Inside the apprenticeships inbox, your questions answered

More than nine hundred educators have started their Thrive apprenticeship journey so far. It’s a big number, but what matters more is why they join. Most are looking for a practical, funded way to build their expertise in social and emotional wellbeing, try Thrive in a real setting, and earn a nationally recognised qualification along the way.

Connie, who spends a lot of time speaking with people at the very start of this journey, has pulled together a list of the most commonly asked questions. If you are curious but still hesitating, you’re in the right place!

 

1. Am I eligible based on my job role?

Eligibility depends on the type of role you’re in and the responsibilities you hold, but the basics are simple. You need to work at least 16 hours a week in a permanent role. We can’t support fixed term or temporary contracts.

For the Wellbeing Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship, applicants usually work in an educational support role and spend most of their time in classrooms with children. Thrive Licensed Practitioners should look at the TAP route, which covers the same standard with the advanced Thrive elements.

For the Leadership Apprenticeship, you’ll need to show you have leadership responsibilities. This could be SLT roles like SENDCo, Head Teacher or Department Lead. We also accept applicants who lead on Thrive across their setting or who can demonstrate clear strategic responsibilities. Teachers are normally advised to take the leadership route, as their QTS makes them ineligible for the teaching assistant pathway.

We’ve created a handy flow chart to help you understand your best fit.

 

2. How does the funding work?

The apprenticeship is funded through the apprenticeship levy. If your school contributes to the levy, the full cost is covered and drawn down monthly from their levy account. Employers have a digital account where they can see how much of their levy funds they have used and how much remains available: https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-apprenticeship-service-account

If your setting doesn’t pay into the levy, they’ll only need to contribute 5% of the course cost, and the government covers the remaining 95%. In some cases, another employer can transfer unused levy funds to your school, which means the full cost can still be covered, but this can potentially delay the application process.

Funding has to come from your employer, not from you, and it’s only available to those living and working in England.

We usually encourage applicants to check with their finance team early on. It clears up questions quickly and avoids surprises later.

Find out more in our levy-funded guide.

 

3. What’s the time commitment and course structure?

Each apprenticeship has a clear structure, and the pace is designed to be manageable alongside a busy role.

Leadership Apprenticeships (Level 5):

Work 30+ hours a week? 14 months, plus 3 months for the assessment. If you work less than 30 hours a week the duration is 21 months, plus 3 months for assessment.

• Training includes two hours a month (remote), a mix of group and 1-2-1 tutor sessions, may comprise the following: reviews with employer and tutor, observations, professional discussion, resources and learning materials.
• Off the job hours, roughly six per week, through things like research, e-learning, shadowing, observations or learning new skills at work.
• End point assessment involves a short 500-word project scope and presentation, and a final strategic business proposal of around 4,000 words.

 
Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeships (Level 5):

Work 30+ hours a week? 18 months, plus 3 months for assessment. If you work less than 30 hours a week the duration is 24 months, plus 3 months for assessment.

The structure is similar to the above apprenticeship, with monthly tutor support, online learning and off-the-job hours documented through your role.

• End point assessment includes a practical observation with a Q&A and a professional discussion.

 
Plus Thrive Licensed Practitioner training, delivered by our trainers, running alongside both routes:

• Three hours a month for twelve months (remotely)
• Two mentor meetings
• Access to Thrive Online and other resources

It gives you the Thrive relational approach alongside your apprenticeship standard.
 

4. What qualifications do I need?

You’ll need:

• One year of experience in a relevant role
• GCSE Maths and English at Grade C or above, or Level 2 Functional Skills

If you don’t have Maths or English yet, you can complete Functional Skills during the programme at no extra cost. Some applicants may be exempt if their employer confirms it isn’t required for their role or if they can evidence an equivalent qualification.

Applicants with a similar or higher level qualification in the same subject area won’t be eligible. For example, anyone with a Level 5 specialist teaching assistant qualification or QTS cannot take the STA apprenticeship.

 

5. Can I complete the apprenticeship outside my working hours?

No. Because this is an employment-based route, everything must be completed within your contracted hours. That includes training sessions, online learning and the work-based activities that count toward your evidence. You’ll need your employer’s support to protect this time.

 

6. What does a workplace mentor do?

Your mentor isn’t expected to deliver any training. Their role is simply to support you, help you keep track of your off the job hours and join a few review meetings with your tutor. It’s a light but important layer of support, and most apprentices say it makes the journey feel much more manageable.

 

Still have questions?

If you want to hear more from the team who deliver the apprenticeships every day, you can watch our webinar, An Introduction to Thrives NEW level 5 wellbeing Apprenticeships. It walks through the journey in a bit more detail and gives a feel for what the experience is really like.

And if you still have a question that didn’t make it into this list, Connie is always happy to help. Just drop her an email and she’ll point you in the right direction - apprenticeships@thriveapproach.com