Choosing a career as a teacher assistant (TA) in UK from England, Scotland to Wales maintained government schools requires researching and choosing the right qualification, level and awarding body.
TA qualifications online and in person courses offered are not all equal, suitable or accepted by school employers in the UK to work as class assistant.
Teaching assistant courses studied online can be recognised by schools and Ofsted to assist in government maintained England schools. Online teaching assistant courses that leads to an OFQUAL regulated qualification and accredited by CACHE, NCFE are widely recognised by employers. Courses that only provide awards after completion are not recognised too work as a teacher assistant in England.
Can you do a teaching assistant course online?
You can complete a recognised online teaching assistant course online through UK approved training providers as long as it has the appropriate observed work placement hours and course modules. The TA course is self paced online study that can be completed as short as a few months or 1-2 years depending on the level of award qualification.
For example Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools Level 2 Certificate requires you to be employed, observed in you’re school work place, and complete the knowledge based certificate study over 12 months (365 days) online that’s accepted by Ofsted and schools in England.
NCFE Cache Level 3 Teaching Assistant Certificate course online are also recognised by schools offered by providers, and is the same qualification as studied face to face at college.
You require to be working in a classroom (100+ hours) where you complete assignments, self paced study and assessed in the work place on the TA theory you have learned.
Basically, an online teaching assistant qualification is widely recognised where schools in England will employ you have written assignments and require a job where you’ll be observed and assessed to complete the qualification which is accredited by UK government registered body.
TA courses offered online
Recognised qualification at the end of the course upon successful completion after completing all course assignments, work place observations and knowledge based course learning.
Or
Knowledge based course providing additional learning without a qualification on completion, and just a certificate of achievement, which doesn’t get you a teaching assistant job or allow you to work in school classrooms.
TA online course study method
Studying for teacher assistant certification online learners have access to videos and text material on an online learning platform training providers provide. With internet access you have 24 hour availability to content to follow lessons, complete assignments and ask for assistance.
Each learner on the level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools online course is assigned a tutor for the study duration that provides guidance, marks assignments and assesses you in the primary or secondary school (5-18 years old) work place.
16 years old + with no formal qualification you’ll be accepted directly to TA level 2/3 online, though with relevant work place experience with children enabling you too successfully complete the course qualification.
What is a recognised TA qualification?
CACHE qualifications are face to face & online teacher assistant recognised qualifications to work in government maintained primary & secondary school in England (5-18 year old pupils) are accredited by OFQUAL, NCFE, Cache and Ofsted accepted qualifications include:
- Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools.
- Level 3 Teaching Assistant Diploma.
- Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.
- Level 2 Teaching Assistant Certificate.
- Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools.
- Cache Level 3 Teaching Assistant Certificate,
These flexible home study & self paced TA online courses at are widely accepted in schools in England as a TA, although you can start a TA job at level 2 qualification schools are asking for classroom teaching assistant with level 3.
What is CACHE teaching assistant?
CACHE teaching assistant courses provide you with recognised qualification that allows you to become a general classroom assistant at primary or specialist TA at secondary school in England.
With a CACHE Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching & Learning qualification schools can employ you to assist a qualified teacher in class or activities or assist school pupils 1:1 with literacy, numeracy and extra reading lessons.
Is CACHE Recognised in UK? Yes, Courses leading to a qualification are all nationally recognised OFQUAL regulation qualifications that are accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
School teaching assistant awarding bodies & regulators
Official UK government accepted qualifications awarding bodies. Look for teaching assistant qualification courses accredited by:
CACHE NCFE: The Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education provider of education & care vocational qualifications in UK. CACHE is an exam board with all course qualifications nationally recognised by employer schools. They lead to recognised Ofqual regulated & accredited qualifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
NCFE CACHE: Is a nationally recognised qualification awarding body for 3 UK nations from National regulated by Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator in England, Examinations and Assessment in Northern Ireland and Welsh Government Wales, and the Council for Curriculum.
CACHE is now known as the NCFE after re-branding.
Ofsted: The Office for Standards in Education is a UK government organization responsible for Children’s Services and Skills, including schools. They inspect educational establishments, including secondary and primary schools.
OFQUAL: Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation is a government department for regulation of England qualifications, tests and examinations.