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Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships

One route into working as a Teaching Assistant or as an Early Years Practitioner is to utilise the government-funded Apprenticeships programme. 

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study.

As an apprentice you’ll:

  • be an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay

  • work alongside experienced staff

  • gain job-specific skills

  • get time for training and study related to your role (at least 20% of your normal working hours)

Apprenticeships take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level.

Many local schools recruit for apprentices here on Teach in Herts, working with local training providers, including:

ESF Apprenticeships 

Whether you are a recent school leaver or have years of teaching experience, apprenticeships are a great way to start your career in education or grow and put new learning into practice.
We offer specialist training in schools, combining hands-on experience and professional training to help you grow confidently in your role; from TAs, SENCOs, PE Specialists, Early Years practitioners and Senior Leaders.

ESF Apprenticeships offer a wide range of apprenticeship programmes designed for new and experienced teaching assistants, SENCOs, teachers and senior leaders looking to develop in their role and progress in their career. Apprenticeships provide practical opportunities to learn on the job, giving people the knowledge, skills they require to be successful in their roles and positively impact pupils.

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship
Level 2 Community Activator (Working in a School)
Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship
Level 3 Teaching Assistant With a PE, Health and Wellbeing Focus
Level 3 Teaching Assistant With SEND Training
Level 4 Sports Coach Apprenticeship (Based in a School)
Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship
Level 5 Assistant SENCO Programme
Level 5 Speech, Language and Communications Leadership Programme (With Elklan HLCP qualification)
Advanced SEND Leader Programme

TES Institute

Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship
Why study for a Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship?
Level 6 Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship

Hertfordshire County Council Apprenticeships

If you are looking for an Apprenticeship within a Hertfordshire school, Hertfordshire County Council have a dedicated Apprenticeship Team, who would be happy to help you.

They are able to give support, advice and guidance on a range of school specific apprenticeships available with in the County, please see those listed below for an overview of the apprenticeship subject and entry requirements.

Whether you are starting your journey into a career within the education sector, or looking to further your prospects, you can get in touch with them by emailing [email protected]

You can also view more details apprenticeships available at Hertfordshire County Council (excluding schools) by visiting their website.

School Specific Apprenticeships

Academic Professional L7

Community Activator Coach L2

Community Sport & Health Officer L3

Early Intervention Practitioner L4

Early Years Educator L3

Early Years Lead Practitioner L5

Early Years Practitioner L2

Event Assistant L3

Learning & Skills Assessor L3

Learning & Skills Teacher L5

Playworker L2

School Business Professional L4

Sports Coach L4

Teacher L6

Teaching Assistant L3

This list is designed to give an idea of the type of school specific apprenticeships available and may be subject to change.

There is a great deal of useful information on the Hertfordshire website here:

Apprenticeship & Traineeships

or you can search a national database of apprenticeships by interest and post code here:

Browse apprenticeships before you apply

Browse training providers here: Register of apprenticeship training providers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)