The four main awarding bodies that cover QCF courses for teaching assistants are CACHE, City & Guilds, EDEXCEL and NCFE. The awarding bodies are approved to operate within QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework – formerly NVQ) and have developed the units to create each qualification. The qualifications are then implemented by learning centres online and participating colleges. The structure of the units are very similar for each awarding body and all are well recognised within the education environment.
Supporting material from each awarding body (links are direct to the awarding body’s downloadable file) can be found below, which is mainly directed at learning centres. You can use these documents to decide whether a course is ideal for you, based on your circumstances.
It is advisable to contact the learning centre directly about the content of each their courses, as the notes below are used as a guideline.
Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools
Gives the student a thorough understanding of those working in a school environment.
CACHE
Key Facts – PDF giving a summary of the qualification along with units and credit information
Specification – PDF of detailed information regarding the qualification with units, examples of logs and assessment criteria.
NCFE
Specification – general information about QCF qualifications and how units are assessed. Section 3 details structure and content of each unit (PDF)
Candidate learning log – excellent background information on keeping logs as well as the actual log information required (PDF)
City & Guilds
Structure – basic unit information (PDF)
EDEXCEL
Specification – combination rules, assessment, detailed information about units and unit worksheets.
Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
Gives a thorough understanding of those working in a school environment plus competency based units involving a work placement.
CACHE
Key Facts – basic information about units and credits included (PDF)
Specification – details all units, logs and assessment criteria (PDF)
Optional units – details all optional units along with logs and assessment criteria (PDF)
NCFE
Structure – basic structure with units and credits (PDF)
Evidence Tracking Sheet – for mandatory units (Word Document)
Blank optional/additional units tracking sheet – blank worksheet, but with relevant headers (Word Document)
Support Package – a number of supporting documents with a PowerPoint presentation on supporting positive behaviour (ZIP)
City & Guilds
Structure – basic information about units and credits (PDF)
EDEXCEL
Specification – combination rules, assessment, detailed information about units and unit worksheets.
Level 2 Certificate in Supporting the Wider Curriculum in Schools
Designed for those working as midday assistants or supervisors whose roles involve other activities within the school, like after school clubs or outings.
CACHE
Key facts – summary of qualification, but has now expired (as of Oct 2013) (PDF)
NCFE
Guidance notes – summary of units, QCF qualifications and credits (PDF)
Evidence tracking sheet – gives examples and pages to print and fill out (Word Document)
Qualification specification – very basic summary of qualification (PDF)
City & Guilds
Summary – summary of units and credits (PDF)
Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching & Learning in School
CACHE
Qualification Specification – detailed information about the qualification set up, units and credits. Also includes log sheets. (PDF)
Key facts – basic summary of units and credits (PDF)
NCFE
Qualification specification – detailed notes on qualification. Section 3 details the structure and content (PDF)
Candidate learning log – examples of logs sheets for units (Word Document)
City & Guilds
Summary – basic summary of qualification (PDF)
EDEXCEL
Specification document – detailed explanation of qualification, units and credits. Also includes log sheets. (PDF)
Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
NCFE
Evidence tracking sheet – with examples (Word Document)
Qualification specification – basic summary about the qualification
City & Guilds
Summary – basic summary of qualification (PDF)
EDEXCEL
Specification document – detailed explanation of qualification, units and credits. Also includes log sheets. (PDF)
Level 3 Diploma in Specialist support for teaching and learning in schools
CACHE
Key facts – basic summary of units and credits (PDF)
Qualification specification – detailed notes of the diploma plus unit evidence sheets (PDF)
Optional units – overview and unit evidence sheets (PDF)
NCFE
Qualification specification – overview of units (PDF)
Blank evidence tracking sheet – worksheet with headers (Word Document)
Evidence tracking sheet – examples and sheets to fill out (Word Document)
City & Guilds
Summary – introduction to units and credits (PDF)