To help support current Classroom Assistants, Stranmillis University College has developed this innovative certificate programme.
The course aims to build confidence within classroom support teams by focusing on the development of the child’s wellbeing and social learning skills. Understanding how to mentor the individual child with needs while working with the teacher to develop new cognitive skills is a core part of the course. Attainment across all six units is therefore encouraged to enhance either the newly qualified classroom assistant or the experienced practitioner skills.
Classes are currently held online on Thursday evenings and each unit runs for approximately 6 weeks. The fees for each unit are £120.
Classroom Assistants Programme Certificate Programme
This programme is currently closed for bookings.
| Course | Booking |
|---|---|
| Supporting the Child's Social Learning, Resilience and Wellbeing | Closed for booking |
| Planning for Learning and the Support Role of a Learning Assistant | Closed for booking |
| Teaching Assistants and the Law: Inclusion and Needs | Closed for booking |
| Schools and Colleges and the SEN New Code of Practice | Closed for booking |
| The Autism Spectrum: Strategies for Specialist Learning Support | Closed for booking |
| Working with Teachers and Learning Managers as a Learner's Coach and Guide: 7 Micro Skills | Closed for booking |
Supporting the Child’s Social Learning, Resilience and Wellbeing
This unit offers a range of support tools and strategies in the classroom to meet the needs of the developing child while supporting their wellbeing during the return to school/college. Understanding the individual child is about developing an awareness of learning challenges, barriers and abilities. The unit offers a level of insight that raises the knowledge of the learning assistant/guide by exploring the following topics: how pupils learn, diversity and special educational needs, inclusion, pupil development and resilience and wellbeing.
Planning for Learning and the Support Role of a Learning Assistant
This unit supports the learning assistant in their capacity to coach and mentor pupils they are supporting in terms of a social model of support at school/college. Topics covered include: lesson planning for the classroom assistant; working with teachers and staff to make suitable adjustments and prepare aids and resources to scaffold learning in relation to needs, working with a range of staff to manage pupil learning and promoting an achievement approach that supports whole-school developments for all pupils equally.
Teaching Assistants and the Law: Inclusion and Needs
This unit offers an up to date perspective on the requirements of schools in terms of teaching, learning and assessment practices and the child with needs. Both equality and diversity are considered alongside the following topics: the new Special Educational Needs legislation and recording procedures, the culture of diversity and inclusion in schools and Colleges in NI, the various quality guides in terms of best practice for the inclusive school/College.
Schools and Colleges and the SEN New Code of Practice
Topics covered in this unit include: governance, SEN legislation and recording procedures and whole-school development planning, working with SENCOs and understanding the networks of support available within the infrastructure associated with schools and colleges.
The Autism Spectrum: Strategies for Specialist Learning Support
- Defining autism as part of a family of spectrum needs applicable to a range of behaviours and learning challenges;
- Diagnosing learning environment needs and associated behavioural remedies in support of safety and autism-friendly approaches to both social and communication skills.
- Developing strategies to better support the learning needs of the child or youth with sensory or social needs and communication for informed decision making.
Working with Teachers and Learning Managers as a Learner’s Coach and Guide: 7 Micro Skills
Topics in this unit include: working as a coach-mentor, counselling and facilitation skills, developing an approach to learner support that is appropriate in terms of mindfulness and wellbeing for all and supportive of ability and achievement with the school/college environment. Skills will be developed in the area of guidance and pastoral skills, listening and questioning skills, teaching support skills, target setting and cognitive development skills (support for learning levels and abilities).
To book the course please use the ‘apply now’ at the top of this page or click ‘book’ in the table above.
If you require further information please email cpd@stran.ac.uk or call Louise 02890 384327.