Apprentice Early Years Teaching Assistant
37 hours per week, term time only plus 5 days (8.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday)
Hourly rate of £7.55 which will raise to the age of the apprentice after 12 months, if over 19
Start date – 3rd November 2025
Start your career at St Michael’s C of E Primary School, where you’ll support our youngest children’s learning and development in an inspiring, nurturing and inclusive environment. You will work alongside experienced and highly skilled colleagues who are dedicated to ensuring each child reaches their full potential, regardless of any barriers they may face. This practical role includes training towards a Level 3 Early Years Teaching Assistant apprenticeship, helping you gain the skills and experience needed for a fulfilling future in early years education.
By undertaking an apprenticeship, you will be provided with full training to become a Level 3 Teaching Assistant. You will be fully supported in the workplace by the apprenticeship training provider (Darlington Borough Council Learning & Skills), the Trust Early Years Lead and the rest of the Early Years team. It is anticipated that you will need to attend a drop-in session at Darlington Borough Council Learning & Skills training centre (DL1 4QZ) one day a week.
We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated, enthusiastic and nurturing person who:
• Has a good general education to GCSE level or equivalent, including Maths and English.
• Has a positive work ethic.
• Is committed to working in a team environment.
• Is nurturing, empathetic and dedicated to making a difference to young people’s lives.
• Who prioritises safeguarding at every opportunity.
Your main duties would include, but are not restricted to:
• Support EYFS staff in delivering high-quality early years education.
• Implement and adhere to all safeguarding procedures and policies.
• Assist with children's personal care, learning activities, and behaviour support.
• Build positive relationships with pupils, parents, and staff.
• Promote inclusion and independence among children.
• Help prepare resources, displays, and maintain a safe learning environment.
• Attend training and contribute to school life, trips, and meetings.
• Support planning, assessment, and use of ICT in the classroom.
• Follow safeguarding, health & safety, and school policies.
You will be completing the Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Standard with Darlington Borough Council Learning & Skills. This programme equips you with the knowledge and practical skills to support children's development in early years settings. Training is delivered through a blend of online learning and expert-led sessions, covering key topics such as child development, safeguarding, and play-based learning.
Throughout the apprenticeship, you’ll be supported by experienced tutors with real-world early years’ experience. You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience in the class, working with children in the Early Years Foundation Stage while earning a nationally recognised qualification.
Training will be provided to achieve the following qualifications:
Level 3 Early Years Apprenticeship Standard
Drop-in training sessions will be take place weekly, at Darlington Borough Council Learning & Skills training centre (DL1 4QZ). Here you will develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours to ensure these exceed the minimum requirements for the Early Years Level 3 apprenticeship standards.
One Excellence Multi Academy Trust is a Multi Academy Trust made up of four schools. The Trust was founded in July 2017 and is a mixed Multi Academy Trust. The vision and rationale behind the wider partnership are based on shared values and aspirations, a strong sense of community identity and values of inclusion and aspiration for all.
One Excellence Multi Academy Trust believes in supporting and investing in its staff and has a structured health and well-being programme. The programme includes physiotherapy, nurse support service and drop-in clinic, counselling, mindfulness sessions, weight management, stress awareness, GP consultations and private medical operations if required. We are also keen for staff to be able to reach their full potential and offer a range of professional development opportunities in all areas of education, nurturing and leadership.
Disclosure: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to enhanced clearance through the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. We want to develop a more diverse workforce, and we positively welcome applications from all sections of the community. Applicants with disabilities will be invited for interview if the essential job criteria are met. Where our roles are customer facing and you are required to speak to members of the public, the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post. As a disability confident employer, we are committed to employing disabled people and people with health conditions making reasonable adjustments to support disabled applicants when required.
Posts are subject to a satisfactory DBS, reference checks and social media checks and are not open to anyone on the DBS Barred List.
If you think this post is for you, please contact Laurie Kidd, Trust Early Years Lead, for an informal discussion on (01740) 651482.
Applicants should apply by using the following link:
Closing date: 9.00am on Friday 3rd October 2025
Interview date: TBC