Level 3
Education and Early Years - Assisting Teaching, T Level
Level 3
Education and Early Years - Assisting Teaching, T Level
Prepare for a rewarding career supporting children and young people in education settings. This employer-designed T Level combines classroom learning with extensive industry placement experience, helping you develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to thrive in schools and early years environments.
Course Overview
The Assisting Teaching T Level has been developed in collaboration with employers to meet the needs of the education sector and provide a high-quality technical alternative to A Levels. Equivalent to three A Levels, this two-year qualification combines academic study with substantial workplace experience, preparing you for employment, higher apprenticeships, or university study.
Based at Knightstone Campus, you will learn in specialist teaching environments designed to replicate real classrooms and early years settings. These industry-standard facilities provide the perfect opportunity to develop practical teaching and learning support skills before applying them in professional settings.
You will be taught by experienced education professionals who bring extensive industry knowledge and practical expertise to the classroom. Through engaging lessons, practical activities, and real-world projects, you will gain a thorough understanding of child development, learning, safeguarding, inclusion, and educational practice.
As part of the programme, you will become a member of Weston College's Education Career Excellence Hub. Through our strong partnerships with schools, nurseries, and educational organisations, you will benefit from employer engagement activities, guest speakers, workshops, and valuable networking opportunities that help prepare you for your future career.
T Levels are designed to bridge the gap between education and employment. A key feature of the qualification is the substantial industry placement, allowing you to gain meaningful experience while developing the professional behaviours employers value most.
What will I study?
This programme will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to support teaching and learning within educational settings.
Topics include:
• Child development and learning • Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare • Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) • Inclusive practice and equality • Supporting teaching and learning activities • Communication and professional relationships • Behaviour management strategies • Health, safety, and wellbeing • Planning and reviewing educational activities • Working with teachers and other professionals
You will also develop the practical skills needed to:
• Support children individually and in groups • Assist teachers in delivering engaging learning experiences • Adapt activities to meet individual learning needs • Promote positive learning environments • Support children's progress and development
As part of the qualification, you will complete 750 hours of industry placement within a school or early years setting, allowing you to apply your learning in a real educational environment.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment includes:
• Written examinations • Employer-set project • Practical application of knowledge and skills • Industry placement performance • Coursework and professional assignments where applicable
Following successful completion, you will achieve a nationally recognised T Level qualification with UCAS tariff points equivalent to three A Levels.
Additional Information
Throughout your course, you will benefit from:
• Membership of Weston College's Education Career Excellence Hub • Access to industry-standard teaching and classroom facilities • A minimum of 750 hours of industry placement • Partnerships with schools, nurseries, and educational settings • Guest lectures from education professionals • Employer workshops and networking opportunities • Support from experienced tutors with education sector expertise • Opportunities to develop practical classroom skills before entering the workplace
The extensive industry placement element provides invaluable real-world experience and enables you to build professional relationships within the education sector before completing your qualification.
Entry Requirements
• A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 9–4 or a relevant Level 2 qualification • Grade 4 in both English Language and Maths
OR
• A previous Level 2 qualification in a relevant subject area alongside Grade 4 in English Language and Maths
You should also have:
• An interest in working with children and young people • Strong communication skills • A commitment to completing a substantial industry placement
What can I do after this course?
Successful completion of this T Level can lead directly to employment, higher apprenticeships, or university study.
You could progress to higher education courses including:
• BA (Hons) Early Years at University Centre Weston • BA (Hons) Education, Society and Childhood at University Centre Weston • BA (Hons) SEND and Inclusive Practice at University Centre Weston • Teacher Training pathways • Early Childhood Studies degrees • Education Studies degrees • Psychology degrees
Career opportunities may include:
• Teaching Assistant • Higher Level Teaching Assistant (with further experience) • Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant • Learning Support Assistant • Early Years Educator • Nursery Practitioner • Family Support Worker • Children's Activity Leader • Nanny • Children's Holiday Representative
