Name: Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF)
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Curriculum

The Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning online course — formally the Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) — is a knowledge-based qualification for anyone working, or wishing to work, in a support staff role that directly supports the teaching and learning of pupils.

The qualification develops understanding across four key areas of working in a school setting:

communicating professionally with children, young people and adults;
understanding how schools function as organisations;
understanding child and young person development; and
understanding how to safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people.

This qualification can be taken by learners who are not yet employed in a school and want to build the underpinning knowledge needed to apply for a role, as well as by those already working in a school who are seeking to progress into a higher-level support position.

Qualification at a Glance

Ofqual-Regulated Level 3 Qualification, awarded by Focus Awards

Qualification Number: 601/6103/6

12 Credits, achieved through 4 mandatory units

80 Guided Learning Hours (GLH)

120 Total Qualification Time (TQT)

Internally assessed through a portfolio of evidence — no written examinations

Study flexibly online, at your own pace

Suitable for those not yet working in a school, as well as current support staff seeking a higher-level role

Progression possible to Level 3 Certificate and Level 3 Diploma routes in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools

Qualification

What Will You Learn?

Upon completion of this qualification, learners will be able to:

Understand how to communicate and maintain professional relationships with children, young people and adults in a school setting

Understand how schools operate as organisations, including their structure, policies and wider context

Understand the pattern and stages of child and young person development

Understand how to safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people, including relevant policies and procedures

Method of Assessment

Portfolio-Based Assessment

The Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) is internally assessed. It is portfolio-based rather than based on a single final exam. There are no written examinations. Learners must build a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates they have met all of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for each unit.

Examples of Assessment Evidence

Assessor Observation

Witness Testimony

Learner Product

Worksheets

Assignments, Projects & Reports

Record of Oral and Written Questioning

Learner and Peer Reports

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), where applicable

Assessment evidence: The type of evidence required may vary depending on the unit and assessment requirements. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be considered where applicable.

Certification

Focus Awards Level 3 Qualification

On successful completion of all four mandatory units and portfolio evidence, learners are awarded the Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) — a nationally recognised, Ofqual-regulated qualification.

Certificate Issuance: Certificates are issued by Focus Awards once all assessment requirements have been verified and the qualification has been confirmed as achieved.

What Does the Curriculum Cover?

To achieve this qualification, learners must complete all four mandatory units, totalling 12 credits.

Communication and Professional Relationships with Children, Young People and Adults

F/601/3327

This unit covers how to communicate effectively and maintain professional relationships with children, young people and adults within a school environment.

Schools as Organisations

A/601/3326

This unit builds understanding of how schools are structured and organised, including their policies, procedures and the wider educational context in which they operate.

Understand Child and Young Person Development

L/601/1693

This unit covers the expected pattern of development for children and young people, and how to recognise and respond to variations from that pattern.

Understand How to Safeguard the Wellbeing of Children and Young People

Y/601/1695

This unit covers safeguarding legislation, policies and procedures, and how to respond appropriately to concerns about a child's welfare.

Qualification Summary: Together, these four mandatory units total 12 credits and 80 Guided Learning Hours, meeting the full requirement for this qualification.

Career Path

This qualification supports entry into, or progression within, a range of school and education support roles, including:

Teaching Assistant

£19k–£26k / year

Learning Support Assistant

£19k–£26k / year

Classroom Assistant

£19k–£25k / year

SEN Support Assistant

£22k–£28k / year

Nursery Assistant

£18k–£24k / year

Cover Supervisor

£21k–£31k / year

Please note: Salary figures are indicative and may vary depending on location, employer, experience, responsibilities and additional qualifications.

Further Progression

Learners who complete this qualification may choose to continue their professional development by progressing onto:

Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF)

Further Study

Level 3 Certificate in Cover Supervision of Pupils in Schools (RQF)

Specialist Route

Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF)

Advanced Study

Intermediate/Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools

Apprenticeship Route

Entry Requirements

There are no specific formal entry requirements set by Focus Awards. Learners should typically be aged 16 or over to undertake this qualification.

No Specific Formal Entry Requirements

Is This Qualification Right for You?

Choose this qualification if you are:

Considering a career as a teaching assistant or classroom support worker.

Already working in a school and want a recognised qualification to support progression.

Looking to build foundational knowledge in child development and safeguarding.

Interested in working in nurseries, primary or secondary schools, or SEN settings.

Course Curriculum

The detailed curriculum outline of our Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Course is as follows:

Induction Form

Induction Form

Registration Entry Form

Registration Entry Form

Unit 1: Communication and Professional Relationships With Children, Young People and Adults

Support Materials

1. The Principles of Developing Positive Relationships With Children, Young People and Adults

2. Communication with Children, Young People and Adults

3. Legislation, Policies and Procedures for Confidentiality and Sharing Information, Including Data Protection

Assignment

Unit 01 Assignment

Unit 2: Schools as Organisations

Support Materials

1. The Structure of Education from Early Years to Post-compulsory Education

2. How Schools are Organised in Terms of Roles and Responsibilities

3. Ethos, Mission, Aims and Values of a School

4. Laws and Codes of Practice Affecting Work in Schools

5. The Purpose of School Policies and Procedures

6. The Wider Context in Which Schools Operate

Assignment

Unit 02 Assignment

Unit 3: Understand Child and Young Person Development

Support Materials

1. Different Aspects of Development From Birth to Adulthood

2. Personal and External Factors That Affect Child Development

3. Theories of Development and Frameworks to Support Development

4. Monitoring and Assessing Children

5. Barriers to the Development of Children and Young People

6. Early Intervention

7. Possible Effects of Different Transitions on Children and Young People’s Development

Assignment

Unit 03 Assignment

Unit 4: Understand How to Safeguard the Wellbeing of Children and Young People

Support Materials

1. Current Legislation and National Guidelines for Safeguarding

2. Safeguard Children and Young People

3. Inquiries and Serious Case Reviews and Sharing the Findings to Inform Practice

4. Data Protection, Information Handling and Sharing

5. A Person-Centred Culture

6. Partnership Working and Safeguarding

7. Roles and Responsibilities of Different Organisations

8. Policies and Procedures to Protect Children and Young People and Adults Who Work With Them

9. How to Report Concerns about Practice in the Work Setting

10. Child Abuse Indicators

11. Responding to Children and Young People’s Disclosures of Abuse

12. Concept of bullying

13. Develop Self-esteem and Self-confidence

14. Resilience

15. Strategies to Help Children Protect Themselves

16. Empowerment

17. Importance of E-safety

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to some of the most common questions about the Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.

What does a Level 3 TA get paid?

Salaries vary by region and employer, but a Level 3 qualified teaching assistant in the UK typically earns in the range of £18,000–£22,000 per year, with higher-level or SEN-specific roles often paying more.

What is a Level 3 award equivalent to?

RQF Level 3 is broadly equivalent to A-Level standard, making this a solid entry-level qualification for school-based support roles.

What qualifications do I need to be a teaching assistant Level 3?

A Level 3 qualification such as this Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools, or an equivalent Level 3 childcare or education qualification, is typically required, alongside relevant experience or a DBS check.

What jobs can I do with Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning?

This qualification supports roles such as teaching assistant, learning support assistant, classroom assistant, and SEN support assistant within primary, secondary or specialist school settings.

Can I work in a nursery with a Level 3 TA qualification?

Yes — while this qualification is school-focused, the child development and safeguarding knowledge it provides is directly transferable to nursery and early years settings, often alongside a relevant early years qualification.

Can a TA become a teacher without a degree?

Yes — a teaching assistant can progress into a teaching or training role via qualifications such as the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training, without needing a degree, though school-based QTS routes typically still require one.

Course Curriculum

Induction Form
Registration Entry Form
Unit 1: Communication and Professional Relationships With Children, Young People and Adults
Support Materials
	1. The Principles of Developing Positive Relationships With Children, Young People and Adults	00:00:00
	2. Communication with Children, Young People and Adults	00:00:00
	3. Legislation, Policies and Procedures for Confidentiality and Sharing Information, Including Data Protection	00:00:00
Assignment
	Unit 01 Assignment	00:00:00
Unit 2: Schools as Organisations
Support Materials
	1. The Structure of Education from Early Years to Post-compulsory Education	00:00:00
	2. How Schools are Organised in Terms of Roles and Responsibilities	00:00:00
	3. Ethos, Mission, Aims and Values of a School	00:00:00
	4. Laws and Codes of Practice Affecting Work in Schools	00:00:00
	5. The Purpose of School Policies and Procedures	00:00:00
	6. The Wider Context in Which Schools Operate	00:00:00
Assignment
	Unit 02 Assignment	00:00:00
Unit 3: Understand Child and Young Person Development
Support Materials
	1. Different Aspects of Development From Birth to Adulthood	00:00:00
	2. Personal and External Factors That Affect Child Development	00:00:00
	3. Theories of Development and Frameworks to Support Development	00:00:00
	4. Monitoring and Assessing Children	00:00:00
	5. Barriers to the Development of Children and Young People	00:00:00
	6. Early Intervention	00:00:00
	7. Possible Effects of Different Transitions on Children and Young People’s Development	00:00:00
Assignment
	Unit 03 Assignment	00:00:00
Unit 4: Understand How to Safeguard the Wellbeing of Children and Young People
Support Materials
	1. Current Legislation and National Guidelines for Safeguarding	00:00:00
	2. Safeguard Children and Young People	00:00:00
	3. Inquiries and Serious Case Reviews and Sharing the Findings to Inform Practice	00:00:00
	4. Data Protection, Information Handling and Sharing	00:00:00
	5. A Person-Centred Culture	00:00:00
	6. Partnership Working and Safeguarding	00:00:00
	7. Roles and Responsibilities of Different Organisations	00:00:00
	8. Policies and Procedures to Protect Children and Young People and Adults Who Work With Them	00:00:00
	9. How to Report Concerns about Practice in the Work Setting	00:00:00
	10. Child Abuse Indicators	00:00:00
	11. Responding to Children and Young People’s Disclosures of Abuse	00:00:00
	12. Concept of bullying	00:00:00
	13. Develop Self-esteem and Self-confidence	00:00:00
	14. Resilience	00:00:00
	15. Strategies to Help Children Protect Themselves	00:00:00
	16. Empowerment	00:00:00
	17. Importance of E-safety	00:00:00
Assignment
	Unit 04 Assignment	00:00:00
Submit Your Assignments - Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools