Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for young people to get their foot in the door for their chosen career path. One of our learners, Isobel Child a Level 3 Teaching Assistant at Wimborne Primary School who has used apprenticeships to start a career in education. Here is her story:
“I had just left school when I chose this Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprenticeship. I wanted to start gaining real work experience straight away rather than staying in a classroom. I enjoy supporting children in their learning, and this programme allows me to develop practical skills, build confidence, and learn about safeguarding, child development, and helping pupils. It also gives me a recognised qualification while working, which is a great first step towards a career in education.
I chose to do an apprenticeship instead of going to college because I learn best by doing things hands-on. I wanted to start building real experience in a school straight away rather than spending another two years in a classroom.
The main benefits of an apprenticeship programme are that you gain real work experience while still learning and developing your skills. I am able to apply what I learn straight away in a real job, which helps me understand things much faster.
I’m proud of building positive relationships with the pupils and staff. I’ve learned how to help children stay engaged in their learning, manage behaviour in a supportive way, and adapt my approach depending on what each child needs. Seeing pupils make progress and knowing I played a part in that has been a big achievement for me.
The best thing about my role is being able to make a real difference to the children I support. I enjoy helping pupils understand their work, seeing their confidence grow, and knowing that even small things I do can help them have a better day.
I have been well supported throughout my apprenticeship by both my employer and my LMP Tutor Melanie Paul. In school, the staff have taken the time to guide me, explain routines, and model good practice so I can learn from their experience. My LMP Tutor has also been a big support by helping me understand the coursework, setting clear targets, and giving me helpful advice during reviews.
The most important skill I have learnt during my apprenticeship is effective communication. I’ve learned how to speak to pupils in a calm, clear and supportive way, how to listen carefully, and how to explain tasks at the right level for different learners. I think this skill is important because good communication helps build trust with pupils and makes classroom learning run smoothly. It also helps when working with teachers and other staff, making sure everyone understands what needs to be done and how to support each child properly. Strong communication is essential in a school environment and developing it has made me much more confident and capable in my role.
After this programme, my next step is to continue developing my role in education. I would like to build on the experience and confidence I’ve gained and either progress into a permanent Teaching Assistant position or work towards a Level 4/Higher Level Teaching Assistant qualification. This apprenticeship has helped me realise that working with children is the career path I want, so my goal is to keep growing my skills and take on more responsibility in a school setting. In the long term, I may also look at further training or qualifications that can help me progress even further within education.”
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