Courses to work in schools, education or childcare 

Our free courses * can help you get ahead if you’re looking to work in a school, college or childcare provider. From exploring different jobs working with children to getting the job you want, we’ve got you covered. We have government-funded online courses for teaching assistants and nursery courses.  

Skip to courses

Working with children and young people

Find out about the wide range of jobs available in schools and build the skills you need to kickstart your career. Working in schools can be very rewarding. From lunchtime supervisors to teaching assistants, you’ll have a positive impact on young people’s lives.  

From helping out in schools to paid work

These courses are useful if you are volunteering or plan to work in education, as they help you gain more knowledge. We do a range of courses from short tasters to a free Level two teaching assistant qualification. 

Start a career in childcare

Explore work in childcare and discover the range of roles you can do in a childcare setting. Learn about early years education and what it is like to work with children. Find courses near you or look at our range of online childcare courses.  

Give yourself a boost

Build skills for childcare and schools. Develop your knowledge of special education needs (SEN), so you can support children with autism in education. Give yourself a boost when looking for dinner lady jobs or other jobs in a school.  

Jobseekers, career changers, and those already working in schools or nurseries - find your course today to build your skills. 

*Over 90% of applicants for skills courses do not need to pay a fee. Subject to status - courses are free for unemployed people, job seekers and people on low wage. If you do not qualify you will be alerted during the application process.

Please enter your postcode

In order for us to give you accurate results for your courses, please click on the Search options and enter your postcode and the mile radius for your search.

Refine search

How you'll learn

Your location

Please enter your postcode or town for your search in the boxes below.

We have defaulted the search to ten miles, but you can change this number in the box as you wish.

Sort by start date

Choose to sort the course start date in ascending order (furthest away dates first) or descending (most recent dates first)

Results per page

Days

Other Filters

Part of day
Level of study
Availability
Search for the branch name/location, without adding branch e.g. Barnet

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning Level 3

Get a teaching qualification and prepare to work in a variety of roles in education. Gain understanding of the knowledge and skills needed to work directly with children and young people. This qualification is for supporting teaching and learning in schools and colleges. You’ll learn core teaching skills that can be applied in various jobs. Some options include learning assistant, teaching assistant, or special needs assistant. It trains you to become a learning support practitioner. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 06/11/2024 -
Wed 12/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
17 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kailash Parekh
Course code:
Q00015527
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £450.00

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

T000188

Having a child or loved one receive an autism diagnosis can be worrying and unsettling. It’s difficult to know how best to support autistic children’s needs without external guidance. This autism course can teach you how to offer support to help autistic young people live healthy and fulfilling lives. This taster course is ideal for you if you have regular contact with autistic children or teenagers. It is aimed at parents, family members, community workers, or volunteers who interact closely with autistic kids. It can be useful both if you are going through diagnosis, and also if you feel you need extra resources to help support a developing autistic child.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 11/11/2024 -
Wed 12/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Natasha Abrams
Course code:
Q00017617
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges Level 2

If you enjoy the buzz of learning environments, this qualification can teach you key skills for employment in a school or college. This government-funded course prepares you for a variety of roles. It provides the basic skills and knowledge necessary to work in admin, technical, or support roles in a learning environment. Studying support work in schools at level 2 can be a first step towards working with kids in teaching positions. It also provides you with the qualifications needed to work in admin at schools. No matter what role you’re interested in, this course can teach you skills for employability in schools and colleges.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 27/11/2024 -
Wed 25/06/2025
Times:
9:30am - 3:00pm
Duration:
28 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Bimbola Olawanle
Course code:
Q00017469
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Preparing for the Support Role in Schools L2 Qualification

Have you completed an introductory or a Level 1 helping in schools’ course? Then this introductory course is right for you. It will provide you with the necessary knowledge and study skills needed to prepare you for a Level 2 course. It will also provide you with the opportunity to practice using study skills such as quizzes, case studies and related texts. You will get the chance to discuss new topics with other learners and, ask and answer questions. You will also be given a brief outline of what you will learn on your course. Your tutor will give you constructive feedback to ensure you are ready for your next stage of learning.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 12/12/2024 -
Thu 19/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 1:15pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Bimbola Olawanle
Course code:
Q00017421
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £27.75



The courses below have already started, but are still available to book.

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Managing Challenging Behaviour for Support Staff

As someone who works with children, it's likely that you have encountered challenging behaviour at some point in your career. It can be difficult to know how to deal with this sort of behaviour - research by the Department for Education in 2019 showed that it is a major reason for teachers to leave the profession. However, with the right knowledge and techniques - and the understanding that there is usually an underlying cause that needs to be identified and supported - you can handle challenging behaviour effectively, appropriately, and confidently.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 28/06/2024 -
Fri 28/06/2024
Times:
9:30am - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Camborne Centenary Chapel (Camborne)
Wesley Street
Camborne
TR14 8HS
Tutor:
Pamela Rozentals
Course code:
Q00014575
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee range
Free to £25.20