Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship - SEND SPECIALIST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL for GIRLS

PHOENIX PLACE

LONDON (SE5 0NA)

Closes on Saturday 1 August 2026

Posted on 7 May 2026

Print

Contents

Summary

The Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship with Best Practice Network is designed for those who want to start or develop a career supporting children in schools. The programme combines paid work in a school with structured training, allowing apprentices to gain real classroom experience while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.

Wage

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

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Apprentice wage £8 per hour for the first 12 months and national minimum wage for your age thereafter. 

Training course
Teaching assistant (level 3)
Hours
(8.30am ‑ 4.00pm) Term‑time only, 39 weeks

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Sunday 2 August 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

4

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

As a Teaching Assistant apprentice, you will work in a school setting supporting teachers and pupils on a day-to-day basis while completing your apprenticeship training.

You will:

  • Support pupils during lessons, individually or in small groups
    Help children with their learning, including reading, writing, and maths activities
  • Assist pupils with additional needs, following guidance from the teacher or SEN team
  • Prepare classroom resources and help set up learning activities
  • Support behaviour and encourage positive learning attitudes
  • Help create a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment
  • Supervise pupils during activities, break times, or school events when required
  • Observe and learn from experienced staff to build confidence and skills
  • Complete apprenticeship coursework and training as part of your role
  • Work closely with teachers and other school staff to support pupils’ progress
  • Throughout the apprenticeship, you’ll receive support from your school and tutor, helping you develop the skills, knowledge, and experience needed for a future career in education

Where you'll work

FAO SOPHIE NELSON
REDCAR STREET
CAMBERWELL
LONDON
SE5 0NA

Training

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

Training provider

BEST PRACTICE NETWORK LIMITED

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

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

Applicants must:

  • Be fully committed to completing the apprenticeship programme
    Have a genuine interest in working as a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teaching Assistant
  • Be willing and able to support children with additional needs in a school environment
  • Be prepared to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
  • Be reliable, punctual, and able to work term time only
  • Be happy to combine work with coursework and training requirements as part of the apprenticeship

About this employer

SPECIALIST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL for GIRLS

 

About Us

We are a small Not-for-Profit specialist school for girls with social, emotional, mental health needs, SEN,  attachment difficulties and/or additional complex needs.

 


Our dedicated staff work and support students who have additional complex needs, such as ASD / Aspergers, ADHD / ADD, Anxiety, Mental Health & Emotional difficulties, Attachment Difficulties / Disorders, ODD, Speech, Language & Communication Difficulties, Learning Difficulties, adverse childhood experiences (ACE's) and Dyslexia. 

 


We provide a safe, supportive/nurturing environment in which students who have previously experienced difficulties can build their self-esteem, build confidence in their learning, positively re-engage in learning, enjoy being a learner and thrive.

 


All of our students have not had successful mainstream school experiences and many  have not been in school or have not been educated for some significant time. Some of our students may have a phobia about school which in turn has had a negative impact on their self-esteem and engagement in learning.

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

After this apprenticeship

After successfully completing the Teaching Assistant apprenticeship, there are several progression routes available within education, depending on experience and interest.

Possible next steps include:

  • Teaching Assistant (qualified role) – continuing in the same setting with increased responsibility
  • Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) – supporting whole classes and leading learning activities
  • Specialist support roles – such as SEND support or one-to-one pupil support
  • Further apprenticeships or qualifications – including higher-level education or childcare pathways
  • Many apprentices go on to build long-term careers in education.
  • The apprenticeship provides a strong foundation of classroom experience, confidence, and practical skills needed to progress within a school environment

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BEST PRACTICE NETWORK LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000030372.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 1 August 2026