Staff training and development for Schools & Academies

Staff training and development for Schools and Academies

Programmes delivered by ACL Essex, part of Essex County Council

ACL Essex is the largest provider of adult education in the county. We’re at the heart of our communities across Essex making a difference to residents and businesses, so everyone has the chance to make a difference for themselves, those around them, and the places that they live in.

We work with schools and educational settings of all shapes and sizes who take staff training and development

as seriously as we do. We work in partnership with every one of them to ensure that training and development needs are met at every step of the way.

Our offer includes programmes and courses that can be delivered in the workplace, online or as traditional classrooms session in one of eight Essex based centres.

We look forward to working with you soon.

The ACL Apprenticeship Offer

Apprenticeships are a way of developing a school’s workforce by providing training opportunities for both existing and new staff members.

ACL Essex offers a variety of apprenticeships that benefit the school environment from a Schools Business Professional to Teaching Assistant. By the apprentice working and studying at the same time towards an occupational competence, the school can successfully nurture and develop its own talent.

Our apprenticeship delivery combines work based training alongside a robust classroom program which alongside the required study time, is designed to fulfil the off job requirement set by the Government.

If you can’t see an apprenticeship that you’re interested in from our offer, please contact us and we’ll help you to find a training provider who can help.

For full and detailed information on our delivery offer please see our Apprentice or Employer Toolkit here.

Our Apprenticeship Programmes

Education

Learning and Skills Mentor Level 4

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship is suitable for those who work in the role where training and development mentorship is paramount. Such job roles would include an academic mentor, learning mentor, occupational mentor, technical mentor, training mentor, tutor or vocational mentor.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship an individual could progress to specialise in working with particular groups such as family liaison, supporting gifted and talented pupils, transition across all key stages, refugee and asylum seeker children and their families, or addressing behaviour-related issues. The individual could also develop their career by moving into a senior mentoring role.

Teaching Assistant Level 3

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship is appropriate for experienced members of the school workforce who directly support the teaching and learning of pupils or for schools to recruit new teaching assistants into the school setting.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship an individual can develop their support and understanding of a child’s learning and development. They will become a good role model and be able to work alongside schoolteachers by assisting with assessment and to safeguard and promote the health, safety and welfare of children. An individual can progress onto Higher Level Teaching Assistant level 4 qualification or as a step towards becoming a teacher.

Early Years Practitioner Level 2

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship is suitable for individuals who work and interact directly with children under five on a day to day basis supporting the planning and delivery of play and educational activities in either a pre-school or nursery type setting.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship an individual will develop their understanding of the importance of early years childhood development and can progress their career onto the Early Years Educator Level 3 qualification.

Also available

• Children, Young People and Families Practitioner Level 4

Early Years Educator Level 3

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship is suitable for individuals who have progressed within their early years career and now work supervising the planning and delivery of play and educational activities in either a pre-school or nursery type setting.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship an individual will further develop their management skills as well as a more in depth understanding of the importance of early years childhood development and can progress their career onto the Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 qualification.

• Children, Young People and Families Manager Level 5

Business, Finance and Leadership

Accounts / Finance Assistant

Level 2

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship would be suitable for an individual in a junior role working within an accounts team who completes basic bookkeeping processes, possibly including day ledgers, invoicing, reconciliations, cash and data entry.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship, the individual will gain the AAT level 2 qualification and will be able to progress onto the AAT level 3 qualification / Assistant Accountant level 3 apprenticeship to further develop their accounting skills.

Assistant Accountant Level 3

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship would be suitable for an individual who is involved in assisting in the day to day financial activities such as data entry to month end management accounts and / or year-end financial statements. In addition, the individual may find themselves involved in regulatory financial requirements for the HMRC such as the completion of VAT returns.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship, the individual will gain the AAT level 3 qualification and will be able to progress onto the AAT level 4 qualification / Professional Accounting Technician apprenticeship level 4 to further develop their accounting skills.

Business Administrator Level 3

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship would be suitable to an individual who is working within an office environment where they are processing data, using a variety of IT and CRM systems, communicating with customers and / or stakeholders, booking appointments and possibly financial duties.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship, the individual will gain valuable skills and knowledge of business fundamentals, effective stakeholder and project management as well as excellent interpersonal skills that will support their teams and organisation. The progression route for the individual could be to work towards a team leader or other first line management positions.

Team Leader or Supervisor Level 3

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship would be suitable to an individual who is working in a first line management role who wants to further develop their leadership skills and improve their workplace performance.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship, the individual will develop a range of essential management skills they can apply in their workplace, understand management theories to support their own practice and to build leadership capabilities to motivate teams and drive business.

Operations or Departmental Manager Level 5

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship would be suitable for an individual who is responsible for duties such as; creating and delivering operational plans, managing projects, leading teams, managing change and financial and resource management. Responsibilities could also include talent management, coaching and mentoring. Suitable job roles may include: Operations, Regional, Divisional or Department Managers and specialist managers.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship, the individual will develop into a stronger leader with a range of essential management skills that they can apply in their workplace such as understanding of management theories, conflict resolution and to build leadership capabilities to motivate teams and drive business further.

Coaching Professional Level 5

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship would be suitable for an individual who throughout their day-to-day role has the responsibility for coaching and mentoring others. Such roles could consist of: Business Coach, Career Coach, Coach, Coaching Practitioner, Coaching Professional, Leadership Coach, Performance Coach, Systemic Coach, Team Coach, Wellbeing Coach.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship, the individual will develop the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding to effectively coach others within an organisational. They will also have the opportunity to further develop communication and language as well as personal and professional strengths. The individual could progress further within their coaching practice and/or into roles that are supported by a coaching approach and culture, and onto other higher level coaching qualifications.

Customer Service Practitioner

Level 2

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship would suit an individual working in a junior customer service role which would include: dealing with orders, payments, offering advice, guidance and support, meet-and-greet, sales, fixing problems, after care, service recovery or gaining insight through measuring customer satisfaction.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship, the individual will develop excellent customer service skills and behaviours as well as product and / or service knowledge. They will also understand the relevant legislation and regulatory requirements as well as gaining confidence when dealing with their customers and being able to provide them with a quality experience. The individual can progress onto the Customer Service Specialist level 3 apprenticeship.

Customer Service Specialist Level 3

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship would suit an individual who’s job role consists of acting as a referral point for dealing with more complex and technical queries or complaints from customers. They will have an expert knowledge of their companies’ products and/or services.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship, the individual will develop their business strategy knowledge and further enhance the customer experience. They will develop an in depth understanding of internal and external customer behaviour and what drives loyalty, retention and satisfaction. They will also have the skills to analyse information to provide customer insight to their business. The individual can look to progress to a supervisory or management position within the customer service sector.

I found being on the course fun and interesting. The training provider made the sessions very interactive and it was nice to have discussions with the group and understand how other schools work. My tutor was very approachable, supportive and helpful.

Marie Maduro, School Business Manager

School Business Professional Level 4

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship would suit an individual who works within a school setting who performs a role which is unique to schools, such as administering and managing the financial, site and support services within the school context and provide essential support to school leadership teams, implementing their financial and business decisions.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship, the individual will enhance their professional development by being able manage school resources more efficiently and effectively, evaluate the nature of school business operations within the school setting and gain specialist expertise in leading support services.

I.T and Facilities

I.T Solutions Technician Level 3

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship would suit an individual who works as a: Junior Support Analyst, IT Support Analyst, Systems Analyst, IT Technical Support, IT Systems Support Technician, Junior DevOps Professional, IT Service Desk, Technical Service Support or Software Support Technician.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship, the individual benefits by being able to work independently by taking responsibility and initiative as appropriate. They will also be able to demonstrate standard business courtesies and professional ethics when working effectively with customers, clients, and users and demonstrate a productive and organised approach to their work. Progression for the individual would be to a higher level qualification within the IT sector.

Facilities Services Operative

Level 2

Roles suitable

This apprenticeship would suit an individual who works supporting hard facilities management functions such as maintenance and engineering, and soft facilities management such as cleaning, catering, front-of-house logistics and/ or post-room services in a range of environments such as schools, residential developments and commercial properties, hospitals or retail centres and industrial locations.

Benefits and progression

By undertaking this apprenticeship, the individual will develop the skills to work efficiently and professionally with a high degree of competence. Progression would be to undertake the Facilities Management Supervisor level 3 apprenticeship.

Levels

Level 2 is designed for new entrants

Level 3 assumes prior achievement at level 2 or previous study/work in relevant subject area

Levels 4 and 5 are higher level programmes designed for those already working in the sector and looking to develop their skills up to and including degree level.

Coming soon

•

Facilities Management Supervisor Level 3

Details of these apprenticeships can be found on our website: aclessex.com/apprenticeships

Apprenticeship fact or fiction

Apprenticeships are only for young people or school leavers!

Apprenticeships can be started by anyone aged 16 or over and not in full time education.

Apprenticeships are not just for those starting out in their career, learners may be looking for a career change, trying to upskill, perhaps secure a new role or just received a promotion.

Apprenticeships are only for new members of staff!

Apprenticeships are for both existing members of staff as well as new employees. You may be looking to upskill your staff or to fill a position. Apprenticeships start at a level 2 and go up to a level 7.

We do not pay into the levy so cannot access funding to pay for apprenticeships! Schools can access the levy funding whether they be part of an academy, voluntary aided or voluntary controlled. Depending on your status will depend on where the levy is drawn down from. Please contact us for your individualised support.

Apprenticeships are for those who didn’t do well in school!

Apprenticeships are more hands on and may suit your style of learning better. Some apprentices choose to complete a degree apprenticeship rather than university, as it allows them to gain the academic qualification as well as the work experience

Employer Case Study

Michelle Westpfel, Director of Finance and Operations at St Thomas More High School, Westcliff-on-Sea

How has ACL Essex supported the school with your apprenticeships?

ACL has been a massive support to us with apprentices helping with any issues that arise and supporting in person in the school with meetings, they have worked well with us and the apprentices to gain a successful completion of the apprenticeship route.

How do you find apprenticeships have benefitted your school workforce?

They have become part of the school team and helped us to cope with the forever growing workload.

How did you find the support from the delivery team for your apprentices?

The delivery team offer an excellent service in recruitment of the apprentices and helping us with all the relevant paperwork.

What are your school’s future plans on offering apprenticeships?

We will as apprentices complete the course look to recruit further apprentices and if vacancies arise consider the apprenticeship route.

Marie’s Story

Did you enjoy it, even if some parts were challenging?

I currently work for Little Stars Nursery. Yes, it was challenging juggling around my work and homelife but I also feel it was a great achievement which I can be proud of.

What benefits did the course bring you during your study?

It built my confidence and I found the course quite reassuring. I do know what I’m talking about and I am following the correct procedure and process.

Why did you first want to do the course?

I chose an ACL apprenticeship as I had been working as an Office & Finance Manager for 2 years and by completing the School Business Professional qualification I felt that I would have more confidence and gain more knowledge on the role of a School Business Manager.

How did you find actually being on the course? The study, the support, the delivery etc.

I found being on the course fun and interesting. The training provider made the sessions very interactive and it was nice to have discussions with the group and understand how other schools work. My tutor was very approachable, supportive and helpful.

What benefits have you gained since completing the course?

On completion of the course I was promoted to the School Business Manager and I have been working in this role for 2 years now. I feel happy and confident in my role and through the research methods during my time of studying, I feel as though I know where to look for more guidance and information if there is anything that I am unsure of. I also have a support network from other schools who attended the course with me.

More success stories: aclessex.com/education

Levy Funding and how it works

Levy

If your school pays into a levy account through your PAYE, this will be used to pay for your apprentice’s training. If you are unsure of how to access your levy account, ACL will support with this process.

Non-Levy

If your school is a non-levy employer (payroll bill of less than £3mil per annum), you will pay 5% towards the cost of the apprentices’ training and the Government will fund the rest however, if the apprentice is under 19 years of age, you will not have to pay for any of their training (if you employ less than 50 people).

Levy Transfer

ACL can also support you to secure levy transfer which would negate the need for you to pay the 5% co-investment if applicable.

What is a levy transfer?

Apprenticeships can be funded by a levy paying (large) employer who are able to transfer up to 25% of their unused levy to a different employer to utilise.

These transferred funds can be used to pay for 100% of the training and assessment costs of the apprenticeship up to the funding band maximum. The transferred funds cover the cost of the whole duration of the apprenticeship.

ACL Essex will help and support with all levy processes and will be happy to explain in greater details depending on your schools circumstances such as Voluntary Aided and Voluntary Controlled settings.

For more information please visit our website aclessex.com/employer or contact us 03330 139 502 or email ECCtrainingforschools@essex.gov.uk

Level 2 and Level 3 Certificates for Continuing Professional Development

The following accredited courses are available for individuals wishing to undertake CPD activity to improve their knowledge in a specific area.

Courses are delivered online with full tutor support. Each qualification varies in duration but typically they will take between 3 and 6 months to complete.

Level 2

• Adverse Childhood Experiences

• Behaviour that Challenges

• Common Childhood Illnesses

• Understanding Mental health for Children and Young People

• Understand Mental health for early years

• Equality & Diversity

• Introducing Caring for Children & Young People

• Specific Learning Difficulties

• Team Leading

• Understanding Autism

• Care & Management of Diabetes

Level 3

• Principles of SEN

• Technology in Childcare and Education

Upon completion you will receive an NCFE accredited Level 2 or 3 Certificate in your chosen subject area

New this year: we have launched our Access to Higher Education for Teaching, which is equivalent to three A-Levels and only takes one year to complete. This course enables those who are interested in a career in teaching to go to university or further their studies.

Tutor-Led Courses

Our extensive range of tutor-led courses run from our ACL centres. You can find us in Basildon, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Harlow, Maldon, Witham, and online.

Classes are available daytimes, evenings and weekends. Start dates vary according to programme type. Prices depend on the prior attainment of the learner.

• Support Work in Schools

Level 2 | 30 term time weeks

• Support Teaching and Learning in Schools Level 2 | 30 term time weeks

For a full list of our qualifications and courses please visit our website

• Certificate in Coaching & Mentoring

Level 3 | 16 weeks

• AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians)

Level 2, 3 & 4 | Typically 12 months

• Counselling Level 2 & 3 | 12-24 months

• British Sign Language & Makaton Beginner and advanced | Duration varies

• Foreign Languages

Range of levels | Durations vary

• First Aid Range of Levels | Durations vary

• SEN Support Durations vary

Maths, English, Science & Digital

ACL Essex is dedicated to improving the maths, English, science and digital skills of everyone with courses suitable for all levels.

Most maths and English courses are fully funded so there would be no charge to the school or the learner.

Our assessment team would agree the best starting point for the individual and provide the necessary support needed to achieve either a Functional Skill or GCSE Qualification.

Having staff who are confident in their maths, English and digital abilities supports not only their own career progression but also the quality of support that they provide to their pupils.

We also offer GCSE Biology and Physics qualifications that are suitable for those seeking a career as a Primary School Teacher and requiring a GCSE in Science.

aclessex.com/essential-skills

0345 603 7635

Our Digital Skills courses are great for those looking to navigate the online world, improve work and technical skills, and get the guidance you need to feel more comfortable on your device.

• GCSE Computer Science

• IT Microsoft Office

• Let’s Get Digital

• Essential Digital Skills

• Digital Qualifications

• Digital Champions

Visit the website to find out which course is best for you: aclessex.com/digital

Financial help and support

Financial help and support is available to individuals who enrol onto accredited courses.

New and existing Schools and Education employees could receive fully-funded training.

The learner could receive help with travel and equipment, e.g. a laptop, childcare and books.

You could receive help with travel and equipment, e.g. a laptop, childcare and books.

Maths and English courses including GCSEs could be free if the learner does not have a C/4 grade or equivalent.

Essential Digital Skills programmes could be free for those with basic IT skills assessed below level 1.

Our teams will support you through the application process and discuss the financial help available to you.

Community & Family Learning

We work in partnership with schools, pre-schools, nurseries, community organisations and partners that support families to learn together.

We offer FREE interactive courses to support a parent, grandparent or caring for a child or young person from your school community. Courses are delivered online live and face to face at various locations across Essex and some flexible learning classes. All courses are non-judgemental, supportive learning sessions facilitated to support your family’s journey.

• Understanding Maths and English

• Emotional wellbeing

• Financial wellbeing

• Parenting

• Early Years

• Family wellbeing

• Qualification and Employment

• Specialist Workshops

• SEND (supporting parents who have children with additional needs)

aclessex.com/community-family-learning

03330 321 017

Join our Facebook or Instagram Group: Search for ‘ACL Essex Community & Family Learning’

Parent Ambassador training and volunteering programme

Our Parent Ambassador programme is designed to develop and enhance a school’s engagement with the local community.

This in turn benefits the school by developing communication links, building trust and also to encourage parents to engage and take advantage of volunteering opportunities within the school. Whether that be through reading with children, sharing a talent such as cooking, crafting, maths or English skills, helping with fundraising events or even enabling the school to make beneficial connections with local businesses.

This program has successfully helped schools to positively engage with the local community whilst raising awareness of support as well as valuable information and guidance that’s available for parents to develop their own skills.

aclessex.com/parent-ambassador

Investing in staff training and apprenticeships is the perfect way to develop an efficient and skilled workforce.

Any questions or ready to apply?

Email: ECCtrainingforschools@essex.gov.uk

Call: 03330 139 502

You can also visit our website: www.aclessex.com/education

Our Centres

ACL Basildon

Churchill Avenue, Broadmayne, Basildon, SS14 3SG

ACL Chelmsford

Beeches Close, Chelmsford, CM1 2SB

ACL Brentwood

Bishops Hill, Rayleigh Road, Hutton, Brentwood, CM13 1BD

ACL Clacton St Osyth Road, Clacton, CO15 3BN

ACL Colchester Wilson Marriage, Barrack Street, Colchester, CO1 2LR

ACL Harlow The Harlow Centre, Partridge Rd, Harlow, Essex, CM18 6TE

ACL Maldon Carmelite House

(above the library), White Horse Lane, Maldon, CM9 5FW

ACL Witham Spinks Lane, Witham, CM8 1EP