SEND Teaching Assistant Apprentice

SEND Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship at Meadowhead School

**Please note, this role is to start in September 2026, interviews will take place Early September**

Are you passionate about education and eager to make a difference in students’ lives? Our Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship offers you a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic school environment while earning a qualification that will kickstart your career in education!

Our school is a large comprehensive school that serves communities in the south and south-west of the city of Sheffield as well as North Derbyshire.

Meadowhead currently has nearly 2000 students on roll. Our size – as the largest school in Sheffield – brings many benefits including the diversity of our curriculum and our very expansive enrichment programme. 

Apprenticeship Overview:

• Salary: £8.00 an hour, Automatic pay increase after one year on programme for 19+ year olds
• Working Week: Monday- Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm (30 minute lunch break)
• Hours: 32.5 hours per week
• Duration: 18 months
• Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship standard qualification
• Online training supported by our dedicated tutor
• Location: Dyche Lane, Sheffield, S8 8BR
  
• Website:
  https://www.meadowhead.sheffield.sch.uk/

As a Teaching Assistant Apprentice, you will:

• Work with the teacher to maintain an appropriate learning environment
• Work with the teacher in routine lesson planning, evaluating and adjusting lessons/work plans as appropriate
• Monitor and evaluate pupils’ responses to learning activities through observation and planned recording of achievement against pre-determined learning objectives
• Provide objective and accurate feedback and reports as required, to the teacher on pupil achievement, progress and other matters, ensuring the availability of appropriate evidence
• Be responsible for keeping and updating routine records as agreed with the teacher, contributing to reviews of systems/records as requested
• Undertake marking of pupils’ work and accurately record achievement/progress
• Promote positive values, attitudes and good pupil behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy and encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own behaviour
• Liaise sensitively and effectively with parents/carers as agreed with the teacher within your role/responsibility and participate in feedback sessions/meetings with parents with, or as directed
• Administer and assess routine tests and invigilate exams/tests
• Provide general and routine clerical/administrative support, e.g. administer coursework, produce worksheets for agreed activities etc.
• Implement agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, making appropriate adjustments according to pupil responses/needs
• Implement local and national learning strategies, e.g. literacy, numeracy, KS3, early years and make effective use of opportunities provided by other learning activities to support the development of relevant skills
• To provide whole class cover either planned or unplanned in the absence of the class teacher
• Support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop pupils’ competence and independence in its use
• Help pupils to access learning activities through specialist support
• Prepare and maintain general and specialist equipment and resources in line with agreed plans and strategies
• Use specialist (curricular/learning) skills/training/experience to support pupils
• Assist with the development and implementation of IEPs
• Establish productive working relationships with pupils, acting as a role model and setting high

Qualifications:

• GCSEs in English and Maths at grades 4–9 (A*–C) required

Skills and Personal Qualities:

• Patience, sensitivity, and a calm, caring nature
• Enthusiastic about supporting children's learning and development
• Flexible, adaptable, and a team player
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Good active listening and interpersonal skills
• Ability to follow instructions and use initiative
• Confident using basic IT systems or handheld devices
• Interest in education and understanding people’s behaviours and needs

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

The successful candidate will obtain a Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship standard qualification.

Each apprentice will have their own dedicated tutor who will conduct monthly remote tutorials and reviews, providing continuous support throughout the apprenticeship program. Depending on the apprentice’s needs, the frequency of these sessions may vary. 

What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

Potential full-time employment for the right candidate upon successful completion of the apprenticeship. 

Pre-employment checks. Please be aware that upon a successful offer of employment, the company completes digitalised right-to-work checks and DBS applications via an external provider - 'Matrix Screening'. The company also completes an internal online social media search, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.

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