Weston College – Working in Schools & Education

This free intensive two-week online course helps adults aged 19+ prepare for a career in education. The course offers the opportunity to achieve four recognised qualifications, helping you build a strong CV and demonstrate your commitment to working with children and young people.

No previous qualifications are required, just a genuine interest in working with children and supporting their learning. A key focus is safeguarding and child protection, helping you understand your responsibilities as a trusted adult and how to support learners safely and effectively.

What you’ll learn

• How schools operate and the different types of education settings in the UK
• Child development from birth to age 18
• How to communicate effectively with children, young people and adults
• How to support children’s physical and emotional wellbeing
• Safeguarding responsibilities in education
• How to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns
• The Prevent Duty and how it applies in education
• Workplace behaviours and expectations
• Essential employability and soft skills valued by employers
• Job hunting and interview preparation for education settings

What you’ll do

Have the opportunity to achieve the following qualifications:

• NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Schools
• NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Understanding Safeguarding in Education and Childcare Settings
• Gateway Entry Level 3 Award in Prevent Duty Awareness
• Gateway Level 1 Certificate in Employability Skills

What happens next

You will gain confidence, employability skills and practical knowledge to support your next steps into education and childcare. The course can help you progress into entry-level roles in schools, including classroom support and teaching assistant pathways, or move on to further study in education and childcare. You will also have access to careers advice, guidance and support throughout the course.