Week 1: The role of the Teaching Assistant in supporting SEND

Week 2: Development and SEND – typical and atypical development

Week 3: The EHCP process and the role of the Teaching Assistant

Week 4: Collaborative working – Teaching Assistants and other professionals

Week 5: Technology and resources for supporting SEND learners

Week 6: Supporting SEND learners one-to-one

Week 7: Strategies for working with groups of SEND learners

Week 8: Supporting holistic needs – emotional development and the role of the ELSA

Week 9: Using teacher planning and adapting learning to individual needs

Week 10: Career opportunities and next steps for Teaching Assistants

This Skills Bootcamp isn't just about developing your knowledge – it's designed to help you take your next step.

Throughout the programme, you'll receive support to build your confidence and understand how your new skills can be applied within an education setting. There may also be opportunities to gain additional insight into the workplace through shadowing experience within an education setting.

On completion, you could use the skills you've developed to explore opportunities such as:

• Teaching Assistant
• Learning Support Assistant
• SEND Teaching Assistant
• Classroom Support Assistant
• Learning Support roles within schools and other education settings.

You can also explore opportunities to continue developing your career through further training and qualifications.

Progress your career in education

If you secure a suitable Teaching Assistant role, you may be able to progress to the Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship with Embedded SEND, allowing you to continue developing your skills while working in education.

From there, experienced Teaching Assistants may also have the opportunity to progress further through the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship.

Skills Bootcamp → Employment → Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship → Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship

If you secure a suitable Teaching Assistant role, you may be able to progress to the Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship with Embedded SEND, allowing you to continue developing your skills while working in education.

From there, experienced Teaching Assistants may also have the opportunity to progress further through the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship.

Skills Bootcamp → Employment → Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship → Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship

You can study this Skills Bootcamp for free if you meet the eligibility criteria.

You must:

• be aged 19 or over
• have the right to work in the UK
• live or work in an eligible Surrey postcode
• have basic working IT knowledge.

It is preferable that you hold English and maths qualifications at Level 2, such as GCSEs, and are working at or above this level.

Not sure whether you're eligible? Register your interest and our team can help you understand your options.

This Skills Bootcamp is free for eligible individual learners.

Skills Bootcamps are government-funded training programmes designed to help adults develop skills that can lead to new employment opportunities and career progression.

Throughout the programme, you'll take part in activities designed to help you apply what you've learned and demonstrate your developing knowledge and skills.

The focus is on building practical knowledge and confidence that you can use within an education setting and in your next steps towards employment or further training.

Develop the skills and confidence to support children and young people, build specialist knowledge of SEND and prepare for your next step towards becoming a Teaching Assistant.

Course dates: 17 November 2026 – 18 February 2027