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My trainer spent two years supporting me in every single way possible, and I am so grateful for her. She never once doubted my abilities to reach my goals, and supported me throughout.
My name is Bryony Wood, and I have just completed my Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprenticeship at the Sir Robert Woodard Academy. I started my career as a TA three months after finishing my A-levels. I wasn’t ready to go to university, as I had no idea what I wanted to do, so when I saw the advert for the apprenticeship, I applied.
I completed the Level 3 TA apprenticeship in 18 months, which included weekly online meetings with my Lift Schools apprenticeship trainer. I spent 80% of my working time in lessons supporting students with SEND, and 20% focusing on my coursework. The 15 modules involved a range of activities - from producing written documentation of my work to creating PowerPoint presentations and working alongside external agencies.
During my apprenticeship, I learned a wide variety of strategies to support students with SEND, including effective behaviour management and the different ways in which pupils learn. My trainer taught me a great deal, particularly how to effectively safeguard students and deliver targeted interventions that further support learning. I also became a GCSE exam invigilator during my time at the academy, supporting students who required access arrangements in order to complete their exams.
Doing the apprenticeship gave me insight as to what I wanted to be as I progressed in my career.
I am progressing onto university this year to train as a primary school teacher. Although I completed my apprenticeship in a secondary school, 18 months of experience helped me realise that primary education is better suited to my skills and abilities. I already teach personalised 1:1 phonics sessions - a really important part of early learning and development - and I want to deliver this on a broader scale to primary school pupils. The apprenticeship allowed me to figure out what I wanted to do with my life and how I could shape the future of young primary school children. The two apprentices I worked alongside are continuing their employment at the academy as qualified teaching assistants.
For anyone considering an apprenticeship, I would strongly recommend Lift Schools. My trainer spent two years supporting me in every way possible, and I am so grateful to her. She never once doubted my ability to reach my goals, and she supported me throughout my entire university application. It also gave me the opportunity to connect with other Lift Schools apprentices across the country.
My trainer wasn’t the only Lift Schools member involved with my university application - the Director of Apprenticeships even communicated with several universities on my behalf. The support Lift Schools has given me over the last 18 months has been unreal, and I am really thankful that I did my apprenticeship with them
My academy had a very strong SEND department - in fact, we were the largest department in the school. This meant we were very close as individuals and worked very well as a team. I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the team, and I was backed by a strong management team. My line manager, the SENCO of the academy, worked closely with our Inclusion Manager. Having such a wonderful team to support me through my apprenticeship was vital, giving me the strength and determination to complete it.
Doing the apprenticeship gave me an insight as to what I wanted to be as I progressed. It has made a very large impact on my next steps, and helped me define my career for the future.
Since starting the apprenticeship, I'm much more confident in myself and the way I communicate. I'm naturally quite a shy person, and I think the apprenticeship has helped me to overcome that.
I've already signed up with Derby University to do the Level 6 top-up in September. I then plan to get a PGCE. Within three years, hopefully, I will be a qualified teacher.
The Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship has been a truly empowering experience. It's not just about gaining a qualification; it's about personal and professional transformation.
