Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools – Level 2

The Level 2 qualification is aimed at those who are new to the role and whose responsibilities are limited in scope. It is expected that the levels of decision-making required and work carried out would be tightly defined by the teacher. The qualification is also suitable for those who are interested in pursuing a career as a TA /LSW and are able to arrange to spend a minimum of one morning per week working in a classroom on a voluntary basis. The qualification consists of 9 mandatory units giving a total of 24 credits and a selection of optional units from which a further 6 credits must be gained.

The mandatory units are as follows:

• Child and young person development
• Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people
• Communication and professional relationships with children, young people and adults
• Equality, diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people
• Help improve own and team practice in schools
• Maintain and support relationships with children and young people
• Support children and young people’s health and safety
• Support children and young people’s positive behaviour
• Support learning activities

All candidates must complete a unit called ‘Schools as organisations’ plus gain another 3 credits, which usually means completing one of the following units:

• Provide displays in schools
• Support children and young people at meal and snack times
• Support children and young people’s travel outside of the setting
• Support extra-curricular activities
• Prepare and maintain learning environments

There are other units available and your choice of optional unit will depend on your specific role in school. Advice will be given to help you choose which to complete.

There are weekly sessions in college on Monday evenings from 6pm to 9pm. The course is due to start in October 2021 and run until the end of June 2022 the following year. If there are any changes to this, you will be notified as soon as possible.

At the start of the course you will be given an overview of what will be covered in each session. There will be sessions about each of the mandatory units and some work in class that will form part of your portfolio of evidence. There will also be sessions relating to some of the optional units. If changes to the planned sessions are needed as the course progresses, you will be given a revised course overview.

You will also be visited in school. There will be a minimum of two visits, although there are often more than this over the course of the year. The visits will always be arranged in advance.

The Level 2 Certificate is assessed through a portfolio of evidence which is built up over the year. There are several types of evidence including notes from the observation visits in school, testimonies from witnesses in school, activities done in class at college and workbooks which we provide for you to complete. Samples of work are usually checked twice during the year by our Internal Verifier and also by an External Verifier from the awarding body.

To enrol on this course you must be working or volunteering in a school as a TA/LSW for at least one morning per week from September/October 2020 onwards. You will need to arrange your own placement and we will need confirmation of this from the school. Over the course of the year you must be supporting pupils in their Maths and English work and you will also need the opportunity to show that you can support the development of pupils’ IT skills.

You must be able to demonstrate a reasonable standard of written English. There may be the opportunity for you to gain a qualification in English (and Maths if applicable) through Cirencester College while you are enroled on this course.

The course fees for the Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Course are £550, our Finance team will invoice you on receipt of your enrolment form, and fees may be then paid by card or cheque. Full payment must be received before the course starts, I will reserve a place for you until the start of the course.