Qualification Structure

The Focus Awards Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) is an Ofqual-regulated qualification accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 320 hours, 185 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) and a credit value of 32.

Assessment for the Focus Awards Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) is assignment-based. Learner work is assessed in accordance with the qualification’s assessment and quality assurance requirements to ensure that learners demonstrate the required knowledge, understanding and application of principles relevant to supporting teaching and learning in schools.

To achieve the qualification, learners must successfully complete all 11 mandatory units.

Core Study Units

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

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand the principles of developing positive relationships with children, young people and adults.
• Understand how to communicate with children, young people and adults.
• Understand legislation, policies and procedures for confidentiality and sharing information, including data protection.

Unit 2: Schools as Organisations

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Know the structure of education from early years to post-compulsory education.
• Understand how schools are organised in terms of roles and responsibilities.
• Understand school ethos, mission, aims and values.
• Know about the legislation affecting schools.
• Understand the purpose of school policies and procedures.
• Understand the wider context in which schools operate.

Unit 3: Support Learning Activities

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Be able to contribute to planning learning activities.
• Be able to prepare for learning activities.
• Be able to support learning activities.
• Be able to observe and report on learner participation and progress.
• Be able to contribute to the evaluation of learning activities.
• Be able to evaluate own practice in relation to supporting literacy, numeracy and ICT.

Unit 4: Promote Children and Young People’s Positive Behaviour

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand policies and procedures for promoting children and young people’s positive behaviour.
• Be able to promote positive behaviour.
• Be able to manage inappropriate behaviour.
• Be able to respond to challenging behaviour.
• Be able to contribute to reviews of behaviour and behaviour policies.

Unit 5: Develop Professional Relationships with Children, Young People and Adults

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Be able to develop professional relationships with children and young people.
• Be able to communicate with children and young people.
• Be able to develop professional relationships with adults.
• Be able to support children and young people in developing relationships.
• Be able to comply with policies and procedures for confidentiality, sharing information and data protection.

Unit 6: Promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Work with Children and Young People

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Be able to promote equality and diversity in work with children and young people.
• Understand the impact of prejudice and discrimination on children and young people.
• Be able to support inclusion and inclusive practices in work with children and young people.

Unit 7: Support Assessment for Learning

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand the purpose and characteristics of assessment for learning.
• Be able to use assessment strategies to promote learning.
• Be able to support learners in reviewing their learning strategies and achievements.
• Be able to contribute to reviewing assessment for learning.

Unit 8: Engage in Personal Development in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand what is required for competence in own work role.
• Be able to reflect on practice.
• Be able to evaluate own performance.
• Be able to agree a personal development plan.
• Be able to use learning opportunities and reflective practice to contribute to personal development.

Unit 9: Support Children and Young People’s Health and Safety

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand how to plan and provide environments and services that support children and young people’s health and safety.
• Be able to recognise and manage risks to health, safety and security in a work setting or off-site visits.
• Understand how to support children and young people to assess and manage risk for themselves.
• Understand appropriate responses to accidents, incidents, emergencies and illness in work settings and off-site visits.

Unit 10: Understand Child and Young Person Development

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand the expected pattern of development for children and young people from birth to 19 years.
• Understand the factors that influence children and young people’s development and how these affect practice.
• Understand how to monitor children and young people’s development and interventions that should take place if this is not following the expected pattern.
• Understand the importance of early intervention to support the speech, language and communication needs of children and young people.
• Understand the potential effects of transitions on children and young people’s development.

Unit 11: Understand How to Safeguard the Wellbeing of Children and Young People

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand the main legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding children and young people.
• Understand the importance of working in partnership with other organisations to safeguard children and young people.
• Understand the importance of ensuring children and young people’s safety and protection in the work setting.
• Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a child or young person has been abused, harmed or bullied.
• Understand how to work with children and young people to support their safety and wellbeing.
• Understand the importance of e-safety for children and young people.

Who Is This Qualification For?

The Focus Awards Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) is designed for learners who want to develop the knowledge and understanding required to directly support teaching, learning and pupil development in school environments. Focus Awards states that the qualification is aimed at members of the school workforce who directly support the teaching and learning of pupils.

This qualification is particularly suitable for:

• Teaching assistants and learning support assistants: Learners already supporting classroom activities who want to strengthen their professional knowledge and understanding.
• School support staff: Individuals involved in supporting pupils, learning activities, behaviour, safeguarding and inclusive educational practice.
• Aspiring teaching assistants: Learners seeking a structured qualification for developing knowledge relevant to school-based learning support roles.
• Learners working with children and young people: Individuals who need a stronger understanding of child development, wellbeing, communication and educational support.
• School workforce members developing professional practice: Existing staff who want to formalise and broaden their understanding of assessment for learning, positive relationships, equality, diversity and safeguarding.
• International learners: Learners outside the UK seeking structured knowledge in supporting teaching and learning in school settings, subject to the qualification's geographical availability and applicable local requirements.

The qualification covers important areas including supporting learning activities, assessment for learning, child and young person development, positive behaviour, health and safety, equality and inclusion, professional relationships, and safeguarding.

Career Opportunities

The Focus Awards Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) provides learners with a structured foundation in the knowledge and skills required to support teaching, learning and pupil development in school settings. The qualification develops understanding of child and young person development, communication, professional relationships, positive behaviour, assessment for learning, equality and inclusion, health and safety, safeguarding, and effective support for learning activities. It is suitable for learners in the UK and internationally seeking to develop their knowledge of school-based support and progress towards relevant education, teaching support and child-focused professional pathways.

Future Progression

The Focus Awards Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) provides learners with a structured foundation for developing knowledge relevant to teaching, learning and pupil support in school environments. The qualification covers child and young person development, communication, professional relationships, positive behaviour, assessment for learning, equality and inclusion, health and safety, safeguarding, and supporting learning activities.

Academically, learners may progress to relevant Level 4 or higher qualifications in education, teaching, learning support, childcare, or related disciplines, subject to the entry requirements of the receiving institution. Progression opportunities may vary depending on the learner’s existing qualifications, experience and intended professional pathway.

Professionally, the qualification can support progression towards roles such as Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Classroom Assistant, Pupil Support Assistant, Behaviour Support Assistant, Pastoral Support Assistant, Learning Mentor, Educational Support Worker, and School Support Worker, depending on employer requirements, practical experience and local regulations. The knowledge developed through the qualification provides a foundation for supporting learning activities, promoting positive behaviour, contributing to inclusive practice, understanding child development, maintaining safeguarding awareness, and working effectively with children, young people and education professionals.