Level 5 Learning and Skills Teacher Apprenticeship

The "Learning and Skills Teacher" course is designed to prepare individuals for a career in teaching and training within the post-compulsory education sector. This sector includes further education (FE) colleges, adult and community learning settings, work-based learning environments, and other educational institutions that provide vocational, technical, and professional education.

Choosing the "Learning and Skills Teacher" course can be highly beneficial for various reasons, depending on your career aspirations, interests, and personal goals.

The level 5 learning and skills teacher apprenticeship will set a new benchmark for all other initial teacher education qualifications. This follows the re-shaping of the apprenticeship by employers through the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s revisions process.

There are nine areas of knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) that all FE teachers will be required to demonstrate. These include:

• Promoting a passion for learning and set high expectations of all students and support their personal and skills development
• Demonstrate, maintain and evidence excellent pedagogy, subject, curriculum and industry knowledge and practice
• Support students with their next steps for progression and learning by providing appropriate information, advice, and guidance

The level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE & Skills) is the qualification also included as part of the Learning and Skills Teacher apprenticeship.

The new apprenticeship offers employers across FE and skills a clear and comprehensive route to train teachers.

In the "Learning and Skills Teacher" course, you will acquire a comprehensive set of knowledge, skills and behaviours essential for teaching in the post-compulsory education sector. The curriculum typically covers the following key areas:

1. Pedagogical Knowledge

2. Curriculum Development

3. Assessment and Evaluation

4. Subject-Specific Expertise

5. Inclusion and Diversity

6. Use of Technology

7. Professional Skills

8. Practical Teaching Experience

9. Research Skills

By completing the "Learning and Skills Teacher" course, you will be well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to effectively teach and inspire learners in the post-compulsory education sector, ensuring that you can make a significant and positive impact on their educational journeys.

Throughout this course you will be assessed using a variety of methods including assignments, presentations, practical observations of teaching practice, small scale practitioner research, and specialist practitioner observations.

END POINT ASSESSMENT

The course is delivered in a blended format, with face-to-face sessions at the Warrington campus being held every week, although Hybrid options are available within the programme. Tutorials can be conducted face to face or online to support ease of accessibility. Observations must take place in the trainee teachers/trainers workplace setting.
Sessions are every week during term time, and there is an expected additional 1.5 hours a week of independent study through blended learning. In addition to this, you will be expected to conduct additional wider reading and research to support your assignments.

On completion of this qualification, progression routes could include foundation degrees and BA honours degrees in subjects related to education. Teaching must be placed within the post-16 education sector.

Those who achieve the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE & Skills) and are progressing to higher education accredited qualifications at Level 6 or above, can have their Level 5 credit recognised in line with the higher education institution’s arrangements for the recognition of prior learning.

This course could lead to employment within the FE sector.

You will be allocated a designated tutor to guide you through your apprenticeship. We have a team of staff dedicated to providing learning support if required, as well as a Welfare Team that is on hand to offer guidance, support and help when needed.

Click here for learning support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/learning-support

The college offers a range of flexible learning opportunities to students. Our tutors are highly experienced and skilled in their specialist professional sectors and enhance the courses they teach on with their excellent industry links. Regular work experience and further study is undertaken by the tutors to ensure their involvement in the industry remains updated.

Students who enrol on the course are supported to achieve their best and gain their qualification. The course is well structured and designed to meet your needs, enabling a balance to be achieved between the course workload and your normal daily commitments. The course is offered through hybrid increasing accessibility. To celebrate your success upon gaining the qualification, you will take part in a graduation ceremony, so get ready to wear your cap and gown!

You will need to be employed, and your employer must subscribe to the apprenticeship Levy.

You will typically have one of the following:

• A minimum of a level 3 qualification in a vocational subject (related to your chosen teaching specialism) (64 UCAS points) AND appropriate relevant work experience – mature students who have appropriate work experience in a related sector or role and/or have professional qualifications in a related industry are welcome to apply.
• A degree in your subject specialism (academic subjects)

AND

• A* to C grade and/or 9 to 4 in GCSE English (Language or Literature) or level 2 equivalent
• A* to C grade and/or 9 to 4 in GCSE maths (or level 2 equivalent)
• Non-native English speakers who have not undertaken their final two years of schooling in English, need to demonstrate capability in English at a standard equivalent to the levels identified below, before being recruited to the programme. The programme is both taught and assessed through the medium of English.

Students must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Able to demonstrate an ability to study at level 5
• Suitable level of digital competency to ensure they can meet the requirements of the qualification
• Access to 150 hours teaching practice over the full term of the course – this must be arranged by yourself and be in place prior to enrolment
• Access to additional 20 hours placement in a secondary setting to complete CPD
• Obtain a DBS Disclosure prior to enrolment
• You will also be required to provide a reference, such as from a previous course leader/teacher.

You will be required to present proof of qualifications in order to enrol. You will need to complete an initial assessment to determine if a level 5 qualification is appropriate and achievable.