What content will be covered in the observation for the Teaching Assistant standard?

Version 1.0

The practical observation must take place in the apprentice's workplace. During the observation, the apprentice should have the opportunity, if required to move from one area of the organisation to another to best demonstrate how they have applied the knowledge, skills and behaviours in a work environment to achieve genuine and demanding work objectives. For example during one to one teaching assistant and teacher reviews of behaviour, meetings with parents, stakeholders etc.

The practical observation will last for a total of two hours (+/-10%). This may be split into a maximum of four sessions, each lasting at least 30 minutes. There is flexibility to permit a 10% time extension to allow the apprentice to complete their current work task.

After the last observation has concluded, a 15-minute (+/-10%) question and answer session will take place.

During this session, questions posed to the apprentice should allow a further opportunity for them to be tested on criteria that have not been fully met during the observation or to further test their competency.

The observation period will last 90 minutes. This may be split into discrete sessions held on the same working day to reflect the normal practice of the apprentice in their setting. The minimum time a discrete session can be is 15 minutes. No questions will be asked during this period.

The End-Point Assessor will observe the apprentice working directly with a learner or a group of learners, either in the classroom or in an intervention. Observations may include the setup of the learning environment and time post-lesson/intervention to include learner and staff interaction, in addition to observation of the teaching.

Version 1.1

The question session will last 20 minutes. The End-Point Assessor must ask the apprentice at least four questions. Follow-up questions are allowed, to ask questions about knowledge, skills and behaviours that were not observed to gather assessment evidence and clarify answers given by the apprentice.

To find out more about the specific knowledge, skills, and behaviours that will be assessed, please review the Standard Specification.

https://resources.tquk.org/hubfs/EPA/Standards/Standard%20Specifications/TA_Standard_Specification.pdf