Summary
Are you currently working or volunteering in a school or college and looking to formalise your experience with a recognised qualification? The Working in Schools and Colleges pathway at Blackpool and The Fylde College is designed specifically for individuals already active in educational settings who want to deepen their knowledge, enhance their skills, and progress in their careers.
This pathway offers a structured progression route through nationally recognised qualifications that focus on real-world application. Whether you're supporting learners in the classroom, working with children with additional needs, or aiming for a leadership role, each course is tailored to help you grow professionally while continuing your current role. With flexible delivery, expert tutors, and strong employer engagement, this pathway empowers you to advance your career in education.
This pathway is designed as a progressive programme made up of several courses. You will advance through each of the following qualifications that build upon each other to develop your knowledge, skills and experience, with each level of learning preparing you for the next.
- Support Work in Schools and Colleges (Teaching Assistant Pathway) - Level 2
- Teaching and Learning Support (Teaching Assistant Pathway) - Level 3
- L4 CERT ADVANCED PRACTITIONER IN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
Looking to build a career in Teaching, Early Years or Health & Social Care?
Entry Requirements
Technical Entry Requirements:
- Age: 19 years or over (19+)
Additional Non-Qualification-Based Entry Requirements:
- DBS Check: While a DBS check is not required for enrolment on the course. However, it is essential for those seeking employment working with children and young people. This check is typically arranged through your employer or placement provider.
- English and Maths: A basic level of proficiency in English and Maths is recommended to support your learning and understanding of the course content.
These entry requirements ensure that students are adequately prepared for the course and any subsequent employment opportunities in settings involving children and young people.
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
The Working in Schools and Colleges pathway supports a wide range of career opportunities within the education sector. It is ideal for those already working or volunteering in schools, colleges, or early years settings who want to build on their experience and move into more specialised or senior roles.
Depending on your current level and chosen course, you could pursue or progress in roles such as: Teaching Assistant, Special Educational Needs (SEN) Assistant, Pastoral Support Worker or Inclusion Coordinator.
These roles are in demand across primary and secondary schools, specialist education settings, and further education colleges.
Alternatively, having successfully completed this pathway you could consider taking your studies to the next level and pursue a higher qualification enabling you to apply for more senior positions or advanced your career within your existing organisation.
Next steps at B&FC
This pathway is designed to support continuous professional development. Upon successful completion of each stage, learners can progress to the next level of study at B&FC:
- Teaching and Learning Support (Teaching Assistant Pathway) - Level 3
- Advanced Practitioner in Schools and Colleges (SEND Pathway) - Level 4
- Teaching and Learning Support - Foundation Degree
These qualifications prepare you for more advanced responsibilities and leadership roles within the education sector and can support progression into teacher training or specialist education roles.
Employment Opportunities
Learners completing this pathway will be well-positioned to apply for a variety of roles, depending on their level of qualification and experience. These include:
Classroom Support Assistant | SEN Support Assistant | School Administrative Assistant | Learning Mentor | Pastoral Support Assistant | HLTA | Behaviour Support Worker | After-School Club or Playgroup Assistant
These roles are typically found in mainstream and specialist schools, colleges, and early years settings, offering opportunities to make a meaningful impact on learners’ development and wellbeing.
Key information
Fees and funding
Whilst many adult courses are fully funded for 19+ learners, funding can depend both on the course itself and/or the learner's personal circumstances, including their current income levels and previous qualifications.
To find out if you might be eligible for full or partial funding or for an Advanced Learner Loan (Level 3 qualifications only), please visit our Financial Support section. You will also find more information here about additional financial support you might be entitled to such as help to cover childcare and equipment costs.
Extra costs and equipment
There are no additional costs associated with this course.
What will I learn?
The pathway includes a range of qualifications, each with its own set of modules designed to build your knowledge and practical skills. Depending on your course level, you will study topics such as:
- Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Child and Young Person Development
- Supporting Learning Activities
- Health and Safety in Educational Settings
- Communication and Professional Relationships
- Supporting Learners with SEND
- Behaviour Management
- Assessment for Learning
- Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Supporting Transitions and Extra-Curricular Activities
Each unit is designed to be directly applicable to your current role, helping you to improve the quality of support you provide and prepare for future responsibilities.
Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers
As this pathway is designed for those already working or volunteering in the education sector, a relevant placement or employment in a school or college setting is required for some qualifications. This ensures that learners can apply their learning in real-time and meet the practical assessment requirements of the programme.
At Blackpool and The Fylde College, we enrich your learning experience through a range of guest speakers and employer engagement events. These sessions feature professionals from across the education sector, including representatives from local schools, support services, and SEND specialists. Guest lectures and live discussions offer valuable insights into classroom practice, current challenges in education, and emerging trends. They also provide opportunities to ask questions, build professional connections, and explore the diverse career paths available within the sector.
How will I learn?
Our courses are delivered through a blended learning approach, combining the flexibility of digital resources with the benefits of face-to-face teaching. While some elements of the course may be accessed online, this is not an online-only course you will be required to attend in-person sessions at scheduled times throughout the programme.
The programme primarily focuses on theoretical knowledge but also includes practical hands-on elements to enhance learning and application. This flexible approach ensures that learners can engage with the material in a way that best suits their needs.
Interactive Lectures: Engaging lectures that encourage learner participation and discussion.
Group Work: Collaborative projects and activities that foster teamwork and communication skills.
Practical Workshops: Hands-on sessions where learners can apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios.
Online Resources: Access to a wealth of online materials, including videos, articles, and interactive modules.
This flexible yet structured approach ensures that you receive the guidance, peer interaction, and practical experience needed to succeed in the sector.
Expert tutors
All tutors involved in the delivery of adult courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.
Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich our students’ learning experience and enable them them to get the inside track on what working in the industry is really like.
How will I be assessed?
Students will be assessed through a combination of methods designed to evaluate their understanding and practical application of the course material. The assessment process is structured to ensure that students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills effectively.
Assessment Methods:
- Portfolio of Evidence: Throughout the course, students will compile a portfolio of evidence that showcases their learning and achievements. This portfolio will include various forms of assessment such as written assignments, case studies, and practical tasks.
- Written Assignments: These assignments will test students' understanding of theoretical concepts and their ability to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios.
- Case Studies: Students will analyse specific situations, demonstrating their problem-solving skills and ability to provide appropriate support.
Grading:
- The course is assessed on a pass or fail basis. Students must meet all the assessment criteria for each unit to achieve a pass.
- The portfolio of evidence is a crucial component of the assessment process, as it provides comprehensive proof of the student's competence and understanding.