Testimonial "I have enjoyed the course as it has given me more confidence to get back into the world of study" Alex P Level 3 SUPPORTING TEACHING & LEARNING IN SCHOOLS (32 credits) If you have an aspiration to work in schools in a support role but perhaps want to take it slowly&44; one step at a time then this minimal stress&44; low cost option might be just the thing for you. Helping children learn & grow is one of the most fulfilling & rewarding roles a person can choose. Successive governments have been committed to improving our education system & having teaching assistants in classrooms is a way of ensuring that teachers have more time to do what they are there for &226;&128;" teach. This brand new supporting teaching & learning in schools course is competence-based &226;&128;" meaning it actually teaches you the skills you will need in the classroom situation. It also means it is suitable for any support staff role in education. It will help you understand the responsibilities of the various roles in the school system&44; equip you with the information & ability to support teachers in the classroom & develops your skills in assisting children to grow & develop important qualities like independence&44; self-esteem & application to learning. The supporting teaching & learning in schools course also addresses crucial topics for those working with children including safety&44; communications & the school environment.&194; Though the course is essentially distance learning you will be required to undertake a placement of at least 50 hours sometime in the course of your online study to demonstrate practical competence. Along with their initial set of course materials&44; students will receive a complete guide giving them ample information on what is required of them during the placement&44; how to organise the placement & the types of actions that they will be required to complete on the placement (including examples of the types of paperwork that will need to be submitted to your personal tutor for evidence). What are my options after the Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools course? Our training courses & qualifications for teaching assistants are aimed at helping you take advance your career in teaching support. Become a teaching assistant.&194; After successful completion of our teaching assistants training course&44; you would be eligible to apply for teaching assistant positions in nursery&44; infant or junior schools or in special&44; secondary or independent schools&44; potentially earning up to &194;&163;18&44;000* pa. If you are already a teaching assistant&44; you could be entitled to a pay increase. Get promotion. If you are a teaching assistant already you might now be able to work unsupervised gain promotion to Senior Teaching Assistant&44; Senior Learning Support Assistant or Senior Special Educational Needs Assistant you might also qualify for a pay increase. Foundation degree. If you want to go to university & get a degree&44; this might make you eligible for a foundation degree course. Build your career.&194; If you want to take on further responsibilities & advance your career as a teaching assistant career&44; you could take further teaching assistant qualifications for posts from Higher Level Teaching Assistant to Teacher. * Source: Payscale.com&44; Sept 2012.