What to expect from a Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship?

What to expect from a Teaching Assistant apprenticeship?

Teaching Assistants play a vital role in supporting children and young people across Primary, Secondary, and Special Education settings. They work with pupils of all ages, including those with special educational needs (SEN) and emotional vulnerabilities, helping them to feel included, valued, and capable of success.

At the heart of the role is supporting the class teacher to enhance pupils’ learning — whether working one-on-one or with small groups. Teaching Assistants help students understand their tasks, stay focused, and make progress towards their learning goals. But their impact goes far beyond academics. They nurture self-belief, encourage social inclusion, and build pupils’ confidence and self-esteem, fostering a safe, supportive, and positive learning environment where every child can thrive.

Teaching Assistants are hands-on, helping learners access the curriculum while being positive role models. They act with honesty and integrity, contribute to lesson planning and class activities, and actively participate in team meetings. They also promote life values and skills through spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, encouraging positive behaviours that support pupils’ overall growth and well-being.

In practice, Teaching Assistants might lead small group or individual sessions, adapting lesson plans under the teacher’s guidance. They help implement safeguarding policies, collaborate with other education professionals, and contribute to creating a safe, engaging classroom where learning can flourish.

Their interactions extend across the school community, working closely with a diverse range of learners — including high achievers, those with SEND, EAL pupils, and disadvantaged students. They also build valuable partnerships with teachers, specialists, and families, playing a key part in the wider support network that helps children reach their full potential.

What type of things can I expect to learn when training as a Teaching Assistant Apprentice?

Throughout your training you will work to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours that come with being a Teaching Assistant, active in a classroom setting. These can be found in more detail on the Institute of Apprentices website or in our course pack, however to summarise, these will include:

Support or lead enrichment activities for example visits, out of school activities and in school clubs.

Support or lead enrichment activities for example visits, out of school activities and in school clubs.

• Learning and Support for children within the classroom
• Assessment for Learning
• Understanding the Curriculum
• Child Development
• Understanding policies and procedures
• Teaching and behaviour management strategies
• Supporting SEN in the classroom
• Deliver individual and small group teaching
• Support or lead enrichment activities for example visits, out of school activities and in school clubs.

Specialising as a Teaching Assistant

Our program doesn’t just equip you with the skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed to complete your apprenticeship — it also qualifies you with a Level 3 certificate in Teaching and Learning. But what really sets our program apart is the added value we bring through specialist Physical Education training, which is why so many schools and Academy Trusts choose to work with Venture Education.

Schools are increasingly looking for teaching assistants who can actively contribute to all aspects of school life, especially in PE, school sports, and extracurricular activities. That’s why our program combines the Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification with accredited sports coaching and teaching certifications from 1st4Sport Qualifications. This unique blend of training not only enhances your ability to support students in the classroom but also gives you nationally recognized Level 2 and 3 sports certificates — opening up even more career possibilities.

With this added sports and PE specialism, you’ll gain hands-on training in areas like:

• Supporting children in school PE and understanding the role of sport in the wider community
• Coaching fundamentals and best practices
• Planning, delivering, and evaluating PE and coaching sessions
• Teaching specific sports, including Rugby, Basketball, Racket Sports, and Gymnastics

This additional sports training benefits both the school and the apprentice — enhancing the learning environment while broadening career opportunities. Many of our successful apprentices go on to pursue further training in specialized sports coaching or progress into PE teaching roles.

With Venture Education, you’re not just completing an apprenticeship — you’re building a versatile, future-proof skill set that empowers you to make a lasting impact in education and beyond.

Sport as a teaching assistant specialism is just one example, and one course we offer currently. Venture Education is working to offer more specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeships in future, with focuses towards SEN, Music, Dance and Pastoral and Family Support. 

Teaching Assistants are more than just classroom helpers — they are essential in shaping positive, inclusive learning experiences and making a real difference in the lives of the pupils they support. Training towards a career in education begins with routes such as an apprenticeship, allowing candidates to gain real life experience whilst training and whilst being paid for their time. 

More Information

If you’re interested in hiring a Teaching Assistant Apprentice or providing your staff with additional training in Physical Education and Sport, please do not hesitate to get in touch by filling out the form on our homepage or by emailing Elizabeth@ventureeducation.co.uk.

If you are an employer looking to take on an apprentice (levy paying or non-levy employer) get in touch direct by completing our online form or emailing our Employer Relations Manager – elizabeth@ventureeducation.co.uk

We are looking to partner with more Schools, Multi-Academy Trusts and Local Authorities, as well as limited companies working within sport and education – to help provide the highest standard of apprenticeship training.

Details of our current apprenticeships and qualifications can be found here.