Occupational Summary
A Level 3 apprenticeship for teaching assistants prepares apprentices to work as assistant teacher, classroom assistant, learning support assistant, learning support worker, specialist curriculum support, support assistant or teaching assistant in primary, secondary, special schools, alternative provision and further education settings. Apprentices support the class teacher to enhance learners’ progress and development in groups or individually, ensuring learners understand tasks, know learning objectives and display positive learning behaviours. They deliver individual and small-group teaching, apply strategies for learners of differing abilities, support SEND, EAL and learners with social, emotional and mental health vulnerabilities, adapt planning under teacher direction, implement safeguarding and maintain a safe, stimulating learning environment while liaising with teachers, other professionals and parents or carers.
This Level 3 apprenticeship comprises 39 KSBs (knowledge, skills and behaviours), typically lasts 18 months and has a maximum funding band of £7,000. Apprentices are assessed via observation with questions and a professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.
View official Skills England source text
This occupation is found in primary, secondary, special schools, alternative provision, and further education institutions such as sixth forms and colleges. Teaching Assistants work across all age ranges, supporting all learners. The broad purpose of the occupation is to support the class teacher to enhance learners’ progress and development either in groups or individually. Teaching Assistants ensure that learners understand their work, know their learning objectives, and display positive learning behaviours in order to make progress. They deliver individual and small group teaching and apply a range of strategies to support learners of different abilities under the professional direction and supervision of a qualified teacher. Teaching Assistants may support learners with special educational needs and disabilities and learners with social, emotional, and mental health vulnerabilities. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation may interact with all learners. This includes but is not limited to high attaining, SEND, EAL, and disadvantaged learners. Teaching Assistants will also work in partnership with teachers and other professionals within the school and education system, as well as with learners’ parents or carers. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for delivering individual and small group teaching and adapting planning under the direction of a teacher; implementing safeguarding policies and safe practice; working effectively with other education professionals; promoting positive learning behaviours; and supporting the development of a safe and stimulating learning environment. They will work within a framework of national legislation regarding safeguarding, and within the policies and procedures of their individual education organisations.
What's in the Delivery Pack?
Every section is tailored specifically to the ST0454 standard, using official KSB data, the published assessment plan, and sector-specific context.
KSB Interpretations
Plain-English interpretation of every Knowledge, Skill and Behaviour
EPA Preparation
End-point assessment readiness, gateway checklist and method guidance
Delivery Risks
Occupation-specific risks, mitigations and early warning signs
Delivery Model Options
Model-selection guide comparing day release, block release and front-loaded approaches
On/Off-the-Job Mapping
Which KSBs are best taught by the provider vs developed in the workplace
Initial Assessment & RPL
Starting points, prior learning recognition and programme adaptation
English, Maths & Digital
Where functional skills embed naturally and standalone qualification guidance
Employer Engagement Guide
Employer commitments, progress reviews and workplace engagement guidance
Get the ST0454 Delivery Guide
Unlock all 8 AI-powered sections — KSB interpretations, EPA preparation, delivery risks, employer engagement, and more. Tailored to Teaching assistant.
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English & Maths
English and maths qualifications must be completed in line with the apprenticeship funding rules .
Typical Job Titles
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours
Knowledge
17- K1: The importance of providing feedback.
- K2: The learning resources available to support learners and how to use them.
- K3: The stages of development for children and young people.
- K4: The principles of target setting to support the next steps in learning.
- K5: The impact of transition on learners and strategies to support them.
- + 12 more items
Skills
16- S1: Apply strategies to support and encourage the development of independent learners.
- S2: Adapt communication strategies for the audience and context.
- S3: Apply behaviour management strategies in line with organisational policy.
- S4: Adapt resources to support all learners.
- S5: Communicate with teachers to ensure clarity of the TA’s role.
- + 11 more items
Behaviours
6- B1: Act professionally and respectfully with the whole school community.
- B2: Be a positive role model, upholding and exemplifying the organisation's values.
- B3: Respect and promote equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- B4: Be committed to improving their own delivery through reflective practice.
- B5: Engage with research to establish best practice.
- + 1 more items
Duties (12)
Contribute to the overall ethos and aims of the organisation and promote diversity, inclusion, equality and acceptance of all learners in line with school policies, including by challenging stereotyped views, bullying or harassment.
Implement safeguarding polices and safe practice, including online safety, in line with legislation, policies, and procedures including maintaining confidentiality.
Work in partnership and liaise with other professionals (such as the teaching staff, SENDCo, or external advisors) and parents/carers to support all learners’ learning.
Reflect on their own practice and identify appropriate professional development opportunities with the support of colleagues.
Understand the specific needs of learners and use strategies to support all learners to achieve their learning goals.
Promote engagement and teach learning behaviours to support the development of independent learners.
Establish positive relationships with learners and promote positive behaviours, consistently applying the school’s behaviour policy.
Support the social, emotional, mental health, wellbeing and personal care of all learners in line with organisational policy and procedures.
Deliver individual and small group teaching within clearly defined/planned parameters in partnership with the teacher and other professionals.
Contribute to assessment and planning by supporting the monitoring, recording, and reporting of learner outcomes and participation as agreed with the teacher.
Support the development of a stimulating and safe learning environment by contributing to the selection and preparation of teaching resources that meet the diverse needs and interests of learners.
Support or lead enrichment activities for example visits, out of school activities and in school clubs.
End-Point Assessment
Assessment Plan
Type: HTML
Version & Source
- Version
- 1.1
- Standard, end-point assessment plan and funding have been revised
- Last changed
- 4 May 2023
- Earliest start
- 5 May 2023
- Approved for delivery
- 26 Jun 2018
- EQA Provider
- Ofqual
- Sector Subject Area
- 13.2 Direct learning support
- Trailblazer
- TB0154
- Last checked
- 11 Mar 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What knowledge, skills and behaviours are in the ST0454 standard?▼
The Teaching assistant apprenticeship has 17 knowledge items, 16 skills, and 6 behaviours that apprentices must demonstrate.
How long is the Teaching assistant apprenticeship?▼
The typical duration is 18 months, with a maximum funding band of £7,000.
What does a delivery guide for ST0454 include?▼
The KSB Planner delivery guide includes plain-English KSB interpretations, EPA preparation guidance, delivery risk analysis, on/off-the-job mapping, employer engagement strategies, and more — all tailored to ST0454.
Data sourced from Skills England. KSB Planner delivery guides are an interpretation and planning aid based on official published source material — not an official regulator-issued document.