Specialst Teaching and Learning Support - Foundation Degree (Progression from Certificate HE)*
Summary
The Foundation Degree (FdA) in Specialist Teaching and Learning Support is a two-year, full-time programme designed to prepare you for a rewarding career supporting young children and their families within education settings. This course combines academic study with real-world practice to help you develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in social care and education settings. This programme has been designed in response to the growing demand for highly skilled education professionals who can lead practice, support children’s development, and work effectively with families and other professionals. Over two years, you will gain a strong foundation in child development, safeguarding, and education, before progressing to more advanced study in leadership, SEND and inclusive practice, and learning support. The course is aligned to the Specialist Teaching Assistant standard, ensuring that what you learn reflects current industry expectations and prepares you to step confidently into the workplace. You will attend classes one day per week, supported by independent study and work-based learning, allowing you to balance your studies with work or other commitments.
Entry Requirements
For a successful offer onto this programme all students will require a GCSE English at grade 4 or C or functional skills at level 2.
n addition, applicants ideally should have one of the following: Certificate of Higher Education Children, Families and Education L4 will enable progression to the L5 FdA Specialist Teaching and Learning Support.
BTEC Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care or related subject (Merit, Merit, Merit) Diploma in Children and Young People's Workforce (Merit)
T Level Education and Early Years (Merit) A levels C, C, C (96 UCAS points)
Access to HE Social Science (Merit)
You may also be considered if you are a non-standard student, who has not followed the traditional routes to higher education. If you can demonstrate relevant work/ life skills or knowledge, you will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
4 hours equivalent, term time paid or voluntary work or employment totalling 128 hours in a relevant area is also recommended.
Initial advice and guidance will include a professional discussion with the delivery team and will include a focus on job progression and career aspirations, to ensure that the enrolment is correct for individual student circumstances.
Next course dates
| Start date | Location | Duration / Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
11 Sep 2028
|
University Centre
|
1 Year
/
£0
|
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
This programme prepares you for a wide range of roles in social care and education sectors. Potential career opportunities include: Early Intervention Practitioner Education Co-ordinator Pastoral Support SEND Support Mental Health support in schools Teaching Assistant or Higher-Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) There is strong demand for skilled professionals in this field, with employers seeking individuals who can lead teams, support quality improvement, and work across multi-agency environments.
After successfully completing the FdA, you can progress to the BA (Hons) Children, Families and Education (Level 6 Top-up). This creates a clear pathway from entry to degree-level study and beyond.
Employment Opportunities
This programme prepares you for a wide range of roles in social care and education sectors. Potential career opportunities include: Early Intervention Practitioner Education Co-ordinator Pastoral Support SEND Support Mental Health support in schools Teaching Assistant or Higher-Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) There is strong demand for skilled professionals in this field, with employers seeking individuals who can lead teams, support quality improvement, and work across multi-agency environments.
After successfully completing the FdA, you can progress to the BA (Hons) Children, Families and Education (Level 6 Top-up). This creates a clear pathway from entry to degree-level study and beyond.
Key information
Extra costs and equipment
No special equipment is required as a full range of IT is available within the Learning Resource Centre for enrolled students. You may wish to purchase a computer (desktop or laptop) as all assessments are submitted electronically and the relevant software can be provided by the College free of charge.
What will I learn?
At Level 5, the Specialist Teaching Assistant (SEND) programme builds on this integrated foundation, introducing six modules that reflect the core responsibilities of advanced practitioners working with learners with special educational needs and disabilities and includes the following:
Child development and family life
Safeguarding across the lifespan
Legislation policy and inclusion
Professional partnerships and communication
Academic and reflective practice
Leadership and Management
Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers
It is expected that you undertake a minimum of 4 hours per week, during term time, in either paid or voluntary practice within a relevant sector setting. This regular engagement in a professional setting will support your understanding of key concepts, allow you to apply theory to practice, and help you develop the skills needed for your future career.
Working with education industry specialists, guest speakers are a further feature of teaching and learning and contribute to your overall academic development.
How will I learn?
To enable your transition to your new programme of study, you will be encouraged to engage with a wide range of support, for example pre-course support including Flying Start and HELMs provision to build your confidence. Wider college support is available through the Partners for Success framework which includes the Careers Team, the Finance Support Team and the Digital and Library Resource Centre. In addition to this, the programme team provide an open workshop one evening per week where you can seek additional support and guidance with your modules and assessments throughout the duration of the course.
Through individual progress meetings you will be able to discuss and engage in career development activities to provide opportunities for you to focus on applying your learning and experiences in relation to your future career intentions, as well as discuss opportunities to develop your academic skills through specific actions. In addition, content and resources for scheduled career development sessions will be provided by B&FC’s established and experienced Careers Team.
A range of student-centred teaching and learning approaches will support your academic development including lectures, which will be scaffolded and deliver the indicative content of the session, supported by teacher led and student centred activities to apply theory to practice. Directed seminars will allow you to engage and develop your confidence, with guest speakers and industry representation from the sector, allowing you to consolidate and develop your learning.
Learning Methods
| Learning Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled | 0 | 288 | 0 |
| Independent | 0 | 882 | 0 |
| Placement | 0 | 30 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 1200 | 0 |
How will I be assessed?
You will study the following modules and associated assessments:
Wellbeing and interventions - 30% presentation and 70% report
Practitioner Skill Development - 100% portfolio
Work Based Learning - 20% practical and 80% report
Leading and Managing Teams - 40% practical and 60% essay
Teaching Learning and Assessment - 50% essay and 50% report
SEND and Inclusive Practice - 30% presentation and 70% plan
| Assessment Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 0% | 80% | 0% |
| Exam | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Practical | 0% | 0% | 0% |