Teaching Assistant Apprentice

MELROSE LEARNING TRUST

DARLINGTON (DL3 8JA)

Closes in 14 days (Tuesday 30 June 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 16 June 2026

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Summary

Under the direction of the Head Teacher or a designated teacher, duties will include safeguarding and caring for pupils with special educational needs. Assisting teachers in the delivery of a multisensory curriculum. Work may be carried out in the classroom or outside the main teaching area.

Wage

£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary is pro-rata as £13,334.80 and is Term Time Only position

Training course
Teaching assistant (level 3)
Hours
Working between 8.00am and 6.00pm, 5 days per week inclusive of 1-day release for study at Darlington College.

37 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

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

  • Attend to personal needs, including social, health, hygiene, first aid, and welfare
  • Assist with sick children and those with minor injuries
  • Help during mealtimes for children who have difficulty feeding themselves and supervise play
  • Aid in removing and replacing outer clothing and aprons
  • Encourage independence, self-help skills, and good hygiene practices
  • Assist with practical tasks, social training, and act as a positive role model
  • Assist with school displays and educational visits
  • Establish supportive relationships with children and parents, responding to individual needs
  • Promote self-esteem and independence in children
  • Prepare and maintain educational equipment/resources
  • Facilitate safety and development during individual or group activities
  • Support structured learning activities and promote independent learning
  • Foster inclusion and support for children with special needs
  • Participate in professional development to provide feedback on pupil progress
  • Assist with literacy and numeracy programs, recording achievement and progress
  • Support the use of ICT in learning and develop pupils’ competence and independence
  • Prepare and clear classrooms and work areas for lessons as directed
  • Monitor and report on individual children’s needs and behaviours
  • Contribute to records of children’s development
  • Provide administrative support for lesson planning and resources
  • Maintain pupil records and report on progress
  • Assist in planning and delivering work programs for children
  • Help in creating a supportive learning environment and displaying pupils’ work
  • Use strategies to support pupils’ learning goals and raise achievement
  • Monitor pupils’ responses and record progress accurately
  • Provide detailed feedback on pupils’ progress and behaviour
  • Be aware of school policies and procedures
  • Maintain confidentiality on school-related issues
  • Attend relevant meetings and participate in training activities
  • Supervise pupils outside lesson times, including before/after school and lunchtimes
  • Accompany staff and pupils on school trips and activities
  • Safeguard and promote the welfare of children, adhering to procedures
  • Comply with health and safety policies and report incidents/hazards
  • Take a proactive approach to health and safety to protect yourself and others
  • Confidence in assisting with basic numeracy and literacy
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
  • Engaging with a range of people, particularly children
  • Organisational skills and flexibility in dealing with changes
  • Ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
  • Common-sense approach to tasks
  • Fairness and positive role modeling
  • Patience, understanding, and willingness to help with personal needs
  • Confidentiality in handling information
  • Reliability and a flexible approach to work
  • Caring and sensitive disposition
  • Good organisational skills and a calm, positive attitude

Where you'll work

CLEVELAND TERRACE
DARLINGTON
DL3 8JA

Training

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

Training provider

DARLINGTON 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

  • Working 5 days per week inclusive of 1-day release for study at Darlington College
  • Training will be given in line with the Teaching Assistant Standard and will follow the Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning (new syllabus)

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 GCSE Including Maths & English (grade 4/C)

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
  • Team working
  • Patience
  • Interpersonal
  • Reliable
  • Self- assessment
  • Flexible
  • Prioritise
  • Confidence

Other requirements

  • Please note that in line with UK apprenticeship regulations, you must have a valid and eligible residency status and the right to work in England. This should cover the entire expected term of learning and residency should be held for a minimum of 3 years, exceptions may apply please see Apprenticeship funding rules for full guidance
  • The successful applicant will be required to comply with all school policies, including the No Smoking policy.
  • The successful applicant will be subject to relevant vetting checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure before an offer of appointment is confirmed. Following appointment, the employee will be subject to rechecking as required from time to time by the authority.

About this employer

Abbey School aims to provide a high quality, relevant educational community which enables children to achieve their best in a safe, creative and exciting environment. All are valued and inspired to flourish and grow as individuals, leaving us believing anything is possible! Our aims reflect our beliefs, values and represent our vision and what we want to achieve as a school community. We endeavour to move the school forward and meet the challenges of an ever-changing world.

http://abbeyfed.darlington.sch.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

  • The vacancy is Term Time only
  • Further progression may well be available in other areas within our sector, upon successful completion of the apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DARLINGTON COLLEGE

Nagina Patrai

npatrai@darlington.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000037369.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Tuesday 30 June 2026 at 11:59pm)