Apprentice Teaching Assistant
Villa Real School
Consett (DH8 6BH)
Closes in 15 days (Friday 5 June 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 20 May 2026
Contents
Summary
A rare opportunity has arisen within Villa Real School. We are seeking an ambitious Apprentice Teaching Assistant to complement our class teams.
- Wage
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£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Teaching assistant (level 3)
- Hours
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Term time only. Monday - Friday - 37 hours per week. Plus 2 weeks within school holidays.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- Positions available
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1
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
The responsibilities of the post are to be carried out in keeping with the ethos of the school and within the agreed school policies and aims. The education, safety and all round wellbeing of the pupils and students is the reason for the existence of Villa Real School.
This job may require exposure to some difficult working conditions. For example, being in contact with bodily fluids or exposure to children who may exhibit challenging behaviours. (We also have a small but significant group of children with complex and/or life threatening medical conditions).
Training in manual handling, positioning, eating and feeding, health and safety, team teach, behaviour management, hydrotherapy and Safeguarding (child protection) is part of the school training package. Support is provided until the post holder is able to carry out the routines as part the team.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Support for Pupils, Teachers and the Curriculum:
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Work as part of a multi-professional team to meet the needs of pupils and students attending Villa Real School
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Behave in a professional way at all times in keeping with the vision and ethos of the school.
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Work with individuals or groups of pupils carrying out educational programmes, as directed by the teacher
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Make contributions to assessments, reviews and discussions on pupil’s achievements and developments
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Support with eating and feeding programmes, communication targets, moving and handling plans, medical management plans, behaviour management plans and toilet training programmes as directed by the teacher
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During breaks, supervise pupils
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Take a full part in both school based and externally provided professional development
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Work in any department of the school when necessary and as directed by the Senior Management Team
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Carry out other duties or responsibilities as required by the Head Teacher which contribute to the smooth running of the classroom or the school as a whole
The above is not exhaustive and the post holder will be expected to undertake any duties which may reasonably fall within the level of responsibility and the competence of the post as directed by the Head Teacher.
Where you'll work
Villa Real Road
Consett
DH8 6BH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
EAST DURHAM 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
The apprenticeship involves one college day per month and the apprentice will receive regular visits from their trainer coach.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
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
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
About this employer
Villa Real School is an all age 2 to 19 years Special School with pupils with SLD, PMLD and Autism.
The Governors are seeking to employ a dynamic and enthusiastic Apprentice Teaching Assistant to enhance the care and support in our school.
Villa Real is a truly wonderful place to work. It is a special place to visit and provides the children and families it supports great opportunities. Our children are taught via a bespoke curriculum that meets their needs.
We offer a happy, caring and stimulating environment, where everybody is welcomed and respected. Our ethos and core values support this model and are lived out in the daily work of the school and within the community.
Our ambition, and yours, will be that Villa Real will continue to be a centre of excellence for promoting the latest inclusive practices within education; locally, regionally and nationally. Our pupils deserve an education that will change their lives and give them the opportunity to fulfil their full potential, and in turn the special candidate will enjoy a fulfilling career, releasing your potential and maximising your impact in a forward thinking and innovative ethos.
After this apprenticeship
Following the successful completion of the apprenticeship, there is a possibility of further training and/or full time employment.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
EAST DURHAM COLLEGE
Sarah English
sarah.english@eastdurham.ac.uk
0191 5188262
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000032628.
Apply now
Closes in 15 days (Friday 5 June 2026 at 11:59pm)