A library for learners in education.

Anyone working in a school, multi-academy trust, further education college, early years setting or local authority education service in England. Whether you are starting out as a teaching assistant, moving into a specialist role, or stepping up into leadership, there is a pathway for you.

Entry requirements vary by level. Level 3 programmes are typically open to those with GCSE-equivalent English and Maths, while Level 5 and 6 pathways ask for relevant experience and prior qualifications. If you are close but not quite there, tell us, we support functional-skills top-up alongside your programme.

Not at all! Hundreds of alumni had never studied beyond school before enrolling. Your Professional Learning Mentor helps you rebuild study confidence from day one.

Yes. Every NCE programme is designed to be delivered in-role. You continue working in your setting, and off-the-job learning is scheduled around your working pattern with flexible online modules, live workshops and one-to-one mentor time.

No. Programmes are delivered virtually providing greater flexibility and accessibility to suit the work patterns of the sectors we serve.

Off-the-job training makes up 20 percent of your paid working hours and must be directly relevant to your programme standard. It covers activities like online learning, workshops, mentoring, shadowing, reading, research, and structured practice, not your day-to-day duties.

You are assigned a named Professional Learning Mentor for the full duration of your programme. You also get an online portfolio, a Virtual Learning Environment stocked with videos, podcasts and reading, plus ongoing pastoral and wellbeing support.

Assessment is built into your day job through a portfolio of real workplace evidence, professional discussions and a final End-Point Assessment. There is no exam-hall pressure, your practice in your setting is the assessment.

Alumni progress into HLTA, specialist SEND and pastoral roles, early years leadership, teacher training routes, senior youth work and school leadership. Every programme is nationally recognised and stacks toward the next step in your career.

Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship supports those starting out as teaching or learning support staff. Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant is for experienced practitioners specialising in SEND, curriculum or SEMH. The Early Years Educator route is specifically for those working with children from birth to five.

Yes. Every apprenticeship leads to a nationally recognised qualification, regulated and awarded by the relevant national accrediting bodies for that pathway. Please check individual program pages to see exactly what you can achieve upon completion.

Yes. Programme training is funded by your employer or through the government's Apprenticeship Levy. You keep your salary, you gain a qualification, and you pay nothing toward course fees.