Laura Smith recently completed Aspire 2Be’s Supporting Teaching & Learning qualification after being given the opportunity to enrol by the Head of Education at TYB, following the success of previous teaching assistants who had undertaken the course.
For Laura, the qualification felt particularly meaningful, as education and its impact on young people — especially those with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) — strongly resonated with her on both a professional and personal level. She saw the course as an opportunity to deepen her knowledge, strengthen her practice, and continue progressing in her career while remaining in work.
As she progressed through the qualification, Laura found that the learning reinforced the theories and practices already used in her role, while also helping her build greater confidence. The course encouraged her to become more self-reflective and broadened her subject knowledge, giving her a wider range of approaches to support young people effectively. This deeper understanding has helped her feel better equipped to create learning environments where every learner feels valued and respected both in school and in the wider community.
One of the most valuable aspects of the qualification for Laura was its inclusive and flexible approach to assessment. Rather than relying solely on written work, the course also allowed learners to demonstrate their knowledge through recorded discussions and on-site observations. For Laura, this made the learning experience more manageable and accessible, reducing pressure and enabling her to show her understanding in ways that suited her best.
Laura spoke highly of her Trainer Coach, Julia, describing her as knowledgeable, genuinely supportive and always available to provide guidance when needed. Alongside this, Laura found Smart Assessor easy to navigate, making it simple to track progress, upload and amend work, and access resources at any time. This flexibility proved especially important when she had to take significant time off due to surgery, yet was still able to complete the course two months ahead of schedule.
Overall, the qualification has had a positive impact on Laura’s professional development, strengthening both her confidence and her ability to support young people effectively. For her, the course has provided valuable knowledge, practical strategies and a flexible learning experience that worked around real-life commitments without compromising on quality. She would readily recommend it to anyone looking for an enriching and adaptable route into professional development within education.
