Description
NCFE CACHE Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges
- £261
- *Prices shown are all-inclusive of VAT—no extra charges!
- Priority Track option available
Why Study with us?
- Priority-track assessments and workbook marking
- For future teaching assistants and school or college support staff aged 16+
- Flexible, self-paced study – most learners finish in 2–4 months
- Courses designed and assessed by subject-qualified industry trainers and assessors
- One-to-one live sessions (if desired) with expert tutors
Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges Course Overview
The NCFE CACHE Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges is an Ofqual-regulated, knowledge-only qualification for anyone aged 16 or over who is thinking about working in a primary or secondary school, a sixth form or a further education college. It suits every kind of support role, from teaching assistants and learning support staff to receptionists, administrators, site staff, technicians and volunteers, because everyone who works in a school or college shares responsibility for keeping young people safe.
You will learn how schools and colleges are organised and run, how children and young people develop, how to communicate and build professional relationships with pupils, students and adults, and how to support children and young people’s health and safety. You will also study safeguarding, and equality, diversity and inclusion. Unlike our Focus Awards Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools, this NCFE CACHE award covers colleges as well as schools, so it is a good fit if you are interested in further education or working with older students.
Career Opportunities in Support Work in Schools and Colleges
This award gives you the background knowledge that schools and colleges expect from new support staff, which can strengthen applications for entry-level roles such as teaching assistant, learning support assistant, midday supervisor, exam invigilator, school or college administrator, site assistant or technician, and for volunteering roles. It is not a licence to practise, and employers will still carry out their own recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check for most roles.
If you want to work in the classroom, the next step is our Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools, which develops your practice and requires you to be working or volunteering in a school. NCFE designed this award to share its mandatory units with its own Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning, so the knowledge you gain carries straight into that next step. Later, the Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools builds deeper knowledge for more experienced teaching assistants.
Do I need a work placement to complete this course?
No. NCFE describes this as a knowledge-only qualification, so you do not need to be working in a school or college or completing a placement, and you complete all your assignments online. If you later move on to the Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools, you will need to be working or volunteering in a school for that qualification.
There are no exams. Each unit is internally assessed through coursework that builds into a portfolio – written assignments and tasks such as designing a leaflet or booklet, or producing charts and diagrams – and NCFE externally quality assures the results. The award is graded Achieved or Not Yet Achieved. Assignments are marked within 3–5 working days, or 1–3 working days on Priority Track.
You complete six mandatory units.
Unit 01: Understand Schools and Colleges as Organisations
Unit 02: Understand Children and Young People’s Development
Unit 03: Understand Communication and Professional Relationships with Children, Young People and Adults
Unit 04: Understand Children and Young People’s Health and Safety
Unit 05: Safeguarding Children and Young People
Unit 06: Understand Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Work with Children and Young People
The award has 90 guided learning hours (GLH) and a total qualification time (TQT) of 120 hours. Study is self-paced, and most learners complete it in 2–4 months. Your enrolment includes 12 months’ access to the learning platform and tutor support from the date you enrol; if you need more time, you can extend your access for a re-enrolment fee.
Qualification Number: 603/2478/8
NCFE is an Awarding Organisation regulated by Ofqual, ensuring that all qualifications adhere to rigorous standards.
Vocational Courses we offer in Bundle
Pricing Plans
Standard One Time Purchase
Make a single payment, and you're all set to begin your learning journey.
£261*inc. VAT
- OfQual-approved qualification
- 24/7 access to LMS and unlimited tutor support
- Transparent pricing, no hidden charges
- Start when you're ready with a full year of access.
- Unlimited revisions
- Receive feedback within 3 – 5 working days
Standard Monthly
Spread the cost of £300.12 (inc. VAT) with convenient monthly payments over 6 months.
£50.02*inc. VAT
per month
Priority Track One Time Purchase
Make a single payment, and you're all set to begin your learning journey.
£300*inc. VAT
- OfQual-approved qualification
- 24/7 access to LMS and unlimited tutor support
- Transparent pricing, no hidden charges
- Start when you're ready with a full year of access.
- Unlimited revisions
- Receive feedback within 1 – 3 working days
Priority Track Monthly
Spread the cost of £345.00 (inc. VAT) with convenient monthly payments over 6 months.
£57.50*inc. VAT
per month
Discounted Business/Corporate Purchases
Enjoy Bulk Discounts
The following bulk discounts are applicable to our corporate clients:
5% for booking 3 learners
10% for booking 5 or more learners
15% for booking 10 or more learners
For enquiries, please contact our sales team at +44 20 8178 4802
Flexible Payment Options
Take advantage of a 30-day payment term when buying 5 or more courses. Please note that an upfront payment will be required unless you are a regular buyer.
Course reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
It is for anyone aged 16 or over who wants to work, or is about to start work, in a school or college – as a teaching or learning support assistant, or in an administrative, site, technical or volunteer role. It also suits parents returning to work, career changers and people already in these roles who want a recognised qualification.
It is a good place to start. If you are looking for a teaching assistant course at Level 2 but are not yet working in a school, this award gives you the essential knowledge without a placement. It is broader than a teaching assistant qualification, though, as it covers all support roles in schools and colleges. To have your classroom practice assessed, you would move on to the Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.
They are two different qualifications from different awarding bodies. This award is from NCFE CACHE and covers schools and colleges, including further education settings, with six mandatory units and a total qualification time of 120 hours. Our Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools is awarded by Focus Awards and focuses on school settings. Choose this one if you are interested in working in a college or with older students, or if you would like an NCFE CACHE certificate.
No. You do not need a DBS check to study this award because it does not involve a placement. If you go on to work or volunteer in a school or college, your employer will normally ask you to complete an enhanced DBS check before you start.
Most learners complete the award in 2–4 months, depending on how much time they can give each week. You have 12 months’ access from enrolment, and you can extend your access for a re-enrolment fee if you need more time.
You must be aged 16 or over. NCFE does not set any other entry requirements – you just need basic reading and writing skills and access to a device with an internet connection.
No. There are no fixed deadlines for individual assignments, so you can study at your own pace as long as you complete the course within your access period.
This qualification is awarded by NCFE, an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, under its CACHE brand for care, education and early years qualifications. On successful completion you will receive an NCFE CACHE certificate.
Qualification Number: 603/2478/8
If you still have any questions, please refer to our main FAQs page or contact us for further assistance.
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