L1 Teacher Assistant

Award, Level 1
Course Length 20 weeks
Study Type Part time
Start Date 19/09/2025
A male student wearing black top and Harrogate College lanyard sitting on a table smiling looking to his left to another male student

Course overview

If you earn under £25,000 per year, are unemployed or don't currently hold a level 2 (GCSE level) qualification you may be entitled to study this course for free. If you don't meet the eligibility criteria we will advise you of the cost.

We are now offering the Level 1 Teacher Assistant course.

This qualification prepares learners for further learning and training whilst developing an understanding of the teaching and learning environment in a school setting. It covers areas such as: how to support the well-being of a child or young person and child and young person development.

This course will enable you to develop the knowledge, skills and experience required to work as a teaching assistant in a primary or secondary school or college. Study part-time.

The course will run of a daytime at either our Harrogate (Friday) or Ripon campus (TBC) from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

  • Entry Requirements
    The course is aimed at 19+ adults.
  • Benefits/Skills

    This qualification aims to:

    • focus on the study of preparing to work in schools
    • offer breadth and depth of study, incorporating a key core of knowledge
    • provide opportunities to acquire a number of practical and technical skills

    The objectives of this qualification are to:

    • prepare learners for future learning and training
    • develop an understanding of the teaching and learning environment in a school setting
    • develop an understanding of how to support the wellbeing of a child, or young person and child
    • develop an understanding of young person development
  • Who is this course for?
    This qualification is aimed at a range of learners who are thinking of working in a school setting including: young people, mature learners, learners with special educational needs or where English is an additional language.
  • Units/Modules

    You will study 3 mandatory units including:

    • Understand schools as organisations
    • Understand how to keep children and young people healthy, safe and well
    • Understand how to communicate with children, young people and adults
  • Careers/Progression
    Learners can progress onto the Level 2 Teacher Assistant programme.
  • Assessment Types
    All units are internally assessed through the learner building up a portfolio of evidence (which will include written assignments or tasks such as designing a leaflet or booklet, charts or diagrams, or setting up an information board) that covers the relevant assessment criteria. They are internally assessed and verified by the centre and then externally verified by NCFE.
Course Code: 78699-01

Learning Support

  • Specialist SEND support
  • Relax in the Oasis Room
  • Safe spaces
  • Bespoke support

Wellbeing

  • Pastoral tutors to celebrate your successes and give you help when you need it
  • Financial support: we work hard to help eligible students benefit from our education
  • Mental Health Champions offer help and support
  • Careers advice for today and for the future

Our Qualities

  • Small enough that the staff really know you
  • Expert teachers
  • Ofsted graded ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features
  • Courses designed with employers

Student Life

  • Get involved with clubs and activities throughout the day
  • Opportunities for social action
  • Champion our green agenda by becoming a Sustainability Champion
  • Become part of the Student Union

Courses

  • Timetables which enable work alongside study
  • Work experience opportunities
  • Teachers with industry-experience
  • Study supported by trips

Facilities

  • Teaching spaces that replicate work environments
  • State-of-the-art equipment to enhance learning
  • Industry-standard workshops
  • Social spaces for independent study or catching up with friends

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