Education Support Assistance PDA (for Classroom Assistants) (SCQF 6)

Course description

This SCQF Level 6 course is designed for people who would like to work as a classroom assistant/education support assistant.

Education support assistants are generally employed in schools to support the work of class teachers in learning activities. Education support assistants are often involved in supporting and supervising tasks set by teachers to individuals and groups of pupils including learners with a range of additional support needs. This can be in primary schools, secondary schools, special schools, and sometimes in the early learning and childcare sector.

Placements can be in a Primary or Secondary school. We work closely with applicants to identify their preferences to find the most suitable match.

We work in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council to arrange placements in special schools in Edinburgh, working with children with a wide range of additional support needs.

This course is also designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to progress onto higher level courses, for example, the HNC Childhood Practice (Primary School Teaching Focus). 

The classes will normally be delivered one day on-campus and one day online with two days on placement.

Students studying childcare courses will need to apply for a PVG The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme - mygov.scot, which will be arranged through Edinburgh College, once your place on the course is confirmed. 

The PDA Education Support Assistance Group Award allows registration with the Scottish Social Services Council at the Support Worker Level.

On meeting the entry requirements, we will arrange an individual induction meeting (online or in campus) to discuss the course, placement requirements and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to meeting you.

To help prepare you for your course and share further information we have created an online notice board. This will be regularly updated until the course starts in August.

PDA ESA Pre-course Padlet

What you will learn

Students will achieve the nationally recognised SQA Professional Development Award (PDA) Education Support Assistance at SCQF Level 6.

You will learn:

• How to work effectively with a class teacher
• How to support children with additional support needs, classroom organisation and administrative tasks
• You will take part in a work placement that will enable you to put these skills and learning into practice

Subjects include:

• Child development
• Supporting behaviour in an educational setting.
• Supporting children and young people who require additional support for learning
• Supporting children with autism
• Developing professional practice in an educational setting
• Children's rights.

The course will also include the following essential Core Skills which are necessary for this role:

• Communication
• Numeracy (SCQF 5)

Learning outcome

• HNC Childhood Practice (SCQF Level 7) (Primary School Teacher Focus)
• If you have Higher English and National 5 maths, you may consider applying for primary school teacher training at university
• Suitability for progression will be determined by achievement including the workplace element, attendance record, conduct and a successful progression discussion

• Classroom Assistant role in primary, secondary, or special schools
• Eligible for registration with the SSSC as a Support Worker
• Registered SSSC Support Workers can also be employed in playgroups, private nurseries, out-of-school care, and play schemes