NVQ helps Teaching Assistants at Balliol Lower School develop new skills and increase confidence

Over the last nine months, six Teaching Assistants at Balliol Lower School have been working towards their NVQ Level 2, Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools qualification. Linda Banks, Higher Level Teaching Assistant at the school told us how they had been getting on.

“All of the Teaching Assistants are very pleased that they’ve done the course, even though a few of them found it a little tricky at first to get back into learning after a long time away.  However, the support that they received from their tutor, who comes into school to train them, has been fantastic and has really helped them to get over any initial hurdles.”

The course is usually delivered within school and covers a range of topics including child development, providing support for learning activities, supporting children’s development, helping to keep children safe, contributing to positive relationships and provide effective support for your colleagues. There are no exams, instead assessment is through observations of practice in school by a tutor, as well as witness testimony and written work.  Linda added:

“A few of the assistants were not very computer literate at the start of the course but now they have picked up these new skills which are so important in the modern classroom, even at primary level.”

“There is no doubt that the course is challenging and it has pushed some of the Teaching Assistants out of their comfort zones, but they have learnt so much that it has definitely been worth it.  In fact one of our assistants has passed the course ahead of time which we’re delighted about.”

The course has been such a success that two of Balliol’s school volunteers are now considering taking the qualification.  

To find out more about Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools NVQ Level 2 visit www.bedfordtrainingservices.co.uk or call 0300 011 23 44 to speak to a Business Development Adviser.