About Painsley Catholic College
AlPainsley Catholic College is a vibrant, high‑achieving Catholic secondary school where students are encouraged to grow academically, spiritually, and personally. With a clear mission rooted in valuing every individual as a child of God, the college fosters a warm, respectful community where young people thrive. Students benefit from excellent teaching, strong pastoral care, and a rich programme of extracurricular and enrichment opportunities that help them discover and develop their talents. The school’s motto, Know Yourself, reflects its commitment to nurturing confidence, character, and ambition. Recent celebrations of exceptional GCSE and Sixth Form results highlight a culture of aspiration and hard work. Painsley’s active Catholic life, vibrant liturgical calendar, and strong links with local parishes further enrich the student experience, creating a supportive environment where faith and learning go hand in hand.
Early Years Apprenticeships
Early Years Practitioner Level 2
An Early Years Practitioner (EYP) is responsible for implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum in various early years settings. These settings may include full day care, children’s centres, playgroups, pre-schools, nursery schools, reception classes and home-based provision.
Early Years Educator Level 3
An Early Years Educator (EYE) is responsible for planning and providing effective care for children aged 0-5 in various early years settings. They count towards the Staff: Child ratio and can mentor Early Years Practitioners. They will implement the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) that enables children to prepare for school.
Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5
The Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner (EYLP) Apprenticeship is ideal for proactive, influential practitioners, working directly with children.
These highly skilled professionals take an operational lead for the care, learning and development of all young children within their care and lead and support the practice of others.
Early Years Speech & Language Support Practitioner Level 5
The Early Years Speech & Language Support Practitioner Apprenticeship develops early years practitioners and setting support staff into confident speech and language champions, equipping them to identify speech, language and communication needs, remove barriers and help children access early learning, play and development.
Coaching in the Early Years Apprenticeship Level 5
The first coaching qualification built just for the Early Years.
For Early Years professionals who coach others, formally or informally, and want to refine their practice. Gain a complete toolkit of proven coaching techniques – from active listening and structured feedback to goal setting and solution-focused conversations – all tailored to the Early Years context.
Thrive Early Years Educator Level 3
The Thrive Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Level 3 programme is a variation of our Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Level 3 programme that is delivered by Best Practice Network and our sister company, Thrive.
This apprenticeship provides early years practitioners with the knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver high-quality education and care. With the addition of Thrive's learning, they will also understand behaviour, wellbeing and inclusivity to help every child feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
Thrive Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5
Built on the Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 apprenticeship standard and enhanced with specialist Thrive content, this programme helps practitioners deepen their understanding of child development, behaviour, relationships and social and emotional wellbeing, while developing the leadership skills needed to support others and improve practice.
Leader Apprenticeships with NPQs
Leader Apprenticeship with NPQH
Designed for aspiring or recently appointed headteachers looking to improve their leadership capability. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQH is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's flagship NPQ for Headship (NPQH) to the Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.
Leader Apprenticeship with NPQSL
Designed for aspiring or recently appointed senior leaders looking to improve their leadership capability. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQSL is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's flagship NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) to the Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.
Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLT
Designed to give learners all of the essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin the successful leadership of teaching. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLT is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's NPQ for Leading Teaching (NPQLT) to the Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.
Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLTD
Designed to give learners all of the essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin successful leadership of teacher development. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLTD is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's NPQ for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD) to the Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.
Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLBC
Designed to give learners all of the essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin successful leadership of culture and behaviour in a school. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLBC is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's NPQ for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC) to the Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.
Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ for SENCOs
The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ for SENCOs is a dual award that integrates the DfE’s NPQ for SENCOs with the Level 5 Learning and Development Apprenticeship.
Teaching Assistant and Support Staff Apprenticeships
Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship
Teacher Assistant (TA) Apprenticeship Level 3 is ideal for anyone already working as a Teaching Assistant, or looking for a career as a TA.
Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship SEND
The Level 3 Teaching Assistant (TA) Apprenticeship with SEND is tailored for both current TAs and aspiring TAs, focusing on supporting students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Specialist Teaching Assistant Level 5 Apprenticeship
The Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship is designed for those looking to become a specialist TA (in one of three pathways) and has at least one year of classroom experience.
NEW! Speech & Language Support Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 5
The Speech & Language Support Practitioner Apprenticeship develops teaching assistants and support staff into specialists in speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).
NEW! Autism Support Practitioner Level 5
Developed in collaboration with Liberty Education Trust, this programme is designed for teaching assistants and support staff who want to develop specialist expertise in autism and play a more impactful role in supporting autistic pupils’ learning, participation and outcomes.
Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship
The Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship is a school-based teacher training route for graduates employed in schools across England. This salaried pathway lets you learn in the classroom from day one, while your training costs are fully covered by your school's Apprenticeship Levy. Successful completion of this programme will award Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship Qualification, which will qualify you to teach in all schools in England.
Pastoral Apprenticeships
NEW! Pastoral Support Practitioner Level 4
Strengthen attendance, behaviour and pupil wellbeing through early intervention and support. This apprenticeship is designed for staff who work with pupils and families to address barriers to learning, attendance and wellbeing.
AI and Coaching Apprenticeships
AI Practitioner for Schools Level 4
A fully funded apprenticeship that prepares school staff to coordinate the ethical and effective use of AI and automation across schools and trusts. The programme prepares apprentices for roles including AI Coordinator, AI Implementation Lead, Digital and AI Lead and Automation and Systems Lead.
Coaching, Learning and Development Practitioner Level 3
The Coaching, Learning and Development Practitioner Level 3 Apprenticeship helpers learners to develop the skills to identify development needs, design effective learning opportunities, and use coaching to empower others.
Thrive Wellbeing Apprenticeships
Thrive Wellbeing Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 5
Valued at £12,000 and equivalent to a foundation degree, this work-based training programme is ideal for experienced teaching assistants who are looking to advance their careers, take on more responsibility, and build expertise in social and emotional support for children and young people.
Thrive Wellbeing Leadership Apprenticeship Level 5
Valued at £9,000 and equivalent to a foundation degree, this work-based training programme empowers teachers, leaders and aspiring leaders to advance their leadership and management skills, while building the expertise to strategically implement the Thrive Approach within a class, department, setting or organisation.
Thrive Advanced Practitioner Apprenticeship
Valued at £12,000, equivalent to a foundation degree, and best suited to those who have previously trained as Licensed Practitioners, this work-based programme is a great fit for experienced teaching assistants and other support staff who are looking to advance their careers, take on more responsibility, and build additional expertise in social and emotional support for children and young people.