Minister for school standards Catherine McKinnell visits pioneering Bishop’s Stortford primary school Manor Fields
Minister for school standards Catherine McKinnell visited Manor Fields school in Bishop’s Stortford to learn about a pioneering apprenticeship scheme.
The Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North was given a tour of the Penningtons primary on Thorley Park and met teaching assistant (TA) apprentices to discuss their training, development and progression, specifically through the new Level 5 Specialist TA apprenticeship.
The first cohort of 50, including staff at Manor Fields, started their training in January.
The course enables teaching assistants to upskill, progress and specialise in areas like SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), the social and emotional wellbeing of pupils or curriculum provision.
Ms McKinnell, who was accompanied by Hertford and Stortford MP Josh Dean, said: “Our wonderful teaching assistants and school support staff play a vital role in the smooth running of our schools and in our mission to drive high and rising standards, so all children achieve and thrive.
“Apprenticeships are a brilliant way for schools to recruit the skilled teaching assistants they need, and they are a great way for individuals to gain the skills and experience needed to get into the profession and progress in their careers.”
Manor Fields head Helen Smith said: “Making adaptations to learning so that all our pupils, regardless of their starting points, can make progress is a priority for us.
“There is such huge value in the apprenticeship programme – both as a means of attracting new staff and as a way of investing in our current staff members, developing and retaining talent within the school.
“We are so proud to be one of the first schools in the country offering the Specialist Level 5 apprenticeship programme, continuing our valued partnership with Educational and Sporting Futures.”
Natasha Smith, one of the apprentices, said: “There were some big challenges for me, starting an apprenticeship, having left school learning behind a long time ago. However, I have had an incredible amount of support both from my work colleagues and the Educational and Sporting Futures team.
“It has given me the confidence to continue to my Level 5 Specialist Apprenticeship. It’s crucial that schools support staff to upskill. We must keep learning, improving and challenging ourselves as well as our children.”
Manor Fields is part of the Herts and Essex Multi-Academy Trust with the Hertfordshire and Essex High School in Warwick Road.
