Teaching Assistant Apprentice at Steeton Primary

Purpose of the role

To support teachers and the wider support staff team in providing a safe, inclusive and purposeful learning environment. Under the direction of the class teacher, the apprentice will help individual children and small groups to access learning, develop independence and build positive relationships.

At Steeton, our motto is Learning for Life. The apprentice will contribute to our school values through kindness, high expectations and a willingness to learn from colleagues.

How the role will develop

This is a training post. Duties will be introduced progressively, with supervision matched to the apprentice’s experience, competence and the needs of the children. The school will provide a named mentor, regular feedback and agreed time within paid working hours for apprenticeship training.

The class teacher retains responsibility for planning, teaching and assessment. The apprentice will not be allocated sole responsibility for whole-class teaching, planned teacher absence or PPA cover, or the supervision of other trainees. Specialist care or medical tasks will only be undertaken following appropriate training, authorisation and agreed supervision. 

Main duties and responsibilities

Supporting children and learning

• Build positive, caring and respectful relationships with children and encourage their confidence, participation and independence


• Support individuals and small groups with activities planned by the teacher, including reading, phonics, writing and mathematics, following training and guidance


• Help children understand instructions, practise skills and stay engaged. Use agreed prompts, resources and adaptations without doing the learning for them


• Support children with SEND, disadvantaged children and children learning English as an additional language, following guidance from the teacher, SENDCo and other relevant staff


• Deliver agreed short activities or interventions as competence develops and share observations about children’s responses with the teacher


• Support play, communication, physical development and social interaction, including indoor and outdoor provision where allocated


• Observe and record relevant information about learning and wellbeing as directed. Provide clear, accurate feedback to help the teacher identify next steps

Relationships behaviour and wellbeing

• Model calm, respectful behaviour and use the school’s agreed approaches to relationships and behaviour


• Help children manage feelings, resolve everyday disagreements and develop positive relationships. Seek support promptly where needed


• Promote inclusion and challenge unkindness, bullying and discriminatory behaviour in line with school procedures


• Assist with routines, transitions, playtimes, lunchtimes and visits as allocated, within agreed supervision arrangements. Complete headcounts and follow handover procedures as directed


• Assist with personal care where required, protecting children’s dignity and following agreed care plans, training and supervision