Hampshire Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp

 

Course Starting Soon – 14th April 2026

  Subject to eligibility

Our Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp, in partnership with Hampshire County Council, is perfect for unemployed individuals looking to start a career in education.

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Course Overview

If you’re currently unemployed and living in the Hampshire County Council administrative area (anywhere in Hampshire except the cities of Portsmouth, Southampton or the IOW), the Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp offers a clear pathway into schools with training designed to help you thrive in today’s education sector. Whether you’re returning to work or exploring a new career, this fully-funded programme will equip you with the essential skills schools are looking for – from communication and teamwork to child development, safeguarding, and classroom support.

You’ll also benefit from tailored employability support, including CV writing workshops, interview preparation, and personalised career guidance. Every participant will receive support in securing a job interview with a Hampshire school, helping you take confident steps towards employment.

This Skills Bootcamp is delivered in collaboration with Hampshire County Council. Funding has been secured from the Department for Education (DfE) to support the running of Skills Bootcamps across Hampshire. This investment will boost the region’s workforce, ensuring schools have access to new talent, and individuals gain the skills to build the careers they aspire to.

60 hours learning over 7 weeks

Spanning 7 weeks, this Bootcamp operates on a Tuesday & Thursday, with daily teaching hours of 9:30am to 2:00pm and planned time for breaks.

Delivered online, this interactive group programme combines activities with expert-led coaching in a virtual classroom setting.

A Certificate of Completion issued by Fareport Training in partnership with Hampshire County Council

If you’re currently unemployed and living in the Hampshire County Council administrative area, you may be eligible for fully funded training – supported by the Department for Education. Please note that all places are subject to meeting the full eligibility criteria for this programme.

This Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp is designed for residents living in the Hampshire County Council administrative area (anywhere in Hampshire except the cities of Portsmouth, Southampton or the IOW), who are unemployed and want to gain the skills and knowledge needed to start a career in education.

To be eligible for this programme, you must be aged 19 or over by 31st August 2026 and live within Hampshire County Council administrative area (anywhere in Hampshire except the cities of Portsmouth, Southampton or the IOW). This Bootcamp is designed for people who are currently unemployed and exploring a future career as a Teaching Assistant in a local Hampshire school.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and have lived here continuously for the past three years. We’re looking for motivated individuals who are genuinely interested in starting a career in education and ready to commit to developing their skills through online learning.

Start Dates

Please see start dates below:

28/04/2026

09/06/2026

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Modules

This session explores the role and responsibilities of a Teaching Assistant and how they contribute to the wider school environment. Learners will also reflect on the importance of being a positive role model in daily school life.

The focus here is on developing effective relationships with learners, teachers, and other professionals to support learner progress. Participants will also learn about professional boundaries and relevant legislation.

This session introduces key stages of child and adolescent development, from the Early Years Foundation Stage to Key Stage 5. It also addresses the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACE’s).

In this session, participants will explore different types of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and learn inclusive teaching strategies. The session also covers assistive technology, relevant legislation, and Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

This session provides strategies for supporting English and Maths learning in alignment with the national curriculum. It also examines ways to adapt teaching for learners with SEND.

Learners will be introduced to the cycle of learning, assessment, and feedback. The session also covers monitoring progress, formative assessment strategies, scaffolding, and questioning techniques.

This session explores approaches to behaviour management, including when to apply rewards and sanctions. The importance of positive communication and collaboration for supporting SEND learners is also highlighted.

Here participants will gain an understanding of the importance of legislation, policies, and procedures in educational settings. Safeguarding, Data Protection, British Values, Keeping Children Safe In Education (KCSIE), Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and local safeguarding partnerships are unpacked.

The focus of this session is on supporting learners’ social, emotional, and mental health needs. It also covers online safety, bullying, and the role of wider support services such as CAMHS and MHST.

This final session introduces career pathways such as apprenticeships, HLTA roles, and teaching routes. It also reinforces professional standards to support future development.

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Session 1: The Role Of A Teaching Assistant & CV Writing

This session introduces the role and responsibilities of a Teaching Assistant, including supporting teachers, working with pupils, and contributing to a positive learning environment. It also provides guidance on creating an effective CV, including how to highlight relevant skills, experience, and qualities for a Teaching Assistant role.

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Session 2: Communication, Teamwork & Social Media

Our 2nd session focuses on effective communication skills with pupils, teachers, and parents. Covers verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, and professional collaboration within a school team. Also explores appropriate use of social media, maintaining professionalism, and safeguarding your online presence.

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Session 3: Early Years

This session introduces the principles of early childhood development and learning. It covers key stages of development, play-based learning, and supporting young children’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth in line with early years frameworks.

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Session 4: SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)

Our 4th session provides an overview of SEND, including different types of needs such as learning difficulties, physical disabilities, and communication challenges. It focuses on inclusive practice and supporting diverse learners in the classroom.

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Session 5: SEND (Continued)

This session builds on prior knowledge by exploring strategies to support pupils with SEND. Covers differentiation, use of support plans, working with specialists, and adapting activities to meet individual needs.

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Session 6: Assessment, Feedback & Cover Letters

Session 6 explains how assessment is used to track pupil progress and inform teaching. It covers giving constructive feedback to support learning. The session also includes guidance on writing effective cover letters tailored to teaching assistant roles.

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Session 7: English, Maths & ILP Reflection

Session 7 focuses on supporting pupils in core subjects, including literacy and numeracy strategies. It introduces Individual Learning Plans (ILP’s) and encourages reflection on personal progress and development throughout the course.

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Session 8: Behaviour Management

Here key behaviour management strategies are introduced, including setting expectations, positive reinforcement, and building relationships to support good behaviour in the classroom.

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Session 9: Behaviour Management (Continued)

This session develops more advanced behaviour management techniques, including dealing with challenging behaviour, de-escalation strategies, and understanding the reasons behind behaviour.

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Session 10: Legislation & Interview Questions

Session 10 covers key educational legislation and policies relevant to teaching assistants. It also prepares learners for job interviews, including common questions, answering techniques, and presenting yourself professionally.

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Session 11: Safeguarding / KCSIE

This session introduces safeguarding responsibilities and key principles from “Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).” It focuses on recognising signs of abuse and understanding reporting procedures.

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Session 12: Safeguarding / KCSIE (Continued)

Session 12 builds on safeguarding knowledge with more detailed scenarios and case studies. It reinforces the importance of vigilance, professional boundaries, and accurate record-keeping.

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Session 13: Pastoral Care

This session explores the role of pastoral support in schools, including promoting wellbeing, supporting emotional needs, and helping pupils feel safe, valued, and included.

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Session 14: Next Steps

Our final session focuses on progression after the bootcamp. It includes career planning, job applications, interview readiness, and identifying further training or development opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for this fully funded programme, you must meet the following criteria.

Aged 19 or over by 31st August 2026
Currently unemployed
Live within the Hampshire County Council administrative area (excluding Southampton, Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight)
Exploring a future career as a Teaching Assistant in a local Hampshire school
Have the right to work in the UK
Have lived in the UK continuously for the past three years
Genuinely interested in starting a career in education
Ready to commit to developing skills through online learning

Ready to get started?

Begin your application today and a member of our team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps. No commitment required — just a conversation.

Meet the Trainers

Lisa Elsey - Support for Employers, Learners and Staff

Lisa Elsey

Trainer

Lisa joined Fareport Training in October 2017, bringing over 16 years of management and retail experience, along with a bachelor’s degree. Since joining, she has gained her CAVA and DET qualifications and is now an experienced trainer supporting learners across various disciplines. Lisa is currently working towards achieving her Level 5 QTLS qualification to further enhance her expertise. 

Lisa delivers training to a diverse range of learners, including those in management, retail, teaching assistant, and CIPS programs from Level 2 to Level 5. Her extensive knowledge and commitment to professional development ensure that her learners receive high-quality training and support. 

Sam Sibbick

Trainer

Sam is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in employability, training, and career development. She holds a Level 6 qualification in Careers Guidance and is also a qualified Assessor. Highly organised and customer-focused, Sam combines an engaging personality with strong creativity, a keen eye for detail, and proficient IT skills.

Sam enjoys producing clear and concise documents, particularly when tackling challenging CVs. Skilled at building rapport at all levels, Sam is adept at resolving issues, motivating and inspiring others, and helping individuals improve their confidence.

Driven by a passion for supporting people to recognise their potential and achieve their goals, Sam strives to exceed expectations and make a real difference. She looks forward to working with you to help you achieve your career objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Class sizes on the Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp are kept small, usually between 12 and 15 participants. This allows for a more tailored learning experience with plenty of opportunities for interaction and discussion.

The Teaching Assistant Skills Bootcamp is taught entirely online in a virtual classroom, using engaging group sessions and interactive exercises.

No, learners who have taken part in a Skills Bootcamp in the last year are not able to join this programme.

Why Learn with Fareport Training?

Established in 1983, we’ve been helping people build careers for over 40 years.

40+ Years’ Experience

One of Hampshire’s longest-running training providers, trusted by employers and councils alike.

Expert Trainers

Our instructors are experienced educators who bring real classroom knowledge to every session.

Career Support

We don’t just train you — we help you find work with CV support, interview coaching, and school connections.

Course Attendee Feedback

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I’ve just completed the Teaching Assistant Skills Boot Camp, and I absolutely enjoyed this experience. What I loved most about the course was how well-structured and engaging it was. The materials were clear, with excellent examples, videos, activities, and group interactions that made learning enjoyable and easy to follow.

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The most important skill I’ve developed during this programme is understanding the full picture of what it means to be a successful teaching assistant. The course provided a clear overview of key topics and practical tools to improve my knowledge in each area. I’ve learned how to navigate large amounts of information, identify what’s most relevant, and apply it effectively in real classroom situations, which has helped me feel more confident, organised, and prepared to support both teachers and students

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What truly made the course a success was our teacher. She was professional, positive, kind, attentive, and incredibly supportive. Despite everyone coming from different backgrounds, she created a warm and welcoming atmosphere where we all felt valued and encouraged. I’m very thankful for her guidance and the positive environment she built, which made a huge difference to my learning experience.

Success Stories

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