Last updated 14:24, Friday, 24 October 2008

AN education suite has started offering a new qualification for teaching assistants.

The Bluebirds Study Centre, at Barrow AFC’s Holker Street ground, has been accredited by City and Guilds, a leading awarding body for qualifications.

The centre is offering the new NVQ level three in supporting teaching and learning in schools. The course covers all aspects of being, or becoming, a teaching assistant.

It is being taught by qualified teachers from a variety of teaching backgrounds.

The course started last week but students are still being accepted as the programme is just in the induction stage. The students have worked in a variety of careers before starting the teaching assistant qualification.

The course runs on Wednesdays from 9am until 2pm, over 30 weeks.

There is a waiting list for a course starting in January.

Gill Jepson, the new centre manager at the Bluebirds Study Centre, said: “It’s a very positive thing for us to be accredited by City and Guilds. It’s very exciting because the course has been revamped. It’s different to any course previously run and it’s tailored to the students’ needs.”

Mrs Jepson has previously taught teaching assistant courses and has worked as a primary school teacher. Mrs Jepson, or another member of the team, can be contacted at the centre on 01229 825759, or by emailing gill@bluebirdsstudycentre.co.uk