STLC2 – VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF)

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.

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 numberQualification reference
STLC2 600/2606/6 

Group A – mandatory units

RQF
unit no.
Skillsfirst
unit no.
Unit titleCredit 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 titleCredit 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 titleCredit 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 titleEquivalent 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 titleWBA
unit no.
 Y/601/7416 STL70 Invigilate tests and examinations A/104/0197

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