SUPPORTING TEACHING & LEARNING IN SCHOOLS - LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE
Duration: 20 weeks
Level: Level 2
Learning support staff, such as teaching assistants or cover supervisors, play a vital role in today’s classrooms by making sure pupils get the most out of their lessons. You will have the opportunity to work with children and young people and gain an understanding into their development. Your work in class will depend on how the teachers you work with plan their lessons and handle day-to-day classroom activities – however, you could find yourself supervising arts and crafts activities, helping with outings, or reading to the class.
As part of this course, you will study the following components:
Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools - Level 2 Certificate
Understanding Autism - Level 2 Certificate
Phonics (non-accredited)
Course Information
Duration: 12 January 2026 - 29 June 2026
When: Monday 9:15am - 2:30pm
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Your study programme contains a mixture of qualifications, that will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to work in the education industry.
Study subjects include:
Children and young people’s development
Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people
Communication and professional relationships
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Supporting learning, positive behaviour and children's health & safety
Introduction to Autism
Person-centred approach to supporting autistic individuals
Communication and social interaction in autistic individuals
Sensory processing, perception and cognition
Supporting positive behaviour
Phonics
As part of your programme you will be introduced to phonics, which will support you in assisting with early literacy skills, helping children decode words and develop reading fluency.
You will learn:
How sounds can correspond to individual or groups of letters, bringing together words, by sound
How phonics can support their writing skills, enabling them to know which letters they need to use when writing specific words
The differing types of phonics based resources and activities to improve reading
How to engage young children in phonics sessions
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
Portfolio of evidence
Work products
Professional discussions
Witness testimonies
Class discussions
Presentations
WHAT CAN I DO NEXT?
This qualification will enable you to progress within an educational setting as a Teaching Assistant (TA), where you can advance your experience and your qualifications to potentially become a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA). You may also wish to pursue employment in specialist roles within special educational needs.
There are also a range of further adult courses available at Preston College that compliment this sector, such as:
Mental health first aid – Level 2 Certificate
Understanding Children and Young Peoples Mental Health - Level 2 Certificate
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW?
You must have a work placement arranged for six hours per week, recent classroom experience prior to starting the course is essential. In order to work with children and young people you will be required to have a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You will need GCSE (or equivalent) in English at grade C (4) or above and GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths at grade D (3) or above. A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and a suitable work placement is essential for this course. Your work placement should be 6 hours per week in a classroom and the placement should commence one month prior to the start of the course and continue for the duration of the course.
