Developing existing staff through apprenticeships has brought significant benefits to Bexhill Academy.
Greater flexibility across the school, additional capacity and increased classroom expertise are just three of the changes that are being felt by the teachers there every day. We sat down with Early Years Foundation Stage Assistant Headteacher Debbie Lewis to learn more.
Debbie is the mentor for two members of the school’s support team, apprentices Claire Creswell and Steph Cairns. Both are excelling on the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship through Learning and Skills.
While the programme is supporting their professional development, Debbie Lewis says the biggest impact has been on the school itself.
Having skilled staff who can confidently take on additional responsibilities and work across different year groups when needed has been a big help:
"We've now got two staff members who are able to cover classes when we need them to," says Debbie.
"Claire had always worked in Reception before starting the apprenticeship. Now she's covering in Year 1 and has also worked in Years 2 and 3 because she's developed a broader knowledge and confidence."
As aspiring Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs), both apprentices are now supporting lesson delivery, covering classes during teachers' planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time, and taking on responsibilities they may not previously have experienced.
For the school, this has created additional capacity while ensuring pupils continue to receive high-quality support.
And it’s not only the pupils who are benefiting from that support – colleagues across the school are feeling the impact too.
Steph has taken a lead role in implementing colourful semantics, an approach that supports children's language development and sentence construction.
"She's developed her knowledge and then shared that with other staff across the school," Debbie explains. "That's been really beneficial because it can now be used in other classrooms to support children with their writing."
Meanwhile, Claire's learning has strengthened links between Reception and Key Stage 1.
"She's been able to take her understanding of children at the end of Reception into Year 1, while also bringing that Year 1 perspective back into Reception so we can better prepare children for the transition."
"We really wanted to support staff development because there isn't always a clear progression pathway for teaching assistants," explains Debbie.
Since starting the programme, both apprentices have greater trust in their own abilities, and are learning more from their everyday experiences.
"I think the confidence of both Claire and Steph has increased massively. Having to reflect on their practice and explore different aspects of teaching and learning has really helped them develop professionally."
As mentor for both apprentices, Debbie says the process has been straightforward and rewarding.
"It's been amazing to be involved in their journey and see the difference it's made. There isn't a huge amount of paperwork or anything daunting, either, so that’s a bonus!"
She also praises the support provided by Learning and Skills tutor Zoe, highlighting the value of regular review meetings involving the apprentice, mentor and tutor.
"You can tell Zoe really knows each apprentice and is invested in their journey. Those meetings help everyone understand what's happening both in school and within the apprenticeship."
Looking back on the programme so far, Debbie believes the apprenticeship has delivered real value for the school.
"It's benefited the school because we've got two members of staff who have become even better at what they do and are now sharing that expertise with others."
For schools considering the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship, her recommendation is clear:
"The investment in terms of time has been absolutely worth it for what they bring back into school. I would absolutely recommend it to other schools."
Could your school benefit from investing in existing staff, like Bexhill Academy has? Our Business Development Officer, Olly, is on hand to talk you through our Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship.
Book a short call with Olly today.