Apprentice Teaching Assistant Level 3

We are seeking to appoint Teaching Assistants at our fantastic special school. Briarwood has a dedicated team of staff, governors and parents/carers who are proud to support 167 children and young people aged 3 to 19 years and are passionate about their progress, happiness and care.

What you'll do

You will be required to work with a range of pupils who have severe and profound learning difficulties. A large number of our pupils have challenging behaviours and are within the Autistic Spectrum.

Candidates must bring energy, confidence and enthusiasm with a commitment to inclusion.

We will provide a planned induction within a large, strong and supportive LSA and teaching team.

Under the guidance of the teaching staff, you will provide direct support for the learning of individual children or groups of children to achieve defined progression targets.

Under the guidance of the teaching staff, provide direct support for the learning of individual children or groups of children, to achieve defined progress and targets by:

• Following the planning to support activities
• Report behaviour observations to a teacher in order for them to maintain the school's standard of discipline and behaviour
• Facilitating children's general physical, emotional and educational development through activities and play
• Supervising and encouraging safe behaviour of individuals and groups
• Reinforcement of structured learning habits and routines which have been defined by the teacher and support access to the curriculum as set by the line manager

Under the guidance of the teaching staff, you will prepare, store, retrieve, sort and display materials, finished work, equipment, topic work plans and/or assignment documents to assist in providing an effective learning environment as determined by the teacher.

Training

Teaching Assistant Level 3.

Apprentices will attend the Filton Campus of SGS College, one day a week, term-time only.

SGS College will support apprentices to develop the full range of knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the Standard.

Apprentices will receive comprehensive guidance to build their portfolio, and the college will also facilitate completion of a paediatric first aid qualification.

Once on‑programme learning is complete, apprentices will progress to the End Point Assessment, which includes practical observation with a question‑and‑answer element, submission of a portfolio of evidence, and a professional discussion.

Full-time apprentices will typically spend 18 months on-programme working towards the apprenticeship standard. Off-the-job training will follow the time allocations outlined in the Occupational Standard.

Each apprentice will be assigned a dedicated skills coach who will support them in completing their portfolio and preparing for the End Point Assessment. The employer, training provider and the learner will decide when the learner is ready to enter the Apprenticeship Gateway. The skills coach will help prepare the learner to ensure they are confident to complete all components.

After the apprenticeship

As well as ensuring full competency as a Teaching Assistant, this standard provides a foundation for potential progression into a number of career paths in the Educational sector, including Higher Level Teaching Assistant, Assistant Teacher and Teacher.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Customer care skills
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Qualifications

• Essential: GCSE, English (grade 4 and above)
• Essential: GCSE, Maths (grade 4 and above)

Things to consider

• Skills of empathy, listening, communication and responding with appropriate language to build rapport with children from a variety of ages, abilities and backgrounds
• Aptitude to develop a knowledge of the role within an education environment
• Ability to demonstrate effective working with individual pupils and small groups under the direction and supervision of a qualified teacher
• An awareness of child protection and safeguarding
• The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice and information in accurate spoken English is essential for the post
• You will need to pass an enhanced background check (DBS)

About the employer

Briarwood is a Bristol School committed to providing high quality education, care and life experiences for children and young people aged 3-19 with Severe and Profound Learning Difficulties, Complex Needs, Autism and Sensory Impairment. The school is based on 3 sites across East-Central Bristol and is made up of Briarwood Infants, Juniors, Secondary, Sixth Form and The Nexus (a specialist centre for pupils with Behaviours that challenge).

The values of Briarwood are that all pupils should Enjoy their time with us, so that they can Engage and Learn to their full potential.

Apprenticeship details

• Course: Teaching assistant (level 3), Education and early years
• Apprenticeship level: Advanced (level 3)
• Training provider: SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND STROUD COLLEGE
• Expected duration: 1 Year 9 Months
• Hours: 30 hours a week. Working week: 30 hours a week with a day release to college, exact hours to be agreed between the apprentice and their manager.
• Start date: 1 November 2026
• Positions available: 5
• Wage: £12,480 to £19,827.60 a year