School and college leavers (16+)
Upskilling professionals
What to expect
Browse apprenticeships
Practical learning for school and college leavers or experienced school staff
Apprenticeships offer the perfect balance of theory and practice, encouraging you to learn new things and then apply your knowledge to hands-on work based activities and projects that directly benefit your school, community sports club or nursery.
They challenge you to make the greatest possible impact, and add tangible value to your workplace and your career.
Apprenticeships are….
- On-the-job training for people employed for 16+ hours per week
- Ideal for people who are interested in or are already working in education
- Opportunities to learn in your first job or upskill in your current role
“I would recommend an apprenticeship to any TA, whether you have been in the job for one year, five years or are just starting out. It’s a great opportunity. If you get chance – do it!”
School and college leavers (16+)
Decided the traditional FE/university route is not for you?
Our Level 2 (and some Level 3) courses are ideal for school leavers or career changers who want to gain paid experience working in a school.
- You will be employed for the duration of the apprenticeship
- Choose between working in school sports, early years, or as a classroom TA
- We may be able to help you find a placement in one of our partner schools
We develop our learners so they can confidently fulfil their role working as an apprentice within a school or community setting. An apprenticeship is an excellent way to start your career and many of our alumni have gone on to secure permanent roles in schools or nurseries. Some have even become teachers.
If you have additional needs, or just need some extra help with writing tasks, our tutors can offer tailored one-to-one support.
What qualifications do I need?
Learners aged 19+: No formal qualifications are required to complete an apprenticeship.
Learners aged 16 – 18: Grade 4/5 (C and above) GCSE in English and Maths, OR to be working towards the equivalent Functional Skills qualification during your apprenticeship. Find out more about how we can support you with Functional Skills.
“The tutors are all really friendly, the practical hands-on learning means the workload is manageable, and I’m getting paid to do a job I love! It’s the best thing that I’ve ever done.
Really happy that I’ve joined.”
Upskill with us
Apprenticeships are a popular way for teachers, TAs, Assistant SENCOs, SENCOs and senior leaders to refine and learn new skills, with a study method that’s designed to slot in and around a busy day job.
How will it help my day-to-day practice and our pupils?
TAs and support professionals; can enhance their knowledge of the curriculum, scaffolding, behavioural support, summative and formative assessment and how to enable every pupil to participate in lessons. They can refine their general teaching assistant skills, becoming better communicators and mentors, as well as deepening knowledge in a particular area such as PE or special educational needs (Level 3) or SLCN, SEND, Literacy or SEMH (Level 5).
Aspiring SENCOs; can learn the operational management skills required to assist their SENCO with the day-to-day administration of SEND support, as well as understanding SEND policy.
Leaders and aspiring leaders; will refine how their SEND department is run, improving communications, resource management, early intervention, liaison with external organisations, all while honing their leadership skills. They may also look beyond individual SEND departments to build their whole-school or trust’s ethos around inclusion.
How will it help my career?
Apprenticeships are nationally recognised qualifications that develop your soft skills as well as theoretical knowledge. They have given many of our apprentices the confidence to apply for higher level roles. Some of our apprenticeships include additional qualifications (such as HLTA or ELSA status, or Speech Language and Communications qualifications from OCN London.)
What’s it like to study with ESF Apprenticeships?
Jessica Dale, Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant, tells us about her apprenticeship journey.
What should I expect from an apprenticeship?
Currently our apprenticeships:
- are 15(+) months long, with the majority of learning done online
- require approximately six hours a week of study
- typically require four hours per fortnight out of the classroom for online workshops where you can also interact with other learners (see individual apprenticeship programmes for more information).
- benefit from a school-based mentor and ESF Apprenticeships tutor
- include optional additional SEND masterclasses (termly, online)
- include regular progress reviews with your ESF tutor who will guide and support you
- During the last two months of your apprenticeship, End Point Assessment typically includes evaluation of your ongoing written work and a presentation (see individual courses for details)
To start an apprenticeship you’ll need to be:
- 16 or over
- living in England
- not in full-time education
- you can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school but you’ll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship
- higher level apprenticeships have additional entry requirements (check course pages for details)
- apprentices aged 16-19 will need Level 4/5 GCSE Maths and English (equivalent to C and above), or to be working towards Functional Skills qualifications
What’s it like to train with an Ofsted outstanding provider?
- All our apprenticeship courses are delivered by highly skilled and qualified tutors, applying their teaching experience from working in education.
- Our staff are approachable, caring and committed to learners’ achievements.
- All apprentices receive regular reviews of their progress with their dedicated ESF apprenticeship tutor.
- Most apprentices receive on-site visits where their tutor will offer support and ensure that they continually apply what they have learned to enhance their performance at work.
- Leaders ensure that high-quality careers advice and guidance is seamlessly integrated into every aspect of an apprentice’s training.
Where will your apprenticeship journey take you?
- Schools
- Nurseries
- Community sports clubs
NEW HIRE / UPSKILL
Level 3 Teaching Assistant with a SEND Focus
Suitable for both new and existing TAs, this programme covers both theory of childhood development and practical skills to support teachers. Provides foundational knowledge of how to support children with SEND.
NEW HIRE / UPSKILL
Level 3 Teaching Assistant with a PE, Health & Wellbeing Focus
Develops knowledge and understanding of how to plan, differentiate and deliver high-quality PE lessons, as well as the skills and knowledge required to be an effective “all-round” teaching assistant.
NEW HIRE / UPSKILL
Level 2 Community Activator (Working in a School)
A Community Activator supports the PE team to promote, deliver, and inspire children with fun, inclusive activities. You’ll help nurture a positive environment and engage pupils in sporting initiatives, such as the Daily Mile, after-school clubs and more.
UPSKILL / NEW HIRE
Level 4 Sports Coach (Working in a School)
A programme designed to enhance the skillset of existing PE specialists to enable them to become a more impactful, and strategically-minded sports coach, building independence within a school setting.
UPSKILL
Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant: SEND
A new progression pathway for experienced teaching assistants to improve outcomes and advance their careers. Gain advanced skills to help children with special educational needs and gain HLTA status (optional).
UPSKILL
Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant: Language and Literacy
Gain the skills to provide whole-class, group or individual support for pupils with literacy challenges or speech, language and communication needs, under supervision of a speech and language therapist.
UPSKILL
Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant: Literacy
Help every child learn to read. Learners will enhance their planning, preparation and assessment skills, and become more confident in to support individual, small group and whole class literacy learning.
UPSKILL
Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant: Social and Emotional Wellbeing
Learn how to support pupils’ SEMH needs. Train to become an ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants). These are sought-after practitioners who are trained by Educational Psychologists to deliver targeted mental health support.
UPSKILL
Assistant SENCO Programme
Comprehensive training designed to help learners step into the assistant SENCo role, or enhance skills and knowledge if they are already in this position. Available exclusively through ESF Apprenticeships and Real Training.
UPSKILL
Level 5 Speech, Language and Communications Leadership Programme
Enables teachers and TAs to lead communication interventions across their setting, drive strategic change, and provide a vital link with specialist services. Includes the Higher Level Communications Practitioner award.
UPSKILL / NEW HIRE
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A programme designed to enhance the skillset of existing PE specialists to enable them to become a more impactful, and strategically-minded sports coach, building independence within a school setting.
UPSKILL
Level 7 Advanced SEND Leader Programme
Build your strategic leadership skills and feel more confident and better equipped to lead SEND provision in your school. You will receive leadership coaching, learn about managing SEND finances and keep abreast of SEND policy updates.
NEW HIRE / UPSKILL
Level 2 Early Years Practitioner
A practical, effective, way to start a fulfilling career in early years education, with a comprehensive introduction to working with children from birth to five years old.
NEW HIRE / UPSKILL
Level 3 Early Years Educator
Ensure a safe, secure and inclusive environment for children’s learning. Deepen your knowledge and skills around observations, assessment and the planning cycle for toddlers, babies, pre-schoolers or reception classes.
