Teaching Assistant Apprentice

Hexham Priory School

Northumberland (NE46 1UY)

Closes on Friday 3 July 2026

Posted on 22 May 2026

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Summary

Hexham Priory School is a specialist school for children and young people aged 2-19 with severe and complex learning disabilities, including Autism. The school provides a nurturing, inclusive environment with personalised learning and dedicated staff supporting every pupil to thrive and achieve their full potential.

Wage

£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Apprenticeship Minimum Wage £8 Per hour, term time only to school hours. 

Training course
Teaching assistant (level 3)
Hours
08:30 - 16:00, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 08:30 - 16:30 on Wednesday, 08:30 - 15:30 on Friday.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

3

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

  • Work under the direct instruction of teaching staff to support pupils’ access to learning within the classroom and across wider school settings
  • Support children and young people with a range of special educational needs including Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and pupils experiencing emotional distress
  • Promote and safeguard the welfare of all pupils by maintaining a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment at all times
  • Provide support with personal care, hygiene, health, emotional wellbeing and welfare needs in line with individual care plans and school procedures
  • Supervise and support pupils throughout the school day to ensure their safety, wellbeing and engagement in learning activities
  • Build positive, professional and supportive relationships with pupils while acting as a consistent role model within the school environment
  • Encourage pupils to develop confidence, independence, self-esteem and positive social interaction skills
  • Support pupils to engage positively in learning, play, communication and social development activities
  • Assist the class teacher in delivering engaging learning opportunities for individual pupils and small groups
  • Adapt learning activities, resources and support strategies to meet the individual needs and abilities of pupils
  • Provide constructive feedback to pupils and report on progress, achievements and concerns to the class teacher
  • Prepare classrooms, learning resources and specialist equipment before lessons and support with tidying and organisation afterwards
  • Support the presentation and celebration of pupils’ work through classroom and school displays
  • Assist in maintaining accurate pupil records, documentation and assessment information as directed by teaching staff
  • Support positive behaviour management strategies in line with school policies and individual pupil needs
  • Work collaboratively with parents, carers and external professionals to support pupil development, wellbeing and educational progress
  • Undertake routine marking, assessment support and invigilation duties where appropriate
  • Carry out administrative and clerical tasks including photocopying, preparation of classroom materials and basic word processing
  • Support pupils in the use of ICT, communication aids and specialist learning resources
  • Assist with the preparation, maintenance and safe use of classroom equipment and learning materials
  • Supervise pupils during breaktimes, lunchtimes, educational visits and off-site learning activities as required
  • Contribute positively to the ethos, aims and values of Hexham Priory School at all times
  • Participate in training, professional development and performance management activities to support continued professional growth
  • Comply fully with all school policies and procedures including Safeguarding, Equality, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Data Protection and Professional Conduct
  • Work flexibly across the school to support different classes, departments and pupil needs where required
  • Undertake any other duties appropriate to the nature and level of the role as directed by Senior Management

Where you'll work

Hexham Prior School
Corbridge Road
Hexham
Northumberland
NE46 1UY

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

DERWENTSIDE COLLEGE

Training course

Teaching assistant (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Apply strategies to support and encourage the development of independent learners.
  • Adapt communication strategies for the audience and context.
  • Apply behaviour management strategies in line with organisational policy.
  • Adapt resources to support all learners.
  • Communicate with teachers to ensure clarity of the TA’s role.
  • Apply teaching strategies to deliver learning activities or interventions.
  • Build relationships with learners, teachers, other professionals and stakeholders.
  • Comply with legislation, guidance, and procedures for Prevent, safeguarding and health & safety.
  • Support the well-being and mental health of learners.
  • Observe, record, and report on learners in line with organisational procedures.
  • Apply methods of formative assessment.
  • Use up to date technology safely, to support learning.
  • Encourage safe use of technology by learners.
  • Adapt teaching strategies to support all learners (for example, scaffolding, open questioning).
  • Identify and respond to pastoral and academic behaviours in learners.
  • Provide feedback to learners.
  • Apply strategies to support and encourage the development of independent learners.
  • Adapt communication strategies for the audience and context.
  • Apply behaviour management strategies in line with organisational policy.
  • Adapt resources to support all learners.
  • Communicate with teachers to ensure clarity of the TA’s role.
  • Apply teaching strategies to deliver learning activities or interventions.
  • Build relationships with learners, teachers, other professionals and stakeholders.
  • Comply with legislation, guidance, and procedures for Prevent, safeguarding and health & safety.
  • Support the well-being and mental health of learners.
  • Observe, record, and report on learners in line with organisational procedures.
  • Apply methods of formative assessment.
  • Use up to date technology safely, to support learning.
  • Encourage safe use of technology by learners.
  • Adapt teaching strategies to support all learners (for example, scaffolding, open questioning).
  • Identify and respond to pastoral and academic behaviours in learners.
  • Provide feedback to learners.

Training schedule

Level 3 Teaching Assistant is completed fully within the workplace, no requirement to attend college. The training will be delivered by Derwentside College. Each learner will be allocated to one of our industry trained training consultants who will support you through the duration of your apprenticeship training. 

More training information

  • Derwentside College
  • 18 months + End Point Assessment Period

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4-C Above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

About this employer

Hexham Priory School is a specialist school in West Northumberland supporting children and young people aged 2–19 with severe, profound and multiple learning disabilities, including Autism. As part of the northern hub of the Eden Academy Trust, the school works collaboratively within a family of specialist settings committed to delivering outstanding education and care.

The school provides a nurturing, inclusive and inspiring environment where every pupil is encouraged to thrive. Staff are passionate about creating a positive and supportive culture in which pupils feel safe, valued and empowered to achieve their full potential.

With highly skilled staff and specialist facilities, the school delivers personalised learning experiences tailored to the individual needs of each pupil. Working closely with parents, carers and external professionals, the team is dedicated to developing meaningful opportunities that support each child and young person both academically and personally.

https://hexhamprioryschool.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

For the right candidate a permanent position will be considered.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DERWENTSIDE COLLEGE

Derwentside College

apprenticeships@derwentside.ac.uk

01207 585914

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000032446.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 3 July 2026