LMP Education is proud to partner with Oasis Community Learning providing tailored apprenticeship training programmes to develop their staff. Since 2018, LMP has supported over 700 apprenticeships across the Oasis trust nationwide.
In Oasis Academy Leesbrook, LMP Education works to develop their teaching staff supporting staff retention and development. Simara Firdos the Operational SENDCO at the school explains:
“ Leesbrook chose LMP Education as a training provider due to its strong reputation for delivering high-quality, flexible training tailored to the needs of schools and educational staff. LMP offers specialised programmes in areas such as SEND, early reading, and emotional wellbeing—key priorities for inclusive education. Their award-winning status, OFSTED “Good” rating, and experience working with multi-academy trusts make them a trusted partner. Additionally, LMP supports schools in maximising their apprenticeship levy, enabling cost-effective staff development through blended learning and personalised tutor support.
Running an apprenticeship programme at Leesbrook brings significant benefits to both staff and the wider school community. It enables the school to invest in the professional development of new and existing employees through structured, job-relevant training that enhances skills in key areas such as SEND and classroom support. Apprenticeships also support staff retention and progression by offering clear career pathways, which helps build a more stable and skilled workforce.
Our experience working with the LMP Education team has been very positive. They have been consistently approachable and easy to contact, which has made communication smooth and efficient. We’ve had regular meetings to review progress and plan next steps, and their willingness to attend face-to-face meetings in school has helped build a strong working relationship. The support provided has been proactive and responsive, ensuring that both staff and learners feel well-guided throughout the apprenticeship journey.”
Melissa Ramsey is the Phonics Lead at the school has been developing her skills through LMP’s Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant SEND Pathway programme. Here is her story:
“I wanted to progress in my career and gain further knowledge, however having a young family meant I could not afford to go to university and be out of work. Having this apprenticeship programme is perfect for me as it means I can learn on the job and have help available from my colleagues whilst also gaining a wage.
Having real on the job experience I feel is more beneficial than sitting learning Soley in a classroom environment, I feel like you can learn as you go along as you are living the experience rather than reading about it. A main benefit for me is also that I am being paid for learning which is an amazing feeling especially having children to care for at home.
My school have been amazing in supporting me, Andrea, my head teacher, has always been 100% supportive and offered anything I have needed. Second is our school’s Assistant principal and SENCO Rebecca O’Neill, Rebecca took me under her wing from the first day of me working as an LSA in her class. Rebecca always told me I was destined to go far and with her support I was put forward for a promotion and I got it, whenever I have needed any help finding anything for my coursework Rebecca has always shown me where I can find it. Finally, my tutor Sue has been incredibly supportive. Having a family of young children means that I have had several illnesses and family emergencies, Sue has not only supported me with my studies but also with what is going on in my personal life. Sue checks in on me and will always ask about my family I end up leaving her meetings feeling like I have got everything worrying me off my chest.
Since starting this apprenticeship, I also received a promotion from LSA to Phonics Lead, meaning I have my own classroom and run phonics interventions every day in school. My classroom is set up to be an enabling learning environment and includes positive affirmation posters, one of my main displays is Carol Dweck’s growth mindset. From my studies I had learnt that having these things in my room helps my students to really feel valued and safe. My room includes things such as no harsh lighting, a calming area for children who may be dysregulated. In my studies I have also been learning how a student can be affected greatly by outside factors such as not having a breakfast. Since learning this my department have now decided to have food boxes where we always have things like breakfast bars and water available for students who may not have had anything to eat. I started my Phonics role in January, between January and July there were 28 students who with my help completed the phonics programme. There has also been progress seen with every phonics student who I have taught, and this can be seen through their assessments, which clearly shows that they have moved up in their modules. I have one student in mind particular also who managed to increase his reading age by 1 year during their time with me in phonics.
One of the most valuable skills I have learnt so far from this apprenticeship is being able to make clear links between the work I am reading about and the children I work with. This is so important because it has made me change the way I think every day when working with these children.
After completing the programme, my goal would be to move onto my teaching and become a qualified teacher in SEND or even a subject area.”
When discussing Melissa’s work Simara added: “Melissa has made a significant impact across our school, particularly in supporting pupils with additional needs. One standout example is her work with a student who has an EHCP and a diagnosed language development disorder. When Melissa began working with him, his reading age was considerably below his chronological age. Through her targeted phonics interventions, consistent support, and ability to create a nurturing learning environment, the student made remarkable progress in his reading and overall learning. Melissa’s dedication and skill have not only boosted this pupil’s confidence and attainment but have also positively influenced the wider inclusion team and the school’s approach to literacy support.”
If you’re interested in developing your SEND staff through apprenticeships, book a discovery call with the LMP team!
Contact
