Mulberry Bush Nursery Group have been working with Bury College for a number of years, hiring and training childcare Apprentices. The partnership has provided learners with amazing opportunities and resulted in thriving careers.
Specialist teaching assistants support provision related to special educational needs and disability (SEND), the social and emotional well-being, of learners, or within another area of specialist curriculum provision such as forest schools, EAL, subject-based interventions or music education.
This occupation is found in primary, secondary, special schools,
alternative provision, further education institutions such as sixth forms and
colleges, and a range of other education settings such as music hubs. Specialist
teaching assistants will work alongside colleagues to inspire learners to
progress and achieve well. Specialist teaching assistants work across all age
ranges, supporting a range of learners.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to support the education of
learners by providing specialist support. Specialist teaching assistants plan,
implement, and adapt activities in order to advance learning. They draw on
research to develop a critical understanding of their specialist area. They
establish relationships with learners, families, other professionals and
external agencies to support the education of the learners they work with. They
contribute to developing a sense of inclusion and belonging for the benefit of
the learners within the communities that they serve. They draw on their
specialism to contribute to the evaluation of learning and assessment
activities, sustainability in their educational context. Specialist teaching
assistants both reflect on their own practices and support the training and
development of others within their specialist area.
This is a core and options apprenticeship. An apprentice must be trained and assessed against the core and one option. The options are:
You will complete an End Point Assessment with the awarding body NCFE and will cover the following areas:
Relevant qualifications and or initial assessment will take for Maths and English prior to commencement.
The relevant job role.
Duration - 2 years
Depending on the apprenticeship this may include information on DBS,
equipment, uniform etc.
Positive Futures is a set of essential qualities, embedded throughout your study programme, that we seek to develop in all students:
You will also engage in the Positive Futures Careers Programme, developing key employability skills through a diverse range of activities including work placements, volunteering, employer talks, industry study visits and employment and university fairs.
As a Bury College student you will have access to a wide range of enrichment opportunities which will contribute to your personal growth and development and support your academic studies.
These may include:
Please Note: We attempt to ensure that all information contained within this website is correct and up-to-date. However, some details may change as we review and update our provision. Although every effort is made to provide the teaching, examination, assessment and other services detailed on this website and in our other publications, Bury College cannot guarantee the provision of such programmes, services, facilities and fees. Bury College reserves the right to amend, withdraw, alter or amalgamate any of the courses, locations and facilities detailed within at any time. Should circumstances require such amendments, Bury College undertakes to use all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to those services and most importantly to students.
Mulberry Bush Nursery Group have been working with Bury College for a number of years, hiring and training childcare Apprentices. The partnership has provided learners with amazing opportunities and resulted in thriving careers.
Bury College welcomed learners from 12 Greater Manchester colleges for the GM Skills Foundation Studies Competition, where students showcased creative heritage-inspired projects and took part in a collaborative team challenge. The event celebrated student creativity, confidence, and community.
Bury College hosted the GM Skills Construction Competition on Friday 13th March 2026, with students from nine colleges competing across Plastering, Bricklaying, Carpentry and Joinery, Electrical Installation, Painting and Decorating, and Plumbing, showcasing top skills and earning multiple wins.
A former Bury College Hairdressing Apprentice has come full circle, embarking on an exciting teaching career which will see him inspire the next generation of Hairdressers.
Read how Deborah, an adult learner at Bury College, is progressing in her career and finding new purpose after previously retiring.
Read how Codi has used the skills of her Catering course at Bury College to support her journey to becoming a restaurant owner.