Please note, to enrol on an apprenticeship you must be working in a relevant sector for at least 16 hours per week. If you are not currently employed, you can view our apprenticeship vacancies here. You do not need to be employed to apply for these and new vacancies are added regularly.
The Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprenticeship is for people supporting class teachers in primary, special and secondary education across all age ranges. You’ll help pupils learn in groups or one to one, make sure they understand their work and stay on task, and contribute to planning and class activities, while acting as a positive role model with honesty and integrity.
You learn while you work, building your skills in a school setting. Your training follows the national apprenticeship standard published by Skills England, which sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours you’ll need to show. To finish, you’ll complete an end point assessment made up of a practical observation with questions and answers, and a professional discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence. Your performance decides your overall grade. If you don’t yet have Level 2 English and maths, you’ll achieve them before your end point assessment.
To enrol, you must be working in a relevant sector, such as a school, for at least 16 hours per week. Not currently employed? You don’t need a job to apply for our apprenticeship vacancies, and new roles are added regularly. If you don’t yet have Level 2 English and maths, you’ll need to achieve them before your end point assessment. Not sure this applies to you? Get in touch and our team will be happy to help.
The Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship is a work based programme for individuals who want to support teaching and learning in primary, secondary, or specialist education settings. Apprentices work alongside teachers to help pupils achieve their learning goals while earning a salary and gaining a nationally recognised qualification.
Apprentices support teachers and pupils by helping to create a positive, inclusive, and effective learning environment. Responsibilities include supporting lesson activities, promoting positive behaviour, helping pupils overcome learning barriers, and supporting children with additional needs.
The apprenticeship typically takes around 18 months to complete, depending on experience and progress. Apprentices remain employed throughout, receive support from a dedicated tutor, and complete off the job training during paid working hours.
The most important requirement is that you are employed in a suitable school or educational setting where you can demonstrate the skills required by the apprenticeship standard. Functional Skills support in Maths and English can be provided where needed, and reasonable IT skills are expected for online learning.
The qualification supports progression into more specialised support roles, higher level teaching assistant positions, and further study within education. PTS plans to offer the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship from late 2026, covering areas such as SEND, social and emotional wellbeing, and specialist intervention roles.
