Our Journey with Apprenticeships:
Manor Fields Primary
Helen Smith is Headteacher at Manor Fields Primary School in Bishop’s Stortford (part of Herts and Essex Multi Academy Trust).
Over the past decade, Manor Fields Primary has diversified its use of apprentices and apprenticeship training programmes. Initially, the focus was solely on hiring new members of staff as PE apprentices, before this was broadened to include classroom-based and Early Years support.
Recently Helen has started leveraging the government-funded training to upskill her existing staff. Her teaching assistants were some of the first in the country to embark on the new Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship, with staff opting to follow different specialisms.
Manor Fields Primary achieves high standards of academic success and is in the top 10% for some subjects nationally. It also has a large number of children with significant special educational needs.
Helen sums up her apprenticeship journey in the videos below.
What impact have apprentices and apprenticeships had on your school?
What are your initial impressions of the Level 5 Specialist TA qualification?
What advice would you give to Headteachers considering apprenticeships as a staff training option? Would you recommend ESF?
How have PE apprentices made a positive contribution to Manor Fields Primary School?
Find out more
Explore our Teaching Assistant progression pathway apprenticeships at Level 3 and Level 5