Teaching Assistant Level 2 Course in Poole. Classes run at Bournemouth and Poole College of Further Education, part-time during the day. The course runs over 10 months and combines regular college workshops with practical experience in a school or college setting. You'll need to be working or volunteering as a teaching assistant for at least 10 hours per week alongside your studies. Units cover behaviour support, safeguarding, equality and diversity, children's development, and maintaining a positive learning environment. This level 2 teaching assistant qualification is awarded by NCFE.
Who this course is for
This course will help you to develop the knowledge and skills required to provide effective support as a teaching assistant in a school or college.
Volunteering or working for 10 hours per week in school will help to develop your practical skills whilst regular college workshops will provide you with vital underpinning knowledge.
The sessions are run by experienced tutors & you will be assigned a workplace assessor who will visit you in school to assess your practice and provide constructive guidance. Your knowledge is assessed by regular assignments.
What our students say:
'The course has given me the knowledge & understanding needed to work as a TA. Classroom experience alone wouldn't have been enough to work in this role.'
'It (the course) has been extremely valuable to become a competent TA.'
'I wish I had done the course years ago. The tutor was brilliant, so supportive throughout...'
'Informative sessions. I always looked forward to attending.'
Entry requirements
You need to have be working or have arranged a placement volunteering as a teaching assistant for 10 hours per week in a school. Ideally you will have gained 3 months experience before embarking on this course.
As courses involve completion of assignments and reflective accounts, a reasonable standard of literacy is required.
At interview, students will complete a short literacy assessment or provide evidence of their competence e.g. GCSE English certificate at Grade C/Level 4 or Functional
What you will learn
You'll learn how to support positive behaviour in a learning environment for children and young people.
You'll understand children and young people's development and how to apply it in practice.
You'll learn how to maintain supportive relationships with children and young people.
You'll cover safeguarding responsibilities and how to keep children and young people safe.
You'll explore equality, diversity, and inclusion in a learning environment.
You'll learn how to contribute effectively to teamwork in a school or college setting.
You'll understand children and young people's play and leisure.
You'll learn how to create and maintain displays in a learning environment.
How you will learn
You'll attend regular daytime workshops at Bournemouth & Poole College Of Further Education for underpinning knowledge. Alongside this, you complete 10 hours a week working or volunteering in a school or college to develop practical skills. A workplace assessor visits you in your placement to observe your practice and give guidance. Your knowledge is assessed through written assignments and reflective accounts. A short literacy assessment or evidence of literacy competence is required at interview.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Bournemouth & Poole College Of Further Education will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Teaching assistant: support teachers and pupils in primary or secondary schools.
Learning support assistant: work one-to-one with pupils who need extra help.
Special educational needs (SEN) support assistant: assist pupils with additional needs.
Early years teaching assistant: support learning in nursery or reception classes.
Cover supervisor: manage a classroom when the teacher is absent.
Classroom assistant: provide general support across lessons and activities.
What you could study next
Level 3 Award in Education and Training: a stepping stone toward teaching or training roles in further education.
Level 3 Certificate or Diploma for Teaching Assistants: deepens your knowledge and can support progression to senior TA or HLTA roles.
Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Status: recognised by schools for TAs taking on greater responsibility in the classroom.
