Learning Support Assistant Apprentice
BEDFORD INCLUSIVE LEARNING AND TRAINING TRUST
Kempston (MK42 7AB)
Closes in 12 days (Sunday 5 July 2026)
Posted on 22 June 2026
Contents
Summary
Are you passionate about working with children and young people with a range of learning difficulties, development disabilities or behavioural challenges? Rivertree Free School are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual, to work closely with teachers to provide tailored support to their students.
- Wage
-
£13,312 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Teaching assistant (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 3.40pm (30 minute unpaid lunch break) 45.8 weeks per year (plus 5 training days).
32 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 3 August 2026
- Duration
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1 year 9 months
- Positions available
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2
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
Rivertree Free School is a purpose‑built specialist school in the heart of Kempston, designed to provide exceptional education and care for children and young people with complex learning needs, autism, sensory needs and communication challenges. When fully open, they support up to 200 pupils from Early Years to Post‑16 in a setting built specifically around their needs.
This role is ideal for someone looking to begin a career in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) education, while gaining valuable practical experience and recognised qualifications.
Working under the guidance of the Headteacher and teaching staff, the apprentice will develop the skills and knowledge required to support pupils with a range of learning difficulties, developmental disabilities, and behavioural challenges. The role involves assisting pupils in accessing learning opportunities within the classroom and supporting both individual students and small groups with planned activities and educational programmes.
The successful candidate will help create a positive and inclusive learning environment by supporting pupils throughout the school day, ensuring their safety and wellbeing during lessons, break times, transport arrangements, educational visits, and other school activities. They will work closely with teachers to deliver learning activities, promote engagement, and encourage pupils to achieve their individual goals.
The apprenticeship will also involve implementing behaviour support strategies and communication programmes under the direction of teaching staff. In addition, the apprentice will support pupils with aspects of their personal and social development, including activities that promote independence, wellbeing, and confidence. There may also be opportunities to assist with physical education activities, including PE lessons and swimming sessions.
As part of the role, the apprentice will contribute to monitoring and recording pupil progress, preparing educational resources, creating classroom displays, and supporting wider school activities. Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism when working with pupils and their families will be an important responsibility at all times.
This apprenticeship has been designed to provide practical experience alongside structured training and mentoring. The successful candidate will gain valuable transferable skills in SEND education and support while working towards formal apprenticeship qualifications that will help support future career progression within the education sector.
Where you'll work
Manor Drive
Kempston
MK42 7AB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BEDFORD 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.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- Maths (grade 4)
- English (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Ability to use initiative
- Enthusiastic
- Good People Skills
- Willingness to learn
Other requirements
Candidates must attend an initial interview with a member of the Bedford College Apprenticeship Recruitment Team, if they meet the initial criteria as part of the recruitment process. Only Candidates who have fully completed the application will be considered. Please be aware that the closing date is subject to change without prior notice.
The successful candidates will be required to have an enhanced DBS check. Upon offer, The Bedford Inclusive Learning Trust, will also require the completion of their own application form, including details of your full employment history in date order, starting with the most recent. You will be required to list all employment, career breaks, and periods of unemployment, education and voluntary work since leaving secondary education; without any gaps.
Please note that holidays cannot be taken during term time.
About this employer
Greys Education Centre, Secondary Provision provides full time education placements for pupils permanently excluded from school from Years 7-11 on a short term basis. Pupils also attend short term referral placements working in partnership with Bedford Borough Schools. Pupils at Greys Education Centre benefit from accessing the full core curriculum.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Successful completion of this apprenticeship will provide a strong foundation for a stable and rewarding career within the education sector. As you gain experience and develop your skills, there may be opportunities to progress into more senior learning support or specialist SEND roles. The knowledge and qualifications achieved through the apprenticeship could also support future progression into teacher training and a career as a fully qualified teacher.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BEDFORD COLLEGE
Ramona Stevens
jobenquiries@justapply.co.uk
01234 291000
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000038445.
Apply now
Closes in 12 days (Sunday 5 July 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.