Level 5 Assistant SENCO Programme

If you pay the Growth and Skills levy (formerly known as the Apprenticeship levy), determine who controls the funds, how much you can access, and the steps to get it. Speak to your bursar, business manager, or finance team.

• Local Authority schools can access funding from their council’s shared levy pot, even if their payroll is below the threshold, by contacting the Local Authority’s Apprenticeship Team.
• Multi-academy Trusts with a wage bill over £3m should contact their central finance or HR team.
• Voluntary Controlled schools should approach their Local Authority.
• Voluntary-aided and Foundation schools (non-levy paying) can access 95% government funding, with further support potentially available from the Local Authority or via levy transfer.

School employers can check their apprenticeship levy pot through the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS), which is managed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). Here’s how:

Log in to the Apprenticeship Service
(accounts.manage-apprenticeships.service.gov.uk).

Set up or access your account – schools may need to do this via their local authority or academy trust, depending on how payroll is managed.

View your levy funds – the account shows how much levy has been paid in, any top-ups from government, funds available to spend, and when funds are due to expire (after 24 months if unused).

For maintained schools, the local authority usually manages the levy pot, so schools should contact their LA HR/payroll or finance team.

For academies and trusts, the trust itself manages the levy and can view funds directly in their digital account.

You’ll need to provide a formal employment contract covering the duration of the apprenticeship.

An apprentice must be paid at least the minimum apprenticeship wage in their first year of learning.

Apprentices aged 19+ must be paid at least the minimum wage for their age group in their second year of learning.

You must assign a school mentor who will participate in termly progress reviews and complete a final “Employer Review” assessing the apprentice’s professional behaviours.

Apprentices will gain experience through hands-on tasks and research projects, with much of this learning occurring in the classroom or where PE sessions are taking place. 

Mentors will need to support the end-point assessment process by attending a “gateway meeting” and assisting with planning the assessment day, which typically takes only a few hours.

We have developed a blended teaching and learning model which works for busy school professionals.

Scheduled release time: 2-3 hours every month for live online learning with an experienced teacher, as well as the chance to share ideas with others undertaking the course.

Flexible release time:

• Delegates will have access to our self-paced online learning platform full of resources, activities, research and ideas.
• They will also complete practical projects that can be carried out in a classroom environment and will be of direct benefit to your pupils and your school.
• They will also need to have release time for regular progress reviews with your ESF tutor and school mentor to set new targets and celebrate success. These are short sessions that will take place every 12 weeks (as a minimum).
• Our SEND Masterclasses are 2-3 hour live online sessions held every six weeks during term time. Attendance is optional and recordings are also available.

Each apprentice will need a mentor within school to guide and support their development. The ideal mentor is the SENCO, as they have strategic oversight of SEND provision and can provide valuable expertise. In larger settings, the role may also be taken by an Inclusion Lead, Assistant Headteacher, or another senior member of the SEND team with relevant experience.

The key is that the mentor has the knowledge, experience, and time to provide regular guidance, feedback, and opportunities for the apprentice to apply their learning in practice.

If you don’t pay the Growth and Skills levy then the Government will fund 95% of the apprenticeship and you will need to commit to paying 5% of the fee. ESF Apprenticeships should be able to support your organisation to reclaim this 5% via a process known as Levy Transfer.

Larger organisations can support other organisations, by making up to 50% of their annual levy funds available to eligible employers who need financial assistance with apprenticeships.

We can provide more information if you are interested in pursuing this route.