This Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools certificate is an entry-level course to become a Level 2 Teaching Assistant. Ideal for people with zero exposure to working in education, e.g. apprentices, new school leavers. However, if you’ve a hint of experience in working in education, then the Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching & Learning  is far more beneficial to your career – it’s also a requirement to work in a school environment!
Please Note: We’ve designed our STL Level 3 to also incorporate the main information you’ll learn on this STL Level 2 course. As most schools require a level 3, this means you can bypass level 2 if you want to. This Level 2 certificate, however, will provide you with the core knowledge and skills needed to progress towards a supervised support role with children or young people in primary, secondary or special schools.
A teaching assistant qualification can be beneficial when improving job prospects and gain substantial knowledge about child development. It is aimed at learners working in roles that support pupils’ learning in primary, secondary or special schools.
This Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools provides successful students with a qualification listed on the Qualifications and Credit Framework Database. This is a competence-based qualification suitable for all roles in schools, including site staff, administrators etc as well as those who work directly with children and young people and those who require initial training or an induction to a new role. It seeks to develop the knowledge and understanding that all those working in a school setting will need and covers areas such as safeguarding, communication and understanding the school context.
This Teaching Assistant course aims to enable learners to understand the roles and responsibilities of those involved in supporting teaching and learning in schools, and provides an opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge required to do this effectively. This qualification is suitable for learners aged 16 and above and is also for those members of the school workforce who directly support the teaching and learning of pupils.
Whilst the core theory is studied online, students will need to arrange and undertake a work placement (or employment) in a school environment. We recommend 50 hours, allowing the centre to ensure that candidates complete sufficient hours to enable development and to be able to show competence in both knowledge and skills. After successful completion of this qualification, you will be ‘job-ready’.
On This Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning course, you will:
- Gain substantial knowledge about child development
- Enhance your employability
- Develop the knowledge and skills required to provide effective support as a Teaching Assistant
- Learn how to support the Teacher and the delivery of curriculum within a school
- Developing skills to help children and young people to develop self-esteem, independence and skills for learning
An ideal starting course for people with zero exposure to working in education, e.g. apprentices, new school leavers.
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A formal qualificationThis course is a formally recognised RQF qualification and is recognised throughout the UK, Europe and beyond.
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Study with winners
We’re an award-winning learning provider and have been recognised for our cutting-edge learning techniques.
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Unlimited Tutor Support
Get as much help and support as you want from your personal course tutor via email and phone.
- Awarding body: NCFE CACHE
- Our course code: X200
- Qualification code: 501/0031/2
- Official Qualification Title: NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
CACHE stands for the Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education, and are the leading specialist Awarding Organisation for the Care and Education Sector.
Study Hours
Up to 200 hours, which is around 30 minutes per day for 12 months.
Study Method
Throughout this course, you may be expected to complete assignments, essays, research projects, posters, leaflets, presentations, PowerPoint presentations, video/audio recordings, work-based and practical learning sessions to meet the requirements of your course. This information will be included in your study pack detailing exactly what you need to do to accomplish your goals as a student.
Course Duration
You have up to a year to complete this course and we have included a suggested number of study hours. This is usually ample time for learners, even with full-time jobs and other commitments. Don’t worry if you go over the year though, we can organise an extension to your course for an additional fee, which also extends your tutor support.
Assessment
To achieve this qualification, you must achieve 9 mandatory units, totalling 24 credits, 1 unit from Option Group A and 1-2 units (minimum 3 credits) from Option Group B, to make a total of 30 credits.
Coursework and Observation
Students are required to compile a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates their learning against each of the assessment criteria of the course. Portfolios are assessed by a tutor. Some portfolio evidence will need to be witnessed by a competent person in the workplace hence students must be employed in a school or arrange and complete a work experience placement.
Students will need to be working or volunteering in a school environment as they need to show competence in both knowledge and skills the number of hours to complete is 50.
During your school placement, observation by a qualified teacher, assessor, or potentially, a higher level of management, is required to complete your course. During your placement, observation by an assessor or qualified teacher is required. We recommend finding yourself an assessor. Find out what is required of an assessor here.
However, if that proves difficult, we can send an assessor to observe you for an additional fee. Please contact us to find out more.
This is a regulated qualification that is internally assessed and externally quality assured. Staff involved in the assessment and internal quality assurance of this qualification are able to demonstrate that they have the relevant occupational knowledge and competence, at the same level or higher as the units being evaluated.
The completion of an Evidence Record and Record of Assessment Cycle form is mandatory. This will be provided and your tutor will detail exactly what is needed.
Course Outcomes
In 2015, NCFE acquired CACHE. As of September 2017, our CACHE courses will now be known as NCFE CACHE, and you will receive your certificate from both awarding bodies.
This qualification comes with NCFE CACHE Level 2 certification. NCFE CACHE have been developing courses in the childcare, education and healthcare sectors since 1945 and are one of the most reputable awarding bodies for qualifications in the UK and overseas. Practitioners working in these areas are much more employable having gained NCFE CACHE certification and many employers specifically ask for their qualifications when taking on members of staff.
With this qualification, you will have the knowledge, understanding and skills to work in a variety of supervised roles that support pupil’s learning in schools, such as:
- Teaching Assistant
- Learning Support Assistant
- Special Needs Assistant
However, we recommend you continue your studying so you can gain more leadership responsibilities, skills and higher positions.
This course prepares you to progress to:
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools
- Advanced Apprenticeship in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
Additional Information
Official Qualification Title - NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
Difficulty - Level 2
Entry requirements - You don't need any prior skills in the subject area to start this course.
Minimum Enrolment Age - 16 years
Credits - 30
Course Content
This unit aims to develop knowledge and understanding of child and young person development and the factors, including transitions, which may affect development.
Learn about the legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding the welfare of children and young people, including e-safety.
Know what to do when children or young people are ill or injured, including emergency procedures.
Know how to respond to evidence or concerns that a child or young person has been abused, harmed or bullied.
3:
Communication and professional relationships with children, young people and adults (mandatory unit)
This unit provides the knowledge and understanding that underpins effective communication, responses and professional relationships with children, young people and adults.
Learn about current legislation, policies and procedures for confidentiality and sharing information, including data protection.
This unit provides knowledge and understanding of policies and practices to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people.
Learn about the impact of prejudice and discrimination on children and young people.
This unit provides the knowledge, understanding and skills required to help improve own and team practice in schools.
It requires demonstration of competence in reflecting on and improving own practice, and supporting the work of the team.
This unit covers the competence required to maintain and support relationships with children and young people.
It requires demonstration of competence in communicating with children and young people, developing and maintaining relationships with children and young people, and supporting relationships between children and young people and others in the work setting.
This unit provides the knowledge, understanding and skills required to support the health and safety of children and young people. You will learn the legislative and policy framework for health and safety.
It requires demonstration of competence in recognising and dealing with risks in the work setting, supporting children and young people to assess and manage risk for themselves and responding to emergency situations.
This unit provides the knowledge, understanding and skills required to support children and young people’s positive behaviour.
It requires demonstration of competence in supporting positive behaviour and responding to inappropriate behaviour.
This unit provides the knowledge, understanding and skills to support learning activities. It requires competence in supporting the planning, delivery, assessment and review cycle.
You will be able to support the teacher in all aspects of delivering learning activities.
You will be able to observe and report on learner participation and progress.
You will be able to evaluate own practice in relation to supporting literacy, numeracy and ICT.
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Frequently Asked Questions
We have some answers to common student questions, but if you can't find the answer you're looking for then please contact us and we will do everything we can to answer your questions.
You will have access to your personal tutor, via email and telephone, who will mark your assignments and guide you through the course. In addition, you will be supplied with a comprehensive Study Guide which will help you through the study and assessment process. Your personal tutor will be highly experienced in their subject area and qualified to teach.
You don’t need any prior skills in the subject area to start. However, as with all of our courses, we recommend a reasonable level of English reading and writing ability.
We provide all the specially written learning materials you require to study this course at home. The course fee also includes tutor support for 12 months.
No, this course is assessed by coursework alone.
No, all of the study materials are supplied within your learning pack.
During your placement, observation is required to complete your course, conducted by a qualified teacher, assessor, or potentially, a higher-level manager. You can find yourself an observer, or we can send one of our tutors to come observe you. There will be an additional cost starting from £250 per day for us to come and assess you. However, there will be a discounted rate based on total number of days you need to be observed or assessed. This can be discussed with your tutor to ensure it meets your personal requirements as a learner. Â
If you arrange your own observer, they will need to be suitably qualified and evidence of this will be required. If needed, your tutor can provide information, support and training for your chosen observer to fully understand the requirements of observation.Â
Most students finish comfortably within the course duration period given. However, if you do need more time, your personal tutor support can be extended for an additional fee.
That’s fine, this course can be studied anywhere and is completed by submitting Tutor marked assignments (TMAs).
Please check our FAQs section or Contact Us, we are happy to answer any questions you have.