This month we are celebrating our fantastic Apprentice of the Month. LMP Education would like to congratulate Scarlett Crompton, a Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprentice at Rugeley John Taylor School, for winning this accolade. Here is her story:
“I chose this apprenticeship programme as I have always wanted to work in a secondary school because, during my own time at secondary school, I struggled with my mental health. Having a strong support system around me made a huge difference and helped me get through that difficult period. Because of this, I wanted to become someone who can provide the same support, guidance, and encouragement to other young people who may be facing similar challenges.
I decided to do an apprenticeship over university because I didn’t want the financial pressure that comes with going to university, and I liked the idea of being able to earn while learning. I also wanted the chance to gain real experience working in a school to see if it’s something I truly enjoy and can see myself doing long term. Being able to learn on the job and work directly with students feels much more suited to me than only studying in a classroom.
One of the main benefits of an apprenticeship for me is being able to gain real work experience while also learning and developing new skills. An apprenticeship has made me feel like I have a purpose and I am actively making a difference.
I am most proud of the confidence and experience I have gained during my apprenticeship. Working in a school environment has helped me develop my communication skills, build positive relationships with students and staff, and become more confident in supporting young people. I am especially proud of being able to see that I have made a positive difference to students, whether that is through supporting them emotionally, helping them feel more comfortable in school, or simply being someone they can talk to. Balancing work while continuing to learn has also helped me grow both personally and professionally.
The best thing about being a teaching assistant for me is being able to support students and see the difference I can make in their day-to-day lives. I enjoy building positive relationships with students and helping them feel more confident, comfortable, and supported in school. It’s really rewarding when a student begins to open up, make progress, or feel proud of themselves, knowing that I’ve played a small part in helping them get there.
I believe my work has had a positive impact on both the pupils and the school by helping to create a supportive and encouraging environment for students. I have been able to build strong relationships with pupils, support them emotionally and academically, and help some students feel more confident and comfortable in school. Seeing students become more engaged, open up, or make progress, even in small ways, has shown me that the support I provide can make a real difference to their overall school experience.
I have been well supported throughout this programme by both my employer and my LMP tutor. Sara has provided me with lots of opportunities to develop my skills and experience, such as giving me the chance to complete diabetic training, which has helped build my confidence and knowledge within the role. Hannah, my LMP tutor, has also been very supportive throughout the programme, always offering guidance, encouragement, and help whenever I have needed it. Their support has helped me grow both personally and professionally during my apprenticeship.
The most important skill I have learnt during my apprenticeship is communication. Working in a school has shown me how important it is to communicate clearly and positively with both students and staff. Good communication helps build trust and strong relationships, especially with students who may be struggling or need extra support. I think it’s such an important skill because being able to listen, understand, and respond appropriately can make a real difference to a student’s confidence, wellbeing, and overall experience in school.
After this programme, I would like to continue working as a teaching assistant as I still feel there is a lot more experience for me to gain and I really enjoy the role. I’m not in a rush to move on straight away, as I want to continue building my confidence and skills while supporting students. However, in the future, I would eventually like to become an Religious Education teacher because I enjoy the subject and would love the opportunity to teach and support students on a larger scale.”
Hannah Bland, Scarlett’s LMP tutor has said:
“Scarlett is ahead with her apprenticeship work and continually produces outstanding work. She is now taking time revising for her EPA and making amendments to work she has submitted previously as she has new examples or new knowledge to add. She has amazing feedback from the teachers and SLT from the school and they are supporting her in providing opportunities and training that Scarlett actively puts into her practice within her role. The students at the high school also speak highly of her.
Scarlett is currently 4 months ahead with her apprenticeship work and is already keen on seeking information on completing level 5 or 6 once she has completed this apprenticeship.”
Well done Scarlett, best of luck in the future!
