Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 3 Assessment EPAO
Best Practice Network is an Ofqual regulated, independent End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) for the assessment of the Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 3.
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Assessment methods
Apprentices will be assessed according to the requirements of the Level 3 Teaching Assistant standard assessment plan as laid out by Skills England.
Observation with questions (90 minute in-setting observation and a 20 minute Q&A) The apprentice is observed in their workplace demonstrating key skills and behaviours in line with the criteria identified in the assessment plan. This includes a follow-up Q&A to explore in more depth.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio (90 minutes) – A structured, in-depth conversation between the apprentice and assessor, supported by the apprentice’s portfolio of evidence gathered during their on-programme journey.
Each assessment method will be graded fail, pass, merit or distinction, which contribute to the apprentice’s overall grade.
How we assess what the apprentice has learned
The observation provides the opportunity for apprentices to demonstrate the skills and behaviours they have learnt during their apprenticeship, clearly showcasing how they embedded and apply them within their practice, including delivery, assessment, technology and behaviour management.
The portfolio supports the apprentice to reflect on their development across the standard, inclusive of 6 themes (Learning and Support, Assessment, Curriculum, Child Development, Legislation and Policy and Professional Development) and allows the apprentice to discuss real life examples within their professional discussion.
Expert assessment you can trust
Our Independent End-Point Assessors IEPAs are subject specialists coming from a range of school teaching and support staff backgrounds with a wide range of relevant experience. All IEPAs hold relevant qualifications and competencies which enables them assess the TA L3 effectively. All IEPAs undertake a comprehensive induction and ongoing training programme to support them to maintain their expertise.
Best Practice Network is approved by Ofqual to deliver end-point assessment for the Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship and works nationally with training providers, employers and apprentices across the education sector.
We have strong roots in teaching and learning support, built through our delivery of high-quality professional development for school staff and leaders. This background gives us a deep understanding of classroom practice and the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of a confident, capable teaching assistant.
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What is end-point assessment (EPA)
End-point assessment (EPA) is a vital part of any apprenticeship.
The DfE is developing standards to raise the quality of apprenticeships by responding to the needs of employers, who know what they want from their employees. EPA is the assessment process for the new apprenticeship standards in England.
The focus is now on the outcome of an apprenticeship and apprentices have to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers have identified they need.
The purpose of the EPA is to test that an apprentice is fully capable of doing their job before they receive their apprenticeship certificate. It also helps to demonstrate that what an apprentice has learned can be applied in the real world.
Government legislation states that EPA must be delivered by a separate body to the employer and training provider.
Employers should choose an appropriate End-point Assessment Organisation and agree on the price of EPA at the beginning of the apprenticeship journey.
Best Practice Network was one of the first two organisations to become an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) for the School Business Professional (SBP) Level 4 Standard.
As a registered EPAO, Best Practice Network is approved to deliver end-point assessments (EPA) for the School Business Professional Level 4 apprenticeship. While we specialise as an independent, separate body to apprenticeship training providers, we have considerable experience and knowledge of the sector as a provider of the Diploma for School Business Leaders qualification at levels 4 and 5.
Best Practice Network, supporting Outstanding Leaders Partnership, received the award for ‘Education Company of the Year’ at the 2020 Bett Awards. The judges said, “The external DfE Quality review demonstrates clearly that (Best Practice Network) is providing high-quality programmes to schools and their online and face-to-face training combination is impressive”.
'Education Company of the Year'
Best Practice Network is one of the UK’s largest providers of training, development, and support for education professionals with 97% of our candidates recommending us to a colleague.
We work in close partnership with practising education professionals to develop and deliver high-quality CPD, qualifications and assessments that help school leaders, early years practitioners, business managers, support staff and SENCOs be the best they can be and transform the lives of children and young people. Learn more about the programmes we offer.
To support effective provision of our SBPL4 services, we adhere to a range of relevant EPAO policies:
EPAO Appeals Policy
EPAO Complaints Policy
EPAO Conflict of Interest Policy
EPAO Equality and Diversity Policy
EPAO Fair Access and Special Considerations Policy
EPAO Malpractice and Maladministration Policy
EPAO Reasonable Adjustments Policy
EPAO AI Policy
EPAO Policy on cancellations, resits and retakes
