• Access Duration:  1 Year
• Awarded by: NCFE  CACHE
• Qualification Level:  Level 3
• Qualification Number: 603/2498/3
• Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 210
• Total Qualification Time (TQT): 350
• Credits: 35

• Describe the structure of education from the early years through to the end of compulsory education.
• Learn what people working in schools and colleges do; their jobs and duties.
• Outline the laws and rules in place for the protection of children and teens.
• Explain the manner a person should grow from birth to 19 years.
• Set the rules and procedures to be used to encourage good behaviour.
• Describe the steps taken to ensure health and safety in a learning environment.
• Describe the difference between formative and summative tests for learning.

This NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning is for people who work or volunteer as support staff in schools and colleges and want to gain a formal, recognised qualification.

This course is ideal for:

• Teaching Assistants
• Learning Support Assistants
• Classroom Assistants
• Pastoral Support Workers
• SEN Support Staff
• Volunteers in schools
• Career changers seeking to enter education
• Individuals progressing from a Level 2 qualification

• To be eligible for the course, learners must be aged 16 years or above. 
• You will need to demonstrate competence in both skills and knowledge, so you will need to be working or completing a practical placement in a school or college learning setting. NCFE CACHE recommends the learner complete 100 hours of placement experience in a real workplace.  
• It would be useful if you have a Level 2 qualification. 

• This course can be completed through two flexible study options to suit your lifestyle:
  • Standard Course Plan (12 months) – ideal for learners balancing other commitments.
  • Fast Track Option (6 months) – 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 3 Certificate requires approximately 210 guided learning hours.

T&C apply

• There are no formal exams. 
• Your grade is based on evidence in a portfolio. 
• Your progress is assessed against tasks and evidence that are aligned to the unit learning outcomes. You need to demonstrate how you can support teaching and learning and be able to apply what you have learned in a real school or college setting. 
• Evidence for assessment can take the form of written assignments, professional discussions, direct observations, learner work products, reflective diaries, activity plans, case studies, oral questions and answers, and evidence gathered in the workplace. 
• Some units of the qualification are skills based and you will need to be in work or on a practical placement in a school or college setting whilst you are studying the course.  
• You will be assembling a portfolio of evidence with all of your completed assessment work.  
• Your final work will be internally assessed by South London College. 
• This qualification is graded as Achieved or Not Achieved.  

The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning is a fantastic way for people working in education to continue to develop.

Next Steps for a Possible Academic Progression Pathway

• Step 1: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning
• Step 2: NCFE CACHE Level 4 Certificate for the Advanced Practitioner in Schools and Colleges
• Step 3: Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Education Settings
• Step 4: Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BSc) in Education Studies

Alternative Pathways 

• Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning (for those seeking a shorter, knowledge-only introduction).
• Level 3 qualifications in Childcare or Early Years Education.
• Specialised CPD courses in areas such as SEND, behaviour management, or speech and language support.
• Leadership and management qualifications for schools and colleges.
• HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) status preparation.

The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning gives you the skills and information you need to improve your job prospects in schools and colleges.

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

• SEN Teaching Assistant – £28,000
• Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) – £27,500
• Teaching Assistant – £24,000
• Learning Support Assistant – £23,500
• Pastoral Support Worker – £23,000
• Classroom Assistant – £22,500
• Behaviour Support Assistant – £22,000

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.