A Concise Guide to the Level 3 Award in Education and Training

This new edition is an essential resource for those studying for the Level 3 Award in Education and Training, including the Learning and Development Units. Fully aligned with the latest ETF Standards, it delivers up-to-date, relevant content tailored to today’s Further Education (FE) and Skills landscape, with refreshed material that ensures readers are fully equipped to deliver learning within the sector.

This fully updated second edition aims to bring together evidence-informed pedagogical practices, progression pathways, the Ofsted Framework, and key educational policies and legislation in one comprehensive resource. All chapters feature clear chapter objectives, helpful key takeaways and an expanded range of practical lesson plans. Chapter content also includes topics related to safeguarding, health and safety, mental health and well-being, inclusivity, race and gender, and the use of AI platforms for teaching, learning and assessment.

It is packed with engaging exercises and case studies for readers to apply their knowledge to practice and reflect on recent changes within the FE landscape. Examples include the types of courses that trainees could be involved in when teaching such as apprenticeships and shifts in thinking and language use, relating to race, gender and self-care.

Lynn Machin is a senior lecturer and principle supervisor for students undertaking doctoral studies within the Institute of Education at the University of Staffordshire. She has more than 30 years’ experience of working within further and higher education. Many of these years have been spent designing and delivering Initial Teacher Training for trainees who work, or want to work, in the further education sector. Her current research interests are situated in the exploration of how students can develop their capacities to learn and grow as self-directed and autonomous learners. As well as having written and co-authored several books for teachers within further education, including A Complete Guide to the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training and A Complete Guide to the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training, Lynn has also written several other books including Supporting Primary Teaching and Learning (aimed at teaching assistants). Lynn is also a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Duncan Hindmarch is a course director for and senior lecturer within the Institute of Education at the University of Staffordshire. With a background in teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), he has over 25 years of teaching experience. Duncan is a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has led development and implementation of ESOL, Initial Teacher Training and Education programmes. As well as having written and co-authored several books for teachers within further education, including A Complete Guide to the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training and A Complete Guide to the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training, Duncan has also written several other books including Supporting Primary Teaching and Learning.

Sandra Murray is an award leader, lecturer and supervisor for students undertaking doctoral studies within the Institute of Education at the University of Staffordshire. Sandra, having taught for many years in a further education college, has a wide range of experience supporting and teaching teachers in the further education sector and has been teaching on Initial Teacher Education programmes since 2006. Sandra is a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her particular research interests are outstanding teaching and performance skills for teachers. She has written and co-authored several books for teachers within FE including A Complete Guide to the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training and A Complete Guide to the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training.

Tina Richardson is an award leader and senior lecturer within the Institute of Education at the University of Staffordshire. Tina has taught in compulsory education, further education and higher education. For the last 15 years, she has been involved in teacher training for further education, in particular the subject specialist qualifications for teachers. Her particular research interest is the use of metacognitive reading strategies in the Functional Skills classroom. As well as teacher training books, including A Complete Guide to the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training and A Complete Guide to the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training, Tina has co-authored a book on using e-readers in the classroom. Tina is a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Fiona Hall is an award leader for the BA in Education within the Institute of Education at the University of Staffordshire. She has more than 20 years’ experience of working within primary, further and higher education. She has also been involved in teacher training in further education, undertaking teacher observations. Her current research interests are situated in the exploration of teaching assistant practice in schools. Fiona has co-authored Supporting Primary Teaching and Learning.