Apprenticeship success stories
Our apprenticeship case studies showcase the incredible achievements of our apprentices and the impact they have made in schools and community sports organisations.
Discover how the apprenticeship experience has supported our learners and transformed them into confident educational professionals – some of whom have even gone on to further study to become teachers.
Thank you to all ESF apprentices, partner schools and community sports organisations who have participated.
- School & nursery employers
- Learner stories
- Community sports employers
From our school partners:
Manor Fields Primary has upskilled multiple members of staff through both the Level 3 and Level 5 Teaching Assistant apprenticeships. Helen Smith explains how the programme has gone far beyond initial expectations.
Melbourn Primary have upskilled a core member of their team, Jessica Dale, using the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship with incredible results.
For the past five years, Parmiter’s School has successfully integrated PE Teaching Assistant apprentices into its sports department. The school partnered with ESF Apprenticeships to hire young, enthusiastic apprentices to support their PE programme.
Knebworth Primary and Nursery school is a two-form village school based in Hertfordshire that has upskilled seven members of staff using the apprenticeship levy.
We’ve been working with Whitehill Junior School for over thirteen years helping them hire Level 3 Teaching Assistants with a PE, Health and Wellbeing Focus. Steve Mills explains how they have helped pupils with SEND as well as PE delivery.
From our learners:
Natasha’s story is a fantastic illustration of what can be achieved through the teaching assistant apprenticeship programmes. Learners like Natasha, are so committed to personal development and proving to young people that a growth mindset and the right support can go a long way.
Yasmine Dhillon is Deputy Head – Inclusion at Newham PRUs. The apprenticeship has had a transfromational impact on her leadership skills and hwo pupils are supported across her PRU.
Jess is currently studying on the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant course which has had a profound impact on her confidence and the pupils she supports.
In 2019, Charlotte undertook the Teaching Assistant Standard apprenticeship programme. Charlotte is a learning and support assistant, working with children who have physical and neurological disabilities at Lonsdale School in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
Joanne feels that the confidence the programme has given her in her abilities is the main perk. She now has a good level of knowledge and a clear understanding of how to apply this in a school setting, e.g. safeguarding and other policies.
Adam joined the Sporting Futures Training team as Recruitment Lead in June 2022. Adam is a perfect example of the many success stories of Educational and Sporting Futures alumni.
I can’t put it into words how much support James my tutor has given me. James has helped me adapt tasks to support my confidence issues and my anxiety.
Currently working at St Nicholas C of E Primary School, Isaac has been on his apprenticeship journey with the same one-form entry school, since he started there as a Level 2 Community Activator. He is now in his fourth year at the school starting his Level 4 Sports Coach apprenticeship.
I think everything I have learnt, participated in and achieved during my apprenticeship has been both extremely beneficial and motivating. When I finish my apprenticeship, I know that I will leave with a huge amount of skills I wouldn’t have gained anywhere else.
The apprenticeship training helps develop personal skills but also the way the apprenticeship is run you feel supported all the time without feeling like you are working on your own, making tasks and assignments easy to understand and complete.
Caoimhe completed her Level 3 Diploma in PE and School Sport apprenticeship in 2020 with Educational Sporting Futures. She was based at Highwood Primary School in Bushey.
Charlotte works in a Community Special School in Stevenage, Lonsdale. Thanks to her apprenticeship training, she has been able to put in place a few different initiatives in her classroom to help support students.
Employed at Willow Tree Primary School
I have enjoyed the apprenticeship experience, I have gained the confidence I have grown within myself and the amazing people I’ve met throughout.
Employed at Knebworth Primary School
Claire has worked as an Inclusion Assistant since 2022 supporting in Key Stage 1. Claire wanted to explore apprenticeship training to upskill and develop her knowledge to be able to better support the children and school.
Employed at Melbourn Primary School
Jess works in Woodlands class, an alternative provision for six children who are autistic and pre-verbal.
“When I finished sixth form, I knew I didn’t want to go to university. I didn’t want to be sitting in lectures for three years – I learn by doing, and so when I saw an advert for a PE apprentice, I went for it.”
Since completing my apprenticeship, I work as a classroom TA in another local school and plan to start university in September to begin an undergraduate degree, Applied Education Studies BA (Hons) for three years. I will do my one year as a student teacher in order to gain QTS as a primary school classroom teacher.
From our community sports clubs:
The charity is a shining example of an organisation that has invested in apprenticeship opportunities to deliver impact within their setting.
Since completing my apprenticeship, I work as a classroom TA in another local school and plan to start university in September to begin an undergraduate degree, Applied Education Studies BA (Hons) for three years. I will do my one year as a student teacher in order to gain QTS as a primary school classroom teacher.