NCFE Cache Level 3 Certificate

NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching & Learning
Become a fully qualified teaching assistant with this accredited, nationally recognised level 3 course.
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Overview

If you’re after an interesting career with a great work-life balance that promises plenty of opportunity for progression, then training to become a teaching assistant could be the right choice for you – and it’s easier than you’d think! This Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning (STL) is a competency-based course that lets you study as you gain practical experience, and at the end of it, you’ll be fully qualified to apply for jobs as a teaching assistant.

On this recognised course, you’ll delve into the health and safety legislation that impacts learning environments, child protection, and the safeguarding of children in an Ofsted-regulated environment. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of child development and examine developmental and psychoanalytical theories. Finally, you’ll discover how to offer the very best support to children as they learn and grow, including how to support development with exploratory and imaginative play.

What you will learn

  1. Unit 1 - Schools and colleges as organisations

    In the opening unit, you’ll take a look at the structure of education in the UK from early years to post-16. You’ll learn about the roles and responsibilities of the other members of staff you’ll likely find yourself working alongside, and the legislation affecting schools such as Equality Act and the Education Act.

  2. Unit 2 - Support health and safety in a learning environment

    In the second unit, you’ll learn what the school you work at should be doing in order to create a safe environment for you and other staff to work in, as well as what will be expected of you in order to keep children safe and well at school. You’ll become familiar with some important legislation, and issues you’ll need to consider when planning learning activities.

  3. Unit 3 - Understand how to safeguard children and young people

    Next, you’ll discover how to spot signs of harm and abuse, bearing in mind that these might not always be obvious. You’ll find out what to do if you suspect abuse is taking place, and also learn how to deal with bullying within peer groups. Moving on, you’ll take a look at how to help your students stay safe online, and how to support their mental health and resilience.

  4. Unit 4 - Develop professional relationships with children, young people and adults

    In unit four, you’ll identify the knowledge and competence needed to effectively communicate and develop professional relationships with children, young people and adults.

  5. Unit 5 - Understand how children and young people develop

    Unit five will focus on developmental theories which help explain how children learn, and the way they behave. You’ll examine psychoanalytic theories suggested by Freud, Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, the operant conditioning model outlined by B.F Skinner, John Watson’s behaviourism model, and more. You’ll also take a look at child development from birth, right through to the teenage years. You’ll learn what’s typical in terms of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development, learning about the issues that children may face along the way.

  6. Unit 6 - Support positive behaviour in children and young people

    In unit six, you’ll develop the skills to support positive behaviour in children and young people. You’ll look at policies and procedures, and learn how to promote positive behaviour as well as manage the challenging behaviour of learners.

  7. Unit 7 - Support children and young people during learning activities

    In this unit, you’ll learn to recognise the skills needed to support all learning activities, including planning, preparation, delivery, assessment and the review cycle.

  8. Unit 8 - Support English and maths skills

    In the eighth unit, you’ll gain the ability to provide English and maths support across teaching and learning. You’ll learn a range of strategies that develop a learner’s confidence to read, write, communicate and solve mathematical problems.

  9. Unit 9 - Support the use of ICT in the learning environment

    Unit nine will develop your capacity to offer ICT support across all teaching and learning environments. You’ll become familiar with policies and procedures, resource preparation, as well as the skills needed to promote learning and support learners to review their achievements.

  10. Unit 10 - Support assessment for learning

    Moving on, you’ll gain the knowledge needed to support assessment learning. You’ll gain awareness for assessment strategies to promote learning, and support learners to review their strategies and achievements. You’ll also recognise the importance of working with teachers to review assessments for processes and outcomes.

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.

Course Outcome

At the end of this course, successful learners will receive the following qualification: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching & Learning. This means that it is independently accredited at a level of learning equivalent to Level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

NCFE CACHE has been developing courses in the childcare, education and healthcare sectors since 1945 and is 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.

How is this course assessed or examined?

During your course, you will compile a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates your learning against various assessment criteria. Some portfolio evidence will need to be witnessed by a suitably competent person in the workplace. As a student, you’ll need to be employed in a school or arrange and complete a work experience placement in Key Stage 1 or above.

Observation:

You’ll need to be observed in a suitable workplace (employed or voluntary) whilst carrying out relevant tasks for 100 hours in total. This observation can be completed by a qualified teacher, assessor, or a higher level of management.

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. Find out what is required of an assessor. If you are unable to find a suitable observer, we can send one of our tutors to observe you for an additional fee, just let us know.

Entry requirements

As part of this course, you’ll need to complete 100 hours of placement in a school working with pupils in Key Stage 1 and upwards – not in nursery or reception. There is a minimum study age of 16.

Courses Taught by Experts

Faye

Early Years

Beginning my career as an early years practitioner inspired me to step into the world of teaching. I have since elevated my skillset through a range of qualifications including L3 in Assessing Vocational Achievement, L3 in Education & Training and L4 in Internal Quality Assurance. I’m a big kid at heart; I love Disney movies and also dabble in photography.  

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Laura

Health care

For 10+ years, my passion for helping learners develop and grow has driven my career as a teacher. To help me progress even further, I am currently studying to achieve the IQA award. I love reading and I’m a self-professed Harry Potter fan. Talk to me about all things history, rock music, tattoos and true crime podcasts. 

Laura, tutor

Sarah

Education and Childcare

My 30-year stride in education started with childminding, to working with pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. I then tutored in a national reading programme and went on to become a Higher-Level TA. I’m elated to say I graduated with a First-Class BA Honours Degree when I was 50 – living proof that it’s never too late to chase your dreams!

Sarah

Kelly

Counselling and Psychology

I always knew that a career focused around helping people achieve their goals was perfect for me. That’s why I became a tutor. I love to see my student’s confidence flourish as they progress through their courses. It’s important to help them fit their learning goals around their personal commitments so they have the best chance of success! 

Kelly, tutor

Penny

STEM and History of Art

Marine biology, jellyfish conservationist, hairdresser, fitness instructor… I have an eclectic backstory! Art is my passion and one of my proudest moments was achieving my Masters in Fine Art. I then requalified as an Art teacher to share my knowledge with my students. For most of my career, I’ve supported vulnerable students with additional needs such as SEMH and SEN.

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