Qualification summary

The VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) has been designed to meet the needs of all those working in a school support staff role, including those whose role does not involve directly supporting pupils’ learning, such as administrative, catering and site staff. It seeks to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding that learners working in a school setting will need and covers areas such as safeguarding, communication and understanding the school context.

There is a wide range of optional units covering different aspects of supporting teaching and learning, which allows the learner a choice to select units in a specialist area, or to spread their choice of units across several specialist areas.

Learners achieving the Level 2 qualification can progress on to higher level qualifications including the Skillsfirst Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools. Learners achieving the Level 3 qualification can progress on to a foundation degree e.g. for teaching assistants or supporting teaching and learning training and/or assessment against the Higher Level Teaching Assistant professional standards to achieve HLTA status.

This qualification is applicable to learning support staff whose responsibilities at work are closely supervised. Other progression routes include employment opportunities existing within primary, special and secondary schools in both the state and independent sectors. Opportunities also exist to move into other roles across the wider children’s workforce e.g. child care, play work or youth work.

Related Documents:

VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) Handbook

Qualification structure

A learner must complete 30 credits to achieve this qualification.

All 24 credits must be taken from Group A.

A maximum of 3 credits must be taken from Group B – 1 unit

A minimum of 3 credits must be taken from Group C – 1 unit

Guided Learning Hours (GLH) are 180

Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 300

Qualification number	Qualification reference
STLC2	600/2606/6

Group A – mandatory units

RQF unit no.	Skillsfirst unit no.	Unit title	Credit value
H/601/3305	TDA21	Child and young person development	2
K/601/3323	TDA22	Safeguarding the welfare of children and young people	3
F//601/3313	STL01	Communication and professional relationships with children, young people and adults	2
D/601/3321	STL02	Equality, diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people	2
T/601/7391	STL03	Help improve own and team practice in schools	3
D/601/7403	TDA27	Maintain and support relationships with children and young people	3
T/601/7410	STL04	Support children and young people’s health and safety	3
T/601/7407	TDA29	Support children and young people’s positive behaviour	2
A/601/7411	STL05	Support learning activities	4

Group B – specific optional units

RQF unit no.	Skillsfirst unit no.	Unit title	Credit value
T/601/3325	STL06	Schools as organisations (Level 2)	3
A/601/3326	STL07	Schools as organisations (Level 3)	3

Group C – general optional units

RQF unit no.	Skillsfirst unit no.	Unit title	Credit value
L/601/7414	STL08	Contribute to supporting bilingual learners	2
Y/601/7416	STL70	Invigilate tests and examinations	3
D/601/7417	STL09	Prepare and maintain learning environments	3
K/601/6500	STL10	Provide displays in schools	3
A/601/4072	STL11	Support assessment for learning	4
A/601/6517	TDA214	Support children and young people at meal or snack times	3
D/601/6526	TDA215	Support children and young people with disabilities and special educational needs	4
T/601/6564	TDA216	Support children and young people’s play and leisure	3
Y/601/6573	STL12	Support children and young people’s travel outside of the setting	3
M/601/6577	STL13	Support extracurricular activities	3
A/601/6579	STL14	Support the use of information and communication technology for teaching and learning	2
J/601/8027	HSC2028	Move and position individuals in accordance with their plan of care	4
D/601/9023	HSC2001	Provide support for therapy sessions	2

Credits from equivalent units

Skillsfirst unit no.		Equivalent unit title	Equivalent unit no.
STL03	Equivalent to	Help to improve own practice and the work of the playwork team	H/600/9528
TDA27	Equivalent to	Support relationships in the play environment	T/600/9520
STL12	Equivalent to	Support the travel of children and young people outside the play environment	M/600/9547

Exempted unit title

QCF unit no.	Skillsfirst unit no.	Exempted unit title	WBA unit no.
Y/601/7416	STL70	Invigilate tests and examinations	A/104/0197

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