We are a team of Teachers of the Deaf, working with children across Northumberland. Each year we train a small group of teaching assistants (TAs) who work with our children in their local schools offering a Level 2 and Level 3 award through AIM Qualification and Assessment Group.

We are extremely well supported by the AIM team who have helped us to create, revise and extend our accredited training. Every year we require some extra help around the registration process and understanding the system of accreditation. The AIM Qualification and Assessment Group team are always at the end of the phone to help us out, with unfailing patience and good humour. We have regular contact with Stuart (Business Development Lead) who is always available to help us with any questions or concerns.

Our annual External Verifier visit is always a positive experience as they help us to identify areas for development and encourage us to keep looking for innovative ways to improve our practice. For example, this year began a rolling programme observing Teachers of the Deaf delivering training to TAs. Through this additional layer of quality control we can be sure that both the delivery and the outcomes of our training are equitable and robust.

Having a programme that is part of a nationally recognised scheme helps schools and Head Teachers understand the value of our training. When learners sign up for our programme, they know that they will receive an accredited qualification which gives them increased confidence and the knowledge that they can positively affect a child’s learning experience. Improving outcomes for our deaf children is at the heart of everything we do and AIM Qualification and Assessment Group enables TAs to be confident partners in this.