Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Standard Level 5

On successful completion of this apprenticeship, you could progress into specialist roles supporting teaching and learning within a specific curriculum area. Curriculum provision specialist teaching assistants play a vital role in advancing learning, whether through early reading or maths interventions, subject-specific support, forest school activities, or helping learners with English as an additional language (EAL).

Working closely with learners, teachers, and wider education professionals, including SENCOs and external agencies and contribute to inclusive, high-quality education. You may support individuals or groups, help ensure learner safety, and assist in mentoring colleagues, all under the guidance of a qualified teacher. Career progression may include roles such as academic mentor, learning mentor, higher level teaching assistant, SEND or EAL teaching assistant, or subject-specific support roles across areas like PE, drama, music, and emotional wellbeing.

Specialist teaching assistants support provision related to special educational needs and disability (SEND), the social and emotional well-being of learners, or areas of specialist curriculum such as forest schools, EAL, subject-based interventions or music education.

This occupation is found in primary, secondary and special schools, alternative provision, further education institutions such as sixth forms and colleges, and a range of other education settings including music hubs.

Specialist teaching assistants work alongside colleagues to inspire learners to progress and achieve well. They work across all age ranges and support a diverse range of learners.

In the Early Years, specialisms are achieved through continuing professional development opportunities following achievement of a recognised qualification that enables individuals to work in a setting in line with Early Years qualification requirements and standards.

Specialist teaching assistants may support SEND provision, learners’ social and emotional well-being, or other specialist curriculum areas such as forest schools, EAL, subject interventions or music education.

Core Duties

• Promote positive values around equality, diversity, equity and inclusion by modelling the organisation’s aims and ethos.
• Follow all relevant legislation and frameworks, ensuring compliance within the organisation and sector.
• Plan, implement and adapt activities using specialist knowledge to enhance learning under supervision.
• Undertake assessment activities to track learner progress and identify when to refer to other professionals.
• Plan sequences of teaching based on curriculum, assessment and pedagogy principles under appropriate supervision.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with colleagues, professionals and agencies within and beyond the organisation.
• Support parents and carers with appropriate information and guidance to help advance learning.
• Work with colleagues to implement and evaluate strategies that promote high-quality, inclusive outcomes.
• Create and maintain learning resources relevant to the specialist area under supervision.
• Manage learner behaviour to encourage self-regulation and independence in formal and informal settings.
• Engage in reflective practice to improve and advance learning within the specialist area.
• Support the training and development of colleagues within the specialist option under supervision.
• Promote learner health and wellbeing, embedding positive values and behaviours.
• Support the sharing of best practice, particularly in relation to sustainability, diversity, equality, equity and inclusion.