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.
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Our art students have brought a splash of colour and creativity to Bury Hospice with a striking new mural celebrating the spirit of the local community. Painted by students from the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, the mural features vibrant hydrangeas and iconic Manchester Bees, symbolising unity, resilience, and the six towns of Bury. Find out more here.
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Bury College had the honour of welcoming several distinguished guests from the Government and Department for Education on 20th March 2025. Read more to find out what happened on the day.
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We recently lifted the lid on working in social care with an event for our Health and Social Care students. Students heard from employers in the industry about the different opportunities available and the skills that people in the industry are looking for.
On Thursday, 20th March 2025, Bury College played host to the Hair and Beauty category of the GM Skills Competition. Read more about it here.
Find out about Bury College's recent campus development, and how the college is striving to be more environmentally friendly.
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Find out how Temi has grabbed her T Level placement opportunity with the NHS with both hands. Plus how her placement has opened her eyes to all the Allied Health Professionals roles available in the healthcare sector.