School Support Staff

Introduction

The Workforce Development and Governance Service assists school support staff to access continuing professional development and career progression routes. The Service is a registered provider of the NVQ level 3 for Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools and currently offers levels 3 and 4 for Learning Mentors. In addition the Service helps school support staff gain accreditation at level 2 for numeracy and literacy; prepares and assesses candidates for the Support Work in School Qualification at Level 2/3 (VQ2/3); prepares teaching assistants for assessment for Higher Level Teacher Assistant status; delivers structured induction programmes for school support staff and teaching assistants

What do we do for NVQ Candidates?

The Service provides NVQ candidates with:

A structured programme of study leading to the achievement of the NVQ qualifications in 12 to 18 months;
Regular tutorials and some taught sessions on the programme of study for NVQ levels 3 and 4;
Set assignments, assessment and feedback on portfolio evidence;
Observation and feedback on practice in schools to add to portfolio evidence; and
Support to mentors who contribute to the assessment of candidates in school.

Am I eligible to apply for the NVQ?

The NVQ Level 3 is equivalent to an A Level qualification and is intended for anyone supporting teaching and learning in schools. Level 4 for Learning Mentors is at an equivalent level to undergraduate courses of study and is for experienced Learning Mentors with a wide range of duties, experience and responsiblility. Candidates must:

Be supporting teaching and learning in an Oldham school;
Gain the support of your school to provide a mentor to contribute to your assessment;
Have a level of English that is adequate for completing written assignments; and
Have the ability to manage time to study and work at the same time.

What are the benefits?

Benefits of embarking on any qualification programme include:

Increased job satisfaction;
Skill development and access to progression routes;
Potential to progress to the Higher Level Teaching Assistant status for teaching assistants;
Opportunity to move into teaching through studying for a Foundation Degree;
Better equipped to train to teach on the Graduate Teacher Programme.