This 8-week introductory course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to become a teaching assistant/mentor/learning support worker/additional support worker in schools, supplementary schools, colleges or community settings.  If you attend  at least 80% of the course and successfully complete your portfolio of assessment you will receive a certificate from the London Open College (at either level 1 or 2)   

Course content

What topics will you cover   

1. The role of the teaching assistant
2. Learning styles
3. Communication skills
4. Safeguarding learners
5. Managing challenging behaviour
6. Planning short group activities
7. Health and safety in the classroom
8. Introduction to lesson planning   

Learning objectives   

By the end of the course you will have:    

1. Gained an understanding of the role of the teaching assistant.
2. Gained an understanding of the TA’s responsibility for keeping learners safe
3. Developed planning skills (short group activities and risk assessment)
4. Developed presentation skills.   

How will I be taught? What kind of activities will I be doing?  

Each session will include a teacher presentation, group discussions, a presentation, micro teaching opportunities and portfolio building. You will be sent a weekly video which reinforces the class content.    

What will I need to bring? Where can I get this? What do we provide?  

Please bring pens and paper. You will be provided with course materials and an assessment portfolio.   

Will I get feedback? What could I do next?  

You will get feedback in all group discussions. You will also be given written individual feedback in your portfolio.    Next steps could include:  Start working as a TA in a Supplementary School  The Westway Trust’s Be Well Do Well course  TA level 2 course at Morley College  TA level 3 course at Westway in Jan 2024