SEND Teaching Assistant Apprentice Mackie makes a difference on pupils’ lives
An apprenticeship programme is an excellent way for new talent to enter the education sector. The hands-on nature of these programmes help learners develop their skills in a real-world setting. An Inspire ATA apprentice who has seen this benefit is Mackie Angus, a Level 3 SEND Teaching Assistant apprentice from Freemantles School. Here is his story:
“I decided to do an apprenticeship instead of going to college as I didn’t really enjoy school and would volunteer often at the school and was told to come and do an apprenticeship.
I chose this apprenticeship as I was recommended it and wanted to work at the placement. Inspire ATA was highly recommended by other apprentices I knew.
The main benefits are learning something new every day and earning money at 16 doing something I love.
I’m most proud of seeing the children progress and feeling that I’ve helped them get to that point.
Teaching assistants are vital to supporting SEN pupils, all classes have a teacher and a lead with teaching assistants, we need a ratio of 5 staff to 9 children if we want to be successful and thrive with our class. If we didn’t have teaching assistants, the teacher and lead would be stuck and struggle.
All teaching assistants help out the school and we help the students build bonds with one another, build them with us and learn in a safe enjoyable environment.
The most important skill I have learnt is patience, each child is different you need patience to build the bonds, and to help the children and help ourselves be successful.
Emily Nicholson from Inspire ATA has been very supportive she always replies to emails whenever she can no matter how busy and it’s nice to feel prioritised. Many staff at Freemantles have helped me feel welcome and I’ve got good bonds.
After completing my apprenticeship, I would love to stay on and get a job at the school.”
Best of luck in the future Mackie!
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