The Aspirations Learning Institute delivers high-quality apprenticeships for colleagues across the education sector. With extensive experience and a strong foundation, we provide training tailored to the specific needs of the academies and trusts we support.
Ofsted recognised our achievements during their visit in November 2023, highlighting significant progress in all areas—a distinction achieved by only 4% of providers on their first inspection.
Explore our current apprenticeships offer, designed to suit your professional development goals, whether you’re looking to upskill yourself or train a team member.
Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship
Who Should Apply?
This two-year course ideally requires L3 qualifications with level 2 in English and maths (eg. GCSE) for entry, however, experienced candidates could reduce this timeframe.
Specialist Teaching Assistants are employed with 80% workload and 20% training while undertaking the apprenticeship.
There is capacity for the dual award of Foundation Degree in Education for those meeting standards.
Candidates choose ONE of THREE pathways:
- SEND
- Social and Emotional Well-being
- Curriculum
All work under the supervision of qualified teachers.
Level 5 Specialist Pathway Overviews
- SEND Pathway: Focuses on developing specialist knowledge of SEND to plan, prepare, deliver and evaluate learning and assessment activities, including for individual students, groups and classes. Advocate for children and young people with SEND.
- Social & Emotional Well-being Pathway: Build skills to support students’ mental health and emotional development through targeted interventions. Advocate for the social and emotional well-being of students and young people or lead a specialist area of social/emotional support within your setting.
- Curriculum Pathway: Focus on general teaching with a specific curriculum specialism. Enhance your subject knowledge and support teachers in delivering lessons. Additional subject knowledge enhancement is available to deepen curriculum knowledge.
The Specialist Teaching Assistant role
Specialist Teaching Assistants are proactive and influential colleagues who provide a complementary role alongside teachers and other staff.
They work under the direction of a qualified teacher to actively plan, organise, deliver and review high-quality learning for classes and groups of pupils. In addition to independently undertaking whole-class teaching, they can also work in a team-teaching capacity alongside a teacher.
Examples of specialist roles:
- Specialist staff to work in behaviour units and the field of young people’s mental health
- Members of teaching teams with qualified teachers supporting curriculum delivery in specialist areas
- Specialist staff in neurodiversity, dyslexia and other aspects of SEND
- Teaching to support English as an additional language, music, arts or sport – in fact, any curriculum area
- Team leaders with expertise in the impact of disadvantage to lead support teams within the area of pastoral provision
- Classroom-based specialist mental health staff to bring direct support to learners
- Specialists in support of young people who have experienced trauma
- Vocational subject input to address the need to apply learning
Progression Opportunities
You can continue your journey to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) by undertaking the second part of the 2+2 route.
2+2 route to becoming a qualified teacher
Two years as a Specialist Teaching Assistant undertaking the L5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship, followed by two years as an unqualified teacher undertaking the L6 Undergraduate Teacher Apprenticeship.
Advantages for the apprentice: fully funded and employment-based route into teaching with no student loan.
Advantages for the employer: committed, dedicated member of a teaching team for four years leading to a new teacher colleague fully integrated into your school.
2+1+1 route to becoming a qualified teacher
Two years employed as a Specialist Teaching Assistant undertaking the L5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship followed by one year completing an Honours degree, then one year as an unqualified teacher undertaking the L6 Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship.
Advantages for the apprentice: fully employment-based route into teaching with one year of student loan instead of four on standard routes into teaching.
Advantages for the employer: committed, dedicated member of a teaching team for up to four years leading to a new teacher colleague fully integrated into your school.
Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship
Access the Apprenticeship Levy to train existing Teaching Assistants, cover supervisors and unqualified teachers. Learners undertake the course while employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week.
Course content includes academic theory and classroom practice in an Aspirations Academy setting.
Who Should Apply?
Ideal for candidates with:
- Current teaching assistants or cover supervisors.
- Graduates working as unqualified teachers.
- Degree-qualified staff in non-teaching roles who want to pursue teacher training.
All may now achieve QTS (Qualified Teacher Status).
How is the Course Delivered?
The hybrid delivery model includes online learning, face-to-face mentoring, and practical classroom experience, allowing candidates to continue working while training. The course duration is typically 12 months.
What are the Benefits to Schools?
There are many benefits to schools which take this route to train their teachers. Moreover, there is a clear cost efficiency benefit but there are also benefits in attracting and recruiting graduates, as well as in training staff identified as having potential and aptitude, in a way closely tailored to the school’s requirements.
Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship
For aspiring and current senior leaders, this apprenticeship is equivalent to a Master’s degree.
Why Apply?
The programme develops advanced leadership skills through case studies, real-world examples, and workplace performance. Graduates receive a Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship and a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Management and Leadership.
How is the Course Delivered?
Tailored to the needs of the candidate and their academy/school, the course is typically delivered over two years via a mix of face-to-face mentoring sessions with an Apprenticeship Coach from within the Trust, and online learning, including academic assignments.
Participants remain employed while completing on-the-job training.
What is the End Point Assessment?
End Point Assessment (EPA) is an external process in two parts. Candidates complete a portfolio, participate in an hour-long professional discussion, and action an improvement plan for assessment.
What are the Benefits to Schools?
The programme goes beyond individual development by focusing on building a strong culture, encouraging teamwork and fostering high-performing teams. This approach helps participants think strategically and plan effectively, making it easier to apply what they learn to their roles within their school and the Trust.
All staff aiming for senior leadership positions within the Trust are expected to complete this qualification.
Level 5 Coaching Professional Apprenticeship
Develop a coaching toolkit and a new perspective on workplace teams in a programme which focuses on the philosophies of coaching, coaching activities, and advanced listening and questioning techniques.
Who Should Apply?
Open to staff with managerial responsibilities or those mentoring others, such as Early Career Teachers (ECTs).
The course equips you to work with a diverse pool of people and teams across organisations, engaging with and empowering them to improve their professional performance.
How is the Course Delivered and Assessed?
Participants remain in paid employment for the duration of this 18-month course. Candidates are required to prepare a Portfolio of Evidence for End Point Assessment, undertake a knowledge test and complete an Observation of Coaching Practice along with a Q&A session.
What are the Benefits to Schools?
Having team members with high-level coaching skills will allow academies and the wider Trust to develop and support our staff and enhance professional performance.
It is anticipated that all eligible staff will undertake this qualification.
Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeships
Train new or existing teaching assistants to support classroom learning through this fully-funded, 18-month programme.
Who Should Apply?
The programme is aimed at teaching assistants who are working as a L2 TA and are interested in developing their skills and confidence further.
All applicants should have English and Maths GCSE qualifications at Grace C/4 (or Functional Skills Level 2 in both subjects) and be employed in an education setting.
How is the Course Delivered and Assessed?
The programme combines online and face-to-face training with 20% off-the-job learning. Throughout the apprenticeship (typically 18 months), modules cover safeguarding, supporting behaviour for learning, planning for intervention and supporting pupils with SEND and EAL.
At the end of the course, candidates will have a period of three months to complete the End Point Assessment.
What are the Benefits to Schools?
Enrolling teaching assistants in the L3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship enhances school performance, aids recruitment and retention, and supports career progression.
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