CALAT Croydon Adult Learning and Training
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Teaching assistants

Overview

Our teaching assistant courses are delivered by staff with a range of educational backgrounds and experiences. You will gain an understanding of the rewards and expectations of working within a school environment.

Our classes include fun and challenging activities such as: reflections on practice, case studies, individual and team presentations, role play and researching relevant legislation and policies.

In addition, you will undertake a work placement where you will gain practical experience of how to effectively support learning activities. This will complement the skills and knowledge you will develop throughout the course and fully prepare you for employment in an educational setting.

Courses

We offer the following:

Qualification

You will work toward these qualifications:

  • C & G Entry 3 Award in Employability Skills
  • Ascentis Entry 3 Extended Award in English Skills
  • Ascentis Level 1 Extended Award in English Skills

What this course covers

You will:

  • develop skills and awareness to start a career caring and supporting others
  • improve English skills to enable learners to join L1 courses
  • decide medium/long term goals and next steps
  • understand more about the different courses you could progress to in Work in Schools, Early Years and Care

We will explore these topics:

  • equality and diversity
  • identity, culture, society
  • interpersonal skills and assertiveness
  • learning styles, education experience
  • study skills
  • caring for others
  • risk versus independence
  • safeguarding awareness
  • parenting, culture, difference, values, beliefs

Assessment

This course is assessed by self/peer assessment.

Progression

After this course you will be ready to take:

  • Level 1 Award Preparing to Work in Schools – providing you have achieved, or are working at, level 1 in your writing.
  • L1 Award in Caring for Children

How to enrol

You can find out more and enrol online.

Qualification

You will work toward these qualifications:

  • C&G (City & Guilds) Entry 3 Certificate in Employability Skills
  • Ascentis Level 1 Extended Award in English Skills

What this course covers

You will:

  • prepare effectively for voluntary work in schools
  • make an informed decision about the right course to suit your career and training needs
  • identify the skills and qualities that you could offer as a teaching assistant or another chosen area of employment

You will also need to do some work outside the class. This will include completing assignment tasks, reading articles on current developments in education, and an optional school visit to observe a lesson.

We will explore these topics:

  • the role of the teaching assistant
  • planning for progression
  • effective communication
  • team work
  • safe learning in the workplace
  • learner project
  • attitudes and values for personal and professional development

Progression

You can progress to the OCR Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools once you have achieved your level 1 in English and fulfilled the selection criteria.

How to enrol

You can find out more and enrol online.

Qualification

You will work toward these qualifications:

  • C&G Support Work in Schools
  • Level 2 C&G Award in Employability Skills
  • Level 1 OCN Prevent Duty Awareness

What this course covers

You will:

  • develop knowledge and understanding of how schools in England are structured and how they function within legal guidelines
  • prepare for employment as a member of the school support staff

We will explore these 5 units:

  • child and young person development
  • safeguarding the welfare of children and young people
  • communication and professional relationships with children
  • equality, diversity and inclusion in work with children
  • schools as organisations – how schools in England are organised

Progression

After this course you will be ready to take either of the following:

  • L2 Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties
  • L3 Specialist Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning (providing you are in placement or employed in a school)

How to enrol

You can find out more and enrol online.

Qualification

You will work toward these qualifications:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties
  • Level 2 C&G Award in Employability Skills

What this course covers

By the end of the course you will have skills and knowledge to support working with children and young people with learning difficulties.

You will:

  • gain knowledge of different Specific Learning Difficulties
  • learn how to recognise Specific Learning Difficulties and explore appropriate support for individuals

We will explore these topics:

  • Specific Learning Difficulties
  • the effects of Specific Learning Difficulties
  • the diagnosis of Specific Learning Difficulties
  • supporting individuals with Specific Learning Difficulties
  • the context of Specific Learning Difficulties

Progression

After this course you will be ready to take a level 3 in Supporting Teaching and Learning course

How to enrol

To find out more on how to enrol on this course, please email: training4care@croydon.gov.uk

Qualification

You will work toward this qualification:

  • C&G Specialist Diploma in supporting Teaching and Learning – Level 3

What this course covers

By the end of the course you will have the skills, knowledge and behaviours to work as part of the support team as a Teaching Assistant.

We will explore these topics:

  • communication and professional relationships with children, young people and adults
  • schools as organisations
  • supporting learning activities
  • promoting children and young people’s positive behaviour
  • developing professional relationships with children, young people and adults
  • promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people
  • supporting assessment for learning
  • understanding child and young person development
  • engaging in personal development in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
  • understanding how to safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people
  • supporting children and young people’s health and safety

Progression

On successful completion of this course you will be able to apply for a teaching degree, providing you have English and Maths to level 2 or GCSE C or above.

How to enrol

If your tutor has recommended you for this course, please email: training4care@croydon.gov.uk

Need more information?

If you would like us to contact you about any of these courses, please fill in the short form below and we’ll get in touch.