NCFE CACHE Level 4 Certificate for the Advanced Practitioner in Schools and Colleges

This NCFE CACHE Level 4 Certificate for the Advanced Practitioner in Schools and Colleges qualification is the perfect course for anyone currently working in a teaching assistant or support role in a school or college looking to take the next step in their career. With this nationally recognised level 4 qualification, you will be able to progress to become a higher-level teaching assistant/advanced practitioner.

Your studies will embrace the wealth of experience, proven knowledge, and skills you have already gained in a teaching and learning environment and develop them futher. It will challenge youin both your daily practice and theoretical understanding. This course is the next step of learning for an established teaching assistant and it is the only level 4 qualification from NCFE CACHE. During your studies, you will build on your skills in leadership, mentoring, coaching, and reflection.

Once you have successfully completed your course, you will become a qualified higher level teaching assistant or advanced practitioner.

This qualification is supported by the following organisations:

• National Association for Primary Education NAPE
• The Schools, Students, and Teachers network (SSAT)
• The Teaching Assistant College

Course requirements

Course duration

Once enrolled, you have up to one year to complete your studies, during the is time you have full tutor support. The course will take approximately 205 hours to complete, but you can complete it in as much or as little time as required, allowing you to work at your own pace without the pressure of tight deadlines.

Study method

You will study this course by distance learning, which will enable you to take control of your studies. You can study at your own pace from a place that suits you. All your learning materials will be posted or emailed to you online, depending on the learning method you choose. You will also receive our tutor support by email, so help is only ever a click away.

Assessment

All units are internally assessed. The assessments enable your work experience to provide evidence for individual units as well as the whole qualification. This course requires an assessment of your practical skills within your working environment. It is essential that you are working in a level three or higher teaching assistant role in a school or college. You will also need a suitably qualified teacher (qualified teacher status) to act as your workplace assessor to observe you, comment on your skills, and write a report to meet the assessment requirements. This direct observation will be used as evidence towards your qualification. Methods of assessment could include:

• Direct observation of practice
• Witness evidence when directed by the sector skills assessment strategy
• Professional discussion
• Reflection on own practice in real work situations
• Written assignments

You will be required to be working in a school or college environment to enable you to provide the evidence required to complete the qualification.

Course outcome

Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive your NCFE CACHE Level 4 Certificate for the Advanced Practitioner in Schools and Colleges. You will become fully qualified as a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) and provided with a certificate as recognition of your achievement.

Who are CACHE?

The Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education (CACHE) are the UK’s leading provider of vocational qualifications for those working within care and education. CACHE qualifications are recognised across the education and care industries and they are amongst the most well-known and respected qualifications.

Our range of CACHE vocational qualifications are suitable for individuals involved in early years, education, childcare, and health and social care. All courses lead to a nationally recognised Ofqual regulated qualification and are accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

CACHE works closely with employers and learners to ensure that learners have a progression route whether it’s into further study, a career, or university. These qualifications have helped millions of people obtain the skills and knowledge they need to meet the professional standards required in the care, education, and health industries.

CACHE Alumni membership

Once you have enrolled on your CACHE course, you will have access to the CACHE Alumni membership for two years. CACHE Alumni is a professional membership network for those who work in the care, health, and education industries, providing valuable resources and advice for your studies when working towards/with a CACHE qualification.

What next?

Once you have successfully completed this course, you can progress to the following  job roles and responsibilities:

• Higher level teaching assistant or advanced practitioner.
• Progress internally to a higher level, including roles with management responsibilities.
• Leadership, mentoring, supervision, and management roles.