Teaching Assistant

Version 1.1 – TQUK Level 3 End-Point Assessment for ST0454 Teaching Assistant (603/3868/4)

Funding: £7,000

Duration: 18 months

Level: 3

Number: ST0454

LARS Number: 297

Version: 1.1

This page describes the latest version of the Teaching Assistant standard (version 1.1), which came into force in May 2023. This version revised the standard, EPA plan and funding. Version 1 is still used for apprentices who started between 26th June 2018 and 5th May 2023. For more information, please visit the IfATE’s website.

A Teaching Assistant works in primary, secondary and special education helping the lead class teacher enhance pupils’ learning. They’re required to ensure pupils understand the work set, have an adequate grasp of their learning objectives and stay on task in order to make progress in the learning environment. Full-time apprentices undertaking the Teaching Assistant apprenticeship will typically spend 18 months on-programme, working towards the standard, with a minimum of 20% of the time being included in their stipulated off-the-job training.

End-Point Assessment Components 

To complete their End-Point Assessment, Teaching Assistant apprentices must achieve a pass or distinction in the following two components.

  • The practical observation is carried out over approximately 110 minutes, consisting of a 90-minute observation and 20 minutes of questioning.

    The observation must take place within the individual’s workplace and they should be allowed to move around the organisation in an effort to demonstrate the key knowledge, skills and behaviours developed during their apprenticeship. This helps the Assessor establish whether the apprentice has achieved their apprenticeship and work objectives.

    The aim of the additional question and answer session is to allow the End-Point Assessor to ask any follow-up questions related to partially demonstrated knowledge, skills and behaviours seen during the observation.

  • The professional discussion is a structured discussion between the apprentice and the End-Point Assessor following the practical observation. It establishes the apprentice’s understanding and application of all the knowledge, skills and behaviours. The portfolio of evidence should be given to the End-Point Assessor approximately two weeks prior to the discussion. The portfolio enables the End-Point Assessor to form the basis of and prepare for the professional discussion.

    The discussion lasts for approximately 90 minutes while the portfolio of evidence should be completed during the on-programme learning and contain a minimum of 10 pieces of evidence and a maximum of 15.

Why TQUK?

Assessment planning meetings for all apprentices

5 working days average turnaround for EPA results**

Assessors make contact within 5 working days

Gateway submission reviewed within 24 hours

Assessor assigned after 24 hours of acceptance

Average gateway-to-completion of 6 weeks*

*unless otherwise stipulated by the assessment plan  **current average is 2.5 working days turnaround for EPA results

Learn more about this standard