Creating the next generation of skilled Education and Early Years workers

T Levels are a new, high-quality, work-focussed alternative to A Levels for young people once they’ve completed their GCSEs. Equivalent to three A Levels, an Education and Early Years T Level will equip students with the practical skills and knowledge they need to progress into the education and childcare workforce, university, or a higher level education and childcare apprenticeship.

What’s it all about?

The education and early years T Level (Assisting Teaching) is a technical qualification that combines knowledge and theory with a practical work placement made up of a minimum of 45 days in an educational sitting! So if you are self-motivated and love to combine written assignments with practical learning this could be the course for you!

What specific skills will I learn?

Everyone studies a core curriculum of child development and how education works, alongside important topics like safeguarding and special educational needs. Students will then focus on the area of “Assisting Teaching” and spend their placement in an exciting educational environment.

Who is it suitable for?

The Technical Qualification is primarily aimed at post 16 year old students who wish to progress into the education and childcare sector. This qualification will equip young people with the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to enter skilled employment. The occupational specialism we are delivering at Duke’s is: Assisting Teaching. To achieve this qualification, you must successfully demonstrate your achievement of the Core Component and the Occupational Specialism Component.

Entry requirements

Students should be aged 16 or above to undertake this qualification. There are no specific recommended prior learning requirements, skills or knowledge a student must have for this qualification. However, students may find it helpful if they have already studied a related subject at Level 2. A grade of at least 4 in both Maths and English is required.

Qualification structure

Guided Learning (GL): 905 hours
Total Qualification Time (TQT): 996

Core Component assessed through:

• 2 written examinations (Paper A and Paper B)
• An employer-set project (ESP) – a supervised project, devised and set by NCFE

Occupational Specialism Component assessed through:
• Synoptic assignments specific to the specialism of Assisting Teaching

Where could a T Level in Education and Early Years take you?