Supporting Staff to Support Learners: Upskilling Your Support, TA, and Volunteer Staff with Fully Funded* ASF Learning

For Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), the key to fostering an inclusive and effective learning environment lies not only in the quality of teaching staff but also in the strength and preparedness of support staff. Teaching assistants, LSAs, pastoral staff, and volunteers play a crucial role in nurturing and guiding learners, often providing an essential bridge between our learners with the highest needs and their learning journey. The question for MATs is how to effectively and scalably equip those support staff with the skills and knowledge they need to be that link and support every one of their learners effectively.

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Meeting the Need for Continuous Development in Schools

Recognising the value of ongoing professional development for support staff, the Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools course offers an excellent opportunity for MATs to invest in the people who are integral to their schools' daily success. Fully funded* by the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), this 32-week course is designed to build on the existing strengths of teaching assistants, pastoral staff, and parent volunteers by equipping them with enhanced skills and knowledge to better support both learners and teachers.

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Empowering Staff with Knowledge and Confidence

The Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools course provides a comprehensive package that includes training in several key areas. Knowledge that, when deployed, will allow support staff to effectively support the learning of the young people they are working with. For the main Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools qualification this includes:

• Child development
• Building positive relationships
• Understanding schools and the learning process
• Supporting in the classroom
• Keeping children safe in education
• Inclusion and adaptive teaching 

In addition to the main Level 2 qualification, each of the below specialist areas are awarded as part of the course: 

• Safeguarding and Prevent (Level 2): Reinforcing the understanding of safeguarding principles and the Prevent strategy ensures that support staff are always prepared to maintain a safe and inclusive environment where all students can thrive.
• Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties (Level 2): By deepening their understanding of specific learning difficulties, staff can tailor their approaches to support diverse learners more effectively, building on the supportive practices they already provide in their daily roles.
• Employability Skills (Level 2): This component focuses on enhancing skills such as teamwork, professionalism, and effective communication, which are essential for fostering a collaborative environment where staff can support each other and work seamlessly with teaching colleagues.
• Mentoring (Level 1): Developing mentoring skills not only helps staff to guide students but also to support one another, creating a more interconnected and growth-oriented school culture.
• Interpersonal Skills (Level 1): Building confidence and assertiveness helps staff navigate the dynamic environment of a school setting with greater ease, positively impacting both student interactions and teamwork among colleagues.

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How Upskilled Staff Create a Positive Impact on Learners

The benefits of this training are not only for the staff themselves but directly translate to more effective support for learners:

• Enhanced Support Tailored to Learner Needs: With a deeper understanding of safeguarding and learning difficulties, staff are better positioned to offer targeted, thoughtful support that can help every student feel understood and valued.
• Creating Cohesive, Collaborative Learning Environments: By building skills in teamwork and communication, the course enables support staff to work even more effectively with teachers, creating a more cohesive learning environment where everyone’s role is clearly aligned with supporting student success.
• Opportunities for Personal and Professional Growth: The course also offers a pathway to further qualifications, such as the Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship, and encourages a culture of continuous improvement and development. Staff who feel supported in their professional growth are more likely to stay engaged and committed to their schools.

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A Flexible, Fully Funded* Opportunity for MATs

The Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools course is designed to fit seamlessly within the busy schedules of school staff. It spans 32 weeks, making it possible to complete within a single academic year, and includes as part of the course face-to-face tutoring at no additional cost. Other than the half day, weekly tutoring session, there is no off-the-job requirement, meaning staff can continue their valuable work in schools while enhancing their skills.

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Investing in Those Who Make a Difference Every Day

Upskilling support staff is about more than just training—it’s about recognising the essential role they play in shaping the educational experience. When MATs invest in professional development for their teaching assistants, pastoral staff, and volunteers, they are investing in the heart of their school communities. This course offers a practical, fully funded* way to support those who support learners every day, ensuring they have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to continue making a positive difference.

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A Strategic Step Towards a Stronger Educational Community

By offering the Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools course across your schools, you can help your staff build on their strengths, develop new skills, and continue to create a supportive environment that benefits all learners. To find out more about implementing this fully funded* course and the advantages it could bring to your MAT, please contact us at Learning 3D Limited. Together, we can support your staff as they continue to support and inspire learners every day.

Get in contact with us to find out more about how fully funded ASF courses can support your school or trust - info@learning3d.com.

*qualifying criteria for learners apply, get in contact with a member of Learning 3D team to find out more.

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