Certificate in the Role of a Teaching Assistant

Amjad Ali
Experienced senior leader, trainer and speaker

Course

2h 2m

Rated 5 stars

258 reviews

6 modules

Developed by experienced education trainer Amjad Ali, this course will provide a detailed exploration of what it means to be a teaching assistant (TA). It will examine what the role entails and equip you with the skills and knowledge to become an exceptional TA.
CPD Certified
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For: Teaching Assistants 

Aim: Developed by experienced education trainer Amjad Ali, this course will provide a detailed exploration of what it means to be a teaching assistant (TA). It will examine what the role entails and equip you with the skills and knowledge to become an exceptional TA.

Description: Teaching assistants play an absolutely vital role in modern educational settings. As well as supporting teachers in tasks such as preparing classrooms or lesson materials, a TA is also required to work with pupils to ensure they understand what’s being taught; monitor and record learners’ progress; and on occasion lead classes themselves. As a result, TAs will require the ability to communicate ideas and listen actively; show emotional sensitivity and understanding; and demonstrate patience and calmness in often stressful situations. Our course outlines how to put these attributes together to make yourself into an outstanding, invaluable TA. 

Please note: This course provides AI-generated subtitles in multiple languages including English, Welsh, Arabic, German, Spanish, French, Polish, Ukrainian, Portuguese, Russian, Romanian and Chinese. To select a language, start the video and click the Closed Captioning (CC) button. 

When planning and allocating your time, please consider that this training course consists of learning through video, task completion and further reading/research. To successfully understand and achieve the objectives from the course, learners are expected to engage in all aspects of the learning process and complete all relevant activities to ensure they can successfully apply the knowledge and skills they have gained in their own setting.

Introduction

Developed by experienced education trainer Amjad Ali, this course will provide a detailed exploration of what it means to be a teaching assistant (TA). It will examine what the role entails and equip you with the skills and knowledge to become an exceptional TA.

Module 1: Introduction to the Role of a Teaching Assistant

This module serves as an introduction to the vital role teaching assistants play in educational settings, covering the historical context, legal frameworks, and the evolution of the role within the British educational system.

Module 2: Understanding special educational needs and disabilities

This module delves into the diverse range of special educational needs and disabilities TAs may encounter in their work, focusing on understanding the characteristics, needs, and challenges faced by students with various SEND conditions.

Module 3: Effective communication and collaboration

This module covers the various communication strategies, including verbal, non-verbal, and written communication, and explains how to communicate with teachers, parents, and students with diverse needs.

Module 4: Differentiation and adaptive support techniques

This module focuses on practical strategies for providing differentiated support to meet the diverse learning needs of students, including adapting tasks, creating accessible materials, and implementing some assistive technology.

Module 5: Safeguarding, wellbeing, and professional development

This module emphasises the importance of safeguarding, promoting student wellbeing, and continued professional development, and looks at safeguarding policies and their role in ensuring a safe learning environment.

Outcome 1:

Understanding in detail the various roles and key responsibilities that Teaching Assistants frequently have in an educational setting

Outcome 2:

Building a toolkit of strategies for effective communication and collaboration when working with teachers, pupils and parents

Outcome 3:

Considering differentiation and adaptive support strategies which help to meet the diverse needs of pupils

Outcome 4:

Gaining insights into behaviour management and how to help create and maintain a positive learning environment

Outcome 5:

Recognising opportunities to enhance your personal and professional development as a TA; identifying potential areas for growth and creating relevant goals and objectives for yourself

Amjad Ali

Amjad Ali is an experienced SENCo, senior leader and education trainer who has taught in a range of challenging and diverse schools. He is also a TEDx speaker. Amjad has delivered CPD to all sectors in education from trainee teachers to CEOs, executive and headteachers, both in the UK and internationally, covering a range of topics. He has worked with over 100 schools and 1000s of students.

Amjad is a qualified, practising SENCO and is also trained as an Advanced Skills Teacher in Teaching and Learning. Before stepping into the world of education, he spent time as Play Worker and Learning Support Assistant in Young Offenders Institutes.

Amjad has previously co-organised some of the country’s largest teachmeets such as #TMOxford and #TMLondon. He also presents keynotes and offers workshops and inspirational addresses at various educational events such as the Telegraph Education Festival, #NRocks #SRocks, Northern Learning Conference and many others all around the United Kingdom. Amjad's sharing 'portfolio' involves the setting up international initiatives such as #TwitterCoachingED and #CultureBoxED.

Most recently he co-founded #BAMEed a grass-roots movement aimed at ensuring our diverse communities are represented as a substantive part of the education workforce for teachers and leaders in education.

Amjad is ambitious and committed to making a difference to the education system. He is a current teacher, who then shares what works in an engaging and easy to understand format. Amjad also writes a reflective blog entitled NewToThePost where he discusses many elements of his leadership and experience.

He currently works four days a week in a start-up secondary school and offers CPD/INSET on his other day.