Key details

Start date(s)
September 2026
Study Mode
Part-time (2 years)
Location
Online
School
Education and Childhood

FdA Specialist Teaching Assistant

The FdA Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship offers an exciting opportunity for both current and aspiring teaching assistants, support assistants, and learning mentors to build on their existing skills while gaining an academic qualification. The apprenticeship focuses on developing the knowledge and expertise needed to support the diverse and complex needs of learners within our education system.

We're holding several webinars across February and March where you will have the opportunity to learn more about the programme and chat with our academic team.

Book your webinar

The Student Contract

About this course

You will learn the theoretical foundations of education while simultaneously applying that knowledge in a real-world setting. This programme is designed for those working in a range of educational settings, including primary and secondary schools, colleges, and specialised institutions, ensuring that you gain the relevant practical experience.

The apprenticeship allows you to specialise in one of three key pathways, allowing you to tailor your training to match your interests and career goals:

  • Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
  • Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH)
  • Curriculum

These pathways, designed on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE), give you the chance to delve deeper into a specific area of need while benefiting from core training common to all specialist teaching assistants. You will graduate with a broad understanding of how to support learners with different needs, whilst becoming an expert in your chosen area.

This apprenticeship allows you to earn while you study and gain a Level 5 qualification. The flexible online delivery model, combined with structured work-based learning, ensures that you can apply your studies directly to your role.

The apprentice will need to be employed in a relevant role and have the support of their employer. Apprentices must fulfil all course requirements to be eligible for the Foundation Degree.

Why study with us

Key benefits of the programme:

  • Earn and train at the same time
  • Online learning with flexible presession, live, and post session activities
  • Apply learning in the workplace and develop your skills while continuing your job
  • Specialise in a specific area (SEND, SEMH, or Curriculum provision)
  • Opportunities for progression to further study, including Level 6 top-up or PGCE programmes, if entry requirements are met.

Working in partnership

We are proud to be working in partnership with the National Society for Education to deliver a high-quality apprenticeship programme that supports the development of future professionals across the sector (refer to progression routes below).

Logo of National Society for Education.

Progression routes

On successful completion of this apprenticeship, you will be eligible to pursue roles such as:

  • Specialist Teaching Assistant
  • Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
  • Learning Mentor
  • Curriculum Specialist

Additionally, you will be well positioned for further academic study, including:

  • Level 6 Top-Up Degrees
  • PGCE Programmes, if entry requirements are met.

By completing this apprenticeship, you will have the skills, knowledge, and qualifications to make a significant impact on the lives of learners in diverse educational settings.

Course modules

You will study a variety of modules across your programme of study. The module details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

During the first year, the apprentice will study four core modules. Year 1 provides a comprehensive introduction to the core elements of Specialist Teaching Assistant roles, covering pedagogical practice and an understanding of SEND and SEMH. You will learn practical strategies for supporting learners with specific needs.

During the second year, the apprentice will study two core modules and two modules relevant to their chosen pathway.

Year 1

During your first year, you will study four core modules.

The Role and Duties of the Specialist Teaching Assistant – Core

Gain a thorough understanding of the key duties of a Specialist Teaching Assistant and how these fit within the broader context of education policies.

Curriculum and Pedagogic Practice – Core

Explore curriculum delivery and teaching strategies, with a focus on how to adapt approaches to suit different learning needs.

Special Needs: SEND / SEMH – Core

Focus on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health, learning strategies for supporting these learners.

Speech, Language, and Communication Needs in Educational Settings – Core

This module will enhance your ability to support children and young people with communication challenges, fostering inclusive educational environments.

Year 2

During your second year, you will study two core modules and two modules from your chosen specialist pathway.

Values and Cultural Leadership for Behaviour – Core

Develop an understanding of cultural leadership and its role in shaping behaviour management strategies and fostering positive learning environments.

Leadership in Supporting Mental Health and Well-Being in Educational Settings – Core

Explore mental health strategies and how to lead initiatives that promote emotional well-being in students and staff.

SEND Pathway – Core

On this pathway, you'll study the following modules: Support Neurodiversity and The Research-Informed SEND Specialist

SEMH Pathway – Core

On this pathway, you'll study the following modules: Trauma-Informed and Relational Practice and The Research-Informed SEMH Specialist.

Curriculum Pathway – Core

On this pathway, you'll study the following modules: Literacy and Numeracy and The Research-Informed Curriculum Specialist.

Learning and teaching

Assessments aim to determine the achievement of the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) as identified in the apprenticeship framework, with learning outcomes identified for each module. You will be assessed through a variety of methods to ensure you can apply your learning effectively. Assessments are designed to be practical and aligned with your work-based role, enabling you to demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills in real educational settings. Assessment methods used include essays, case studies, reports, presentations, posters, reflective essays and case studies, research-informed projects and portfolios.  

The End-Point Assessment (EPA) is a critical part of the apprenticeship, where you will demonstrate your competence and readiness for your role through evidence gathered throughout your studies. Your module tutors and apprentice progress tutor will support you on your apprenticeship journey, ensuring that you meet the requirements to progress to completion of your apprenticeship requirements.

Programme delivery

Your time on campus, learning through in-person teaching, is at the heart of your academic experience and the way we deliver our programmes. This is supported and further enhanced by additional engagement activities and opportunities provided online and through digital teaching materials. This blended approach seeks to ensure a positive learning and teaching student experience.

Your programme of study has been carefully designed around a three-phase model of delivery:

  1. Preparation: You will be given clear tasks to support you in preparing for live teaching. This could include watching a short-pre-recorded lecture, reading a paper or text chapter or preparing other material for use in class.
  2. Live: All your live teaching will be designed around active learning, providing you with valuable opportunities to build on preparation tasks, interact with staff and peers, and surface any misunderstandings.
  3. Post: Follow-up activities will include opportunities for you to check understanding, for staff to receive feedback from you and your peers to inform subsequent sessions, and for you to apply learning to new situations or context.

Preparation, Live and Post teaching and learning and the digital materials used will vary by course, but will be designed to help you structure your learning, take a full and active part in your course, and apply and test your developing knowledge and skills.

Learning and teaching

At Leeds Trinity we aim to provide an excellent student experience and provide you with the tools and support to help you achieve your academic, personal and professional potential.

Our Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy delivers excellence by providing the framework for:

  • high quality teaching
  • an engaging and inclusive approach to learning, assessment and achievement
  • a clear structure through which you progress in your academic studies, your personal development and towards professional-level employment or further study.

We have a strong reputation for developing student employability, supporting your development towards graduate employment, with relevant skills embedded throughout your programme of study.

We endeavour to develop curiosity, confidence, courage, ambition and aspiration in all students through the key themes in our Learning and Teaching Strategy:

  • Student Involvement and Engagement
  • Inclusion
  • Integrated Programme and Assessment Experience
  • Digital Literacy and Skills
  • Employability and Enterprise

To help you achieve your potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and real-world activities. This approach ensures that you fully engage in shaping your own learning, developing your critical thinking and reflective skills so that you can identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape your own development.

We believe the secret to great learning and teaching is simple: it is about creating an inclusive learning experience that allows all students to thrive through:

  • Personalised support
  • Expert lecturers
  • Strong connections with employers
  • An international outlook
  • Understanding how to use tools and technology to support learning and development

Entry requirements

Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits.

The following information is designed to give you a general overview of the qualifications we accept. If you are taking qualifications that are not included below, please contact our Admissions Office who will be happy to advise you.

To apply for the FdA Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • Employer support, including agreeing to the 8 hours per week of off-the-job training during term time.
  • Relevant role as a teaching assistant or support worker in an educational setting 
  • Personal statement demonstrating your professional experience, commitment to the role, and your motivation for taking the apprenticeship.

Please note: Applicants who do not meet the standard academic entry requirements may still be considered based on experience and employer endorsement.

Fees and finance

Funding

Apprenticeships are fully funded by your employer if their wage bill is over £3 million each year.

The government will fund up to 95% of the apprenticeship’s course fees, up to the relevant funding band, if the organisation has spent all its levy or has an annual wage bill below £3 million each year. Employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy contribute 5% towards the total cost of the apprenticeship, the ESFA will contribute the other 95% directly to the University. Employers must have an account with the Apprenticeship Service Account to be able to reserve Government funding for an apprenticeship. This reservation ensures that funds will be available to pay for the training from the point the apprenticeship starts.

Read more about how levy payments work at the UK Government website.

Costs of programme

The cost of this apprenticeship programme is £12,000

How to apply

Attend one of our Specialist Teaching Assistant online information sessions. During the session, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about the programme and chat with our academic team, who will be available to answer any questions you may have.

Webinar dates

Date Time
Tuesday 17 February 3:30pm
Monday 23 February 3:30pm
Monday 2 March 1:00pm
Tuesday 3 March 3:30pm
Monday 16 March 3:30pm
Tuesday 24 March 3:30pm
Tuesday 31 March 3:30pm

Book your session

Whether you’re looking to develop your skills with us as an apprentice or you’re an employer looking for more information on using Leeds Trinity University as a training provider, please complete the form below, and we will contact you to discuss your options.

Register your interest

What our students say

“The course has made me reflect on my working life and my personal life. It's helped me to realise that I have much more potential than I originally thought.

I struggle with academic writing, but I've experienced lots of help and support from tutors. Nothing is too much for people and this gives me the confidence to continue and succeed during the course, to then enable me to continue with my professional development.”

 

 

“The course has helped me to realise not only my potential for the future but has helped me to reflect on and recognise my current skills. I am excited and looking forward to the work ahead and the end goal. The lessons are well planned and well delivered and there is plenty of opportunity to share ideas and knowledge. The support we receive is excellent"

 

 

“The course exemplifies inclusive, emotionally literate practice. The resources are thoughtfully designed, visually engaging, and immediately usable. I am fast becoming A reflective practitioner with a clear commitment to empowering others.”

About Leeds Trinity University

Our professional Apprenticeships combine part-time study at Leeds Trinity University with workplace training. We've been providing outstanding provision in higher education for over 50 years and have significant experience of delivering work-based learning programmes. We're proud to offer a personal and inclusive university experience that gives everyone the support they need to realise their potential. Our teaching staff have extensive and relevant professional experience.