Join us for an insightful policy briefing, where we will shine a light on the crucial role of learning support workers (LSW) within schools across Wales. We will showcase the latest data from the EWC Register, and explore key issues affecting LSWs.
That’s our book and journal club created to help our registrants make the most of their free access to the world’s biggest library of education research, EBSCO. Find out more or sign up to our mailing list.
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There are two categories of registration which apply to registrants working in an independent school in Wales.
independent school teacher
independent school learning support worker
Independent school teachers
If a teacher in an independent school is undertaking one or more of the following activities, then they must be registered in the independent school teacher category:
planning and preparing lessons and courses for pupils
delivering lessons to pupils (including distance learning, or computer aided techniques)
assessing or reporting on the development, progress and attainment of pupils
in a senior leadership role in managing teaching and learning at the school
These requirements also apply to other workers who may undertake one of the above activities within the school such as:
supply teachers
peripatetic school teachers
hourly paid staff
visiting workers like music tutors, sports coaches where they are delivering lessons as part of curriculum delivery. (This does not apply if they are voluntary after school sessions).
Please note, holding QTS is not a mandatory requirement to teach within independent schools.
Independent school learning support workers
If a learning support worker in an independent school is supporting the provision of one or more of the following activities, then they must be registered in the independent school learning support worker category:
planning and preparing lessons and courses for pupils
delivering lessons to pupils (including distance learning or computer aided techniques)
assessing or reporting on the development, progress and attainment of pupils
These requirements also apply to other workers who may undertake the support role such, as a supply learning support worker.
Registration does not apply to staff who carry out a purely administrative role within the school, or where their interaction with pupils is not in a teaching or learning capacity.
There are only two categories of registration which apply to registrants working in a maintained school in Wales:
school teacher
school learning support worker
School teachers
Registration in the category of school teacher requires applicants to hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Applicants that do not have QTS but are working in a state-maintained school should register as school learning support workers.
Those who need to be registered in the school teacher category are, but not limited to:
full-time, part-time, and supply school teachers who hold QTS
peripatetic school teachers
advisory school teachers who are qualified school teachers and who spend a proportion of their time in a teaching capacity, involving direct unsupervised pupil contact
home tutors, employed by a local authority to teach children
As there is cross border working between Wales and England, employers should note that practitioners who have been awarded Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) are not recognised as Qualified School Teachers under legislation in Wales.
Qualified school teachers trained outside of the UK
A school learning support worker means a person who is not employed as a qualified school teacher, but who provides or supports the provision of any of the following services by a school teacher:
planning and preparing lessons and courses of study for pupils
delivering lessons to pupils (includes via distance learning or computer aided techniques)
assessing or reporting on the development, progress, and attainment of pupils
A person can only be employed as a school learning support worker to provide the above services if all the following requirements are met:
they are registered with the EWC in the category of school learning support worker
they provide the above services with direct interaction with learners to assist, or support the work of school teachers, or nominated teachers in the school
they provide the services under the direction and supervision of school teachers, or nominated teachers in accordance with arrangements made by the head teacher of the school
the head teacher is satisfied that they have the skills, expertise, and experience to provide the services
Examples of who needs to register as a school learning support worker
Employers should bear in mind that the requirement for registration relates to role the individual is undertaking, rather than their job title.
Those who need to register as a school learning support worker:
teaching/classroom assistant
learning support assistant/HLTA
special/additional needs assistant
pastoral/welfare assistant
bilingual support assistant
instructor
cover supervisor
foundation phase assistant
technician
learning coaches
private sports and music contractors
overseas trained teacher
Those who do not need to register:
caretakers
career advisor
educational psychologist
school nurse
administrative/office staff
catering staff
attendance and inclusion officer
lunchtime supervisors
breakfast club supervisors
finance controller
data manager
voluntary helpers (for example reading, after school clubs)
Code of Professional Conduct and Practice
The Code of Professional Conduct and Practice (the Code) sets out the standards expected of you, and is intended to support and guide your behaviours and judgements as a registrant working in education and training roles in Wales.
Link to Code animation
Good practice guides
Our suite of guides have been written to complement the Code and aim to support you in complying with it. Each focus on a specific area such as tackling racism, positive working relationships, and using social media responsibly. Be sure to check back as new guides are published regularly.
Professional Learning Passport (PLP)
As education practitioners, continuous reflection, learning, and development are essential to your role. Your PLP, is a flexible online tool specifically designed to help you capture, reflect upon, and share your learning, all with the aim of shaping your ongoing professional development and practice.
EBSCO and Meddwl Mawr
As an added bonus, your PLP gives you free access to EBSCO, the world’s largest full text research database for education professionals, there to help you undertake reading and research to further develop your practice and ideas. Sign up to Meddwl Mawr, our book and journal club, to receive monthly recommendations to interesting EBSCO content.
Resources and guides
If you’re interested in undertaking your own research, why not check out our guides designed to get you started. They cover topics such as research ethics, action research report writing, and setting up a journal club.
Free events series
We host a variety of events throughout the year to support you and your professional development. They include our annual lecture ‘Professionally Speaking’, masterclasses, policy briefings, and webinars. You can watch recordings of many of our previous events on our YouTube channel.
‘Sgwrsio’ with the EWC podcast
Our podcast brings together registrants and experts from across the education sector for lively conversations on topics which matter to you. Why not listen back to previous episodes and subscribe now. If there is a topic you would like us to cover on Sgwrsio, please contact the team.
Blogs
Our blog shares contributions from registrants and experts on the latest research, updates, and best practise from across the education sector. If you’ve got a subject that you’re passionate about and want to share with your colleagues across Wales, please contact the team.
Educators Wales
Educators Wales features a range of services which bring together career, training, and job opportunities within Wales’ education sector into one, easy to access location. Its jobs portal, one of the biggest dedicated to the education sector in Wales, is the place to go for the latest vacancies. The team also offer a free recruitment, advocacy, and information service to individuals seeking progression opportunities as educators. That includes comprehensive support including application and CV writing, and interview skills workshops.
Stay up to date
As a registrant with the EWC, you will automatically receive ‘MyEWC’, our termly newsletter featuring the latest updates from the EWC and any important news relating to your registration. We’re also on social media where you can find updates on our work from day-to-day. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin.
Here to help
Our team are on hand should you need us. Details on how to contact each team are available on the contact us page.
Don’t forget…
It’s important that we hold the correct personal details for you. This includes qualifications, contact details, language preferences, and employment details. You can ensure your details are accurate and up to date at any time by logging into your MyEWC account.
The Code of Professional Conduct and Practice (the Code) sets out the standards expected of you, and is intended to support and guide your behaviours and judgements as a registrant working in education and training roles in Wales.
Good practice guides
Our suite of guides have been written to complement the Code and aim to support you in complying with it. Each focus on a specific area such as tackling racism, positive working relationships, and using social media responsibly. Be sure to check back as new guides are published regularly.
Professional Learning Passport (PLP)
As education practitioners, continuous reflection, learning, and development are essential to your role. Your PLP, is a flexible online tool specifically designed to help you capture, reflect upon, and share your learning, all with the aim of shaping your ongoing professional development and practice.
EBSCO and Meddwl Mawr
As an added bonus, your PLP gives you free access to EBSCO, the world’s largest full text research database for education professionals, there to help you undertake reading and research to further develop your practice and ideas. Sign up to Meddwl Mawr, our book and journal club, to receive monthly recommendations to interesting EBSCO content.
Resources and guides
If you’re interested in undertaking your own research, why not check out our guides designed to get you started. They cover topics such as research ethics, action research report writing, and setting up a journal club.
Free events series
We host a variety of events throughout the year to support you and your professional development. They include our annual lecture ‘Professionally Speaking’, masterclasses, policy briefings, and webinars. You can watch recordings of many of our previous events on our YouTube channel.
‘Sgwrsio’ with the EWC podcast
Our podcast brings together registrants and experts from across the education sector for lively conversations on topics which matter to you. Why not listen back to previous episodes and subscribe now. If there is a topic you would like us to cover on Sgwrsio, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Blogs
Our blog shares contributions from registrants and experts on the latest research, updates, and best practise from across the education sector. If you’ve got a subject that you’re passionate about and want to share with your colleagues across Wales, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Educators Wales
Educators Wales (funded by the Welsh Government and delivered by the EWC) is the go-to website for those seeking new job opportunities. The jobs portal, the beggest of its kind in Wales gives you instant access to a diverse range of positions from across Welsh schools and further education colleges, adult/work-based learning providers, youth work organisations, and more.
The team also offer a free recruitment, advocacy, and information service to individuals seeking progression opportunities as educators. That includes comprehensive support including application and CV writing, and interview skills workshops.
As a registrant with the EWC, you will automatically receive ‘MyEWC’, our termly newsletter featuring the latest updates from the EWC and any important news relating to your registration.
We’re also on social media where you can find updates on our work from day-to-day. Follow us on X, Facebook, and Linkedin.
Always here to help
Our team are on hand should you need us. Details on how to contact each team are available on the contact us page.
Don’t forget…
It’s important that we hold the correct personal details for you. This includes qualifications, contact details, language preferences, and employment details. You can ensure your details are accurate and up to date at any time by logging into your MyEWC account.
We’ve recently redesigned our website to improve the service and experience you receive. To provide feedback on the new website, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
