New College Durham is proud to announce a collaboration with the New College Durham Academies Trust (NCDAT) to address the growing demand for skilled teaching assistants in the region. This partnership aims to equip individuals interested in pursuing a career in education with the knowledge, qualifications, and firsthand experience needed to excel in the field.
NCDAT is an established Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) comprising of both primary and secondary schools. Its key mission and that of all its schools is to ‘provide the best education in order to empower learners, improve lives, and strengthen communities.’
The comprehensive training programme includes a five-week course, held Monday to Wednesday, which covers key skills and qualifications for aspiring teaching assistants. Following the training, participants will gain additional invaluable experience in one of the seven schools within the Trust, ensuring they are well-prepared for future roles. Upon completion, graduates will be ready to apply for teaching assistant positions either within the Trust’s schools or at other educational establishments across the region.
Lisa Waller, Director of Business Development (Sales and Growth) at New College Durham, shared her excitement about the initiative:
“We are delighted to be working with the New College Durham Academies Trust, designing a programme that truly meets the needs of aspiring teaching assistants. The hands-on work experience, which is also provided as part of this initiative, is invaluable, as it is often a key requirement for those looking to secure this type of role. Participants will benefit enormously from this experience, which will help open doors to meaningful employment opportunities.”
The first two Teaching Assistant Academies will be hosted at North Durham Academy, Stanley, and Wellfield School, Wingate, beginning on Monday, 23rd September.
To help interested individuals learn more, information and enrolment sessions will be held at North Durham Academy on 17th September from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, and at Wellfield School on 18th September from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.
To secure a spot or learn more about the programme, contact enquiries.training@newdur.ac.uk
This initiative not only supports the career ambitions of aspiring teaching assistants but also helps to address a current critical skills gap in the education sector by ensuring that schools across County Durham have access to the qualified support staff they need.
Pictured (left to right): Helen Witty (Director of SEND at NCDAT), Linda Rodham (CEO at NCDAT), Lisa Waller (Director of Business Development, Sales and Growth at NCD)
