. Adult learners without the required entry qualifications may be considered with relevant work experience.
What you will learn
You'll develop specialist skills for supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
You'll learn how to assist with teaching and learning across primary, secondary, or special school settings.
You'll understand how to adapt support to meet individual pupil needs.
You'll build knowledge of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
You'll learn how to communicate and collaborate effectively with teachers and other school staff.
You'll develop strategies for supporting pupils' social, emotional, and behavioural development.
How you will learn
Assessment takes place in your workplace. You'll build a portfolio of evidence drawn from your day-to-day work in a school setting. This includes observations of your practice, witness testimonies from colleagues or supervisors, and written work or reflective accounts. Because this is a work-based qualification, your assessor will visit you in your school to observe and verify your competence directly.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. FW Solutions will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Teaching assistant: supporting classroom learning in primary or secondary schools.
Special educational needs (SEN) teaching assistant: working with pupils with additional needs.
Learning support assistant: providing targeted support to individual pupils.
Special needs assistant: working in special schools or specialist units.
Higher level teaching assistant (HLTA): taking on greater responsibility in the classroom.
What you could study next
Level 3 Award in Education and Training: useful if you want to move into a training or coaching role.
Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training: a step toward becoming a qualified teacher or trainer.
Foundation Degree in Teaching and Learning Support: a higher education route for those looking to deepen their expertise and move into more senior school roles.
