Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant

Specialist Teaching Assistants play a key role in supporting children and young people through targeted, specialist provision that meets the diverse needs of learners. They provide expert support in areas such as Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), social and emotional wellbeing, and specialist curriculum areas, helping learners to overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.

This apprenticeship enables Teaching Assistants to develop advanced knowledge, skills, and behaviours to support learners within their chosen area of specialism. Whether supporting individual needs, promoting wellbeing, or delivering specialist learning opportunities, apprentices will develop the expertise needed to make a positive impact within their educational setting.

Within this Apprenticeship Standard, learners can choose from three specialist pathways:

Curriculum Specialist
Develop specialist knowledge in an area of curriculum provision, such as Forest School, English as an Additional Language (EAL), subject-based interventions, music education, or another area of specialist learning.

Wellbeing Specialist
Focus on supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of learners, helping to build confidence, resilience, positive relationships, and a supportive learning environment.

SEND Specialist
Gain enhanced skills and understanding to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), ensuring personalised support and inclusive learning opportunities.

By completing this apprenticeship, Specialist Teaching Assistants will be equipped to take on increased responsibility, enhance their professional practice, and make a meaningful difference to the learning, development, and wellbeing of children and young people.

Our Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant (Curriculum pathway) apprenticeship is suited to teaching assistants looking to specialise in a particular subject or curriculum area.

This qualification helps deepen your understanding of curriculum design and delivery. You’ll learn how to plan and lead interventions within your subject specialism, such as early reading, maths, EAL, or forest school, and contribute to the development of high-quality teaching and learning in that area.

Through this route, you will explore research-informed strategies, assessment methods and effective ways to support learners in meeting curriculum goals. You will also gain experience in mentoring colleagues

and contributing to Subject development across the school.

Completing this apprenticeship will build your confidence, strengthen your subject knowledge and establish you as a valuable specialist within your team, ensuring you can make a measurable impact on pupil progress and whole-school improvement.

Our Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant (Social & Emotional Well-being pathway) apprenticeship is designed for those looking to specialise in pupil mental health, resilience and emotional development.

The qualification focuses on building your capacity to design, lead and evaluate targeted well-being interventions. You'll learn how to create safe and inclusive spaces, deliver small-group or one-to-one sessions, and help students build social confidence and emotional literacy.

Core topics include attachment theory, trauma-informed practice, behaviour support and collaborative working with pastoral and safeguarding leads. This pathway helps you develop the confidence to promote positive well-being across the whole school.

Completing this apprenticeship demonstrates your commitment to supporting the emotional development of young people. You’ll gain the skills to work with empathy and clarity- playing a central role in fostering student engagement, self-esteem and readiness to learn

Our Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant (SEND pathway) apprenticeship is ideal for professionals who want to deepen their expertise in supporting learners with special educational needs and disabilities.

This qualification offers a clear route to enhancing your knowledge of inclusive practice, learning support strategies and the effective implementation of SEND provision. You will develop the skills needed to adapt learning for individual needs, apply school SEND policies and collaborate confidently with teachers, SENCOs and external professionals.

Topics include understanding specific learning difficulties, tailoring curriculum access, and tracking learner progress through appropriate interventions. This focused development builds on your experience and enables you to play a key role in delivering high-quality education for all learners.

Successfully completing this apprenticeship reflects a commitment to inclusive teaching and professional growth. It positions you as a trusted advocate for SEND learners and a valuable contributor to a whole-school approach to learning support. 

The EPA consists of two distinct assessment elements: 

• Practical observation with questions & answers 
• Professional discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence. 

Typically 24 months + 3 months End Point Assessment