Specialist Teaching Assistant - Level 5 Apprenticeship

The Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship is designed for practitioners who want to deepen their expertise, support learners with greater impact, and take the next step in their education career.

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Whether you are already working in a specialist support role or looking to build on your experience in the classroom, this programme helps you develop advanced knowledge, practical skills, and the confidence to support every learner to thrive. Already working as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant, SEND Teaching Assistant, Specialist Learning Assistant, or in a similar role? This could be your perfect next move.

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What to expect

Ready to strengthen your impact in education? The Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship is designed to help experienced practitioners build advanced pedagogical knowledge, sharpen their professional practice, and become a specialist source of support within their setting.

Throughout the programme, learners develop research informed strategies to provide targeted support, helping children and young people make progress and achieve their full potential within an inclusive educational environment. This includes deepening knowledge of child development, assessment, SEND, communication, behaviour, and collaborative working.

For employers, this apprenticeship is a valuable way to invest in staff who can lead by example, support colleagues, and help create high quality learning experiences across the setting. It supports the development of confident practitioners who can champion inclusion, remove barriers to learning, and contribute to stronger outcomes for learners, teams, and the wider school community.

By the end of the programme, apprentices will be better prepared to step into specialist support roles, lead elements of practice, and make an even greater difference to the learners they work with every day.

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Key Features

Unlock your potential with our Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship. This programme is designed to help you grow your expertise, strengthen your practice, and create meaningful impact in education.

Specialist knowledge that makes a difference

Develop advanced understanding in areas such as pedagogy, assessment, child development, inclusion, SEND, and learner wellbeing, helping you provide targeted and effective support.

Nationally respected progression route

Build towards a Level 5 apprenticeship programme that also includes the Level 4 Award for Higher Level Teaching Assistants, RQF, giving you a recognised and respected development pathway.

Practical skills for real educational settings

Apply your learning directly in the workplace through observation, planning, assessment, communication, collaboration, and specialist support strategies that make a real difference day to day.

Leadership and professional growth

Strengthen your ability to coach, mentor, and support others, while developing the professional confidence to contribute more widely across your setting.

Tailored support throughout

You will be supported by experienced tutors and teams who are there to guide you through every stage of the programme, from enrolment through to EPA.

Your learning journey

With Shaping Lives’ Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship, learners follow a structured journey designed to build confidence, deepen knowledge, and develop specialist practice over time.

Start

Enrolment and initial assessment

Early programme

Induction and skill scan

Months 1 to 3

Professionalism

Months 4 to 6

Regulation and guidance

Months 16 to 18

Specialist option, SEND

Months 13 to 15

Communication

Months 10 to 12

Planning and assessment

Months 7 to 9

Advancing learning

Final stage

Getting ready for EPA

EPA

This journey is designed to build both technical understanding and workplace confidence, helping learners grow step by step while applying their learning in a real educational setting.

Start

Enrolment and initial assessment

Early programme

Induction and skill scan

Months 1 to 3

Professionalism

Months 4 to 6

Regulation and guidance

Start

Months 16 to 18

Specialist option, SEND

Months 13 to 15

Communication

Months 10 to 12

Planning and assessment

Months 7 to 9

Advancing learning

Start

Final stage

Getting ready for EPA

EPA

This journey is designed to build both technical understanding and workplace confidence, helping learners grow step by step while applying their learning in a real educational setting.

Start EPA

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that taking the next step in your Early Years career is a big decision. To help you feel confident and informed, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about the Specialist Teaching Assistant Level 5 Apprenticeship. If you have any additional questions, feel free to get in touch with us!

Learners should already be working in a relevant educational support role where they can apply their learning in practice. Entry requirements may vary depending on experience, prior qualifications, and job role, so our team can talk this through with you.

This programme is ideal for practitioners already working in specialist or higher level support roles, including SEND focused positions, who are ready to deepen their expertise and grow their impact.

The programme is delivered through a blend of eLearning, workshops, workplace application, tutor support, and ongoing guidance, making it easier to balance learning alongside day to day responsibilities.

Learners complete the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship programme and work towards the Level 4 Award for Higher Level Teaching Assistants, RQF.

Experience you can trust

Our dedication to delivering high quality apprenticeship training has made Shaping Lives a trusted training provider for learners and employers alike.

With a Good Ofsted rating and a strong reputation for quality, support, and learner experience, we are proud to help education professionals build the skills, confidence, and knowledge they need to shape brighter futures.