• Access Duration:  1 Year
• Awarded by: NCFE  CACHE
• Qualification Level:  Level 1
• Qualification Number: 603/2477/6
• Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 47
• Total Qualification Time (TQT): 57
• Total Credits: 6

• Understand the different types of schools.
• Identify major differences between various types of schools based on the level of education.
• Describe what is expected of school administrators, teachers, tutors and support staff.
• Understand the main stages of development from birth to 19 years of age.
• Identify hazards and risks that could be found in a learning environment.
• Understand how to communicate effectively with children, young people and adults.

If you want to gain a basic understanding of working in schools before you go on to gain more qualifications or a job, then you should take the NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Schools. You don’t need any experience so it’s a good place to start for a lot of different types of learners.

This course is ideal for:

• Mature Learners
• Career Changers
• Volunteers considering school roles
• Learners with special educational needs
• Individuals with English as an additional language
• Returning learners
• CPD seekers

• This qualification is suitable for learners aged 14 and above.

• This course can be completed through two flexible study options to suit your lifestyle:
  • Standard Course Plan (2 months) – ideal for learners balancing other commitments.
  • Fast Track Option (1 month) – perfect for those who can dedicate intensive study time.
• Most learners complete within their chosen timeframe, though some may finish earlier depending on personal circumstances and available study time. We accommodate your pace with unlimited support for 12 months. This Level 1 Award requires approximately 47 guided learning hours.

T&C apply

Internal and External Quality Assurance: Your work will be assessed and internally quality assured by South London College.

Portfolio of Evidence: Assessment is based on a portfolio of evidence.

Grading: The qualification is graded Achieved or Not Yet Achieved.

The NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Schools is designed to prepare learners for further education and training. It can also provide a stepping stone to higher level qualifications that require a greater depth of knowledge or practical experience.

Next Steps for a Possible Academic Progression Pathway

• Step 1: Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges
• Step 2: Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning
• Step 3: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning

Alternative Pathways 

• Level 1 qualifications in Childcare or Early Years
• Specialised CPD courses in areas such as Safeguarding, SEND Awareness, or Behaviour Management.
• Personal development courses in English, Maths, or Digital Skills to support further study

The NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Schools is an introductory, knowledge-based qualification. It does not, on its own, confirm occupational competence or qualify learners to work independently in a school support role. However, it can help learners build a useful understanding of school settings, child and young person wellbeing, safeguarding, communication and positive learning environments.

Here are some career opportunities you could pursue after progressing to further qualifications, along with approximate UK salaries. (Source: Glassdoor UK)

• SEN Support Worker / SEN Teaching Assistant – approx. £24,000
• Teaching Assistant – approx. £23,000
• Nursery Assistant in a school setting – approx. £23,000
• Learning Support Assistant – approx. £22,000
• After School Club Assistant – approx. £22,000
• Mealtime Supervisor – approx. £21,000

This qualification is regulated by Ofqual, the UK government’s Office for Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. Ofqual regulation ensures that the qualification meets national standards for quality, consistency, and fairness. It means the course content, assessment methods, and learning outcomes are carefully monitored, giving learners confidence that the qualification is credible, well recognised, and supports progression to further study or employment in the UK.

RQF

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is a system used in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales to categorise and regulate qualifications based on their level of difficulty and size. RQF is jointly regulated by England’s regulator Ofqual, Wales DCELLS, and Northern Ireland’s CCEA. The RQF ensures qualifications are standardised, making it easier for learners, employers, and educational institutions to understand the value and level of each qualification. The framework consists of nine levels, from Entry Level to Level 8, with each level indicating the complexity and depth of learning. For a qualification to be recognised as part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), it must be created or approved by an awarding body that is acknowledged by one of the government-appointed regulatory bodies.