The Student Room Group

Feeling isolated on my apprenticeship?

I’m currently on a break in learning on a Level 3 school based apprenticeship and was wondering if anyone else has had the experience of struggling to socially integrate with staff?

I feel like I’m just “the apprentice” and have received very little support beyond promises in meetings which never came to be. Previous apprentices at my workplace have later returned as supply with full capabilities in their role which I don’t have, I started in the school as a placement student and had a lovely experience which never manifested as an apprentice. All of the staff I worked with left right as I started and I was placed in a team of new staff in a different key stage and was given (though lovely) a seemingly preoccupied mentor who is part time. Is it time to look for a new employer (which my trainer is supportive of) or do I return and hope for the best?

I’m scared if I leave I can only work at a restricted option of schools and worry about SEND experience which is important to me: my current employer is mainstream but supports four EHCP children with three more on the pathway. At the same time though, management always tell me I am unable to support them as I am unqualified even though a local specialist school has plenty of apprentices on lower qualifications do this without issue. That said, I am asked to anyway and happily oblige but don’t receive any support of guidance from them as “you don’t do 1-1 support, that child doesn’t have it”. It is in their support plan.

Obviously, whistleblowing to be done, but that will require the confidence of being an ex-employee. I’ve not received any support but this doesn’t seem to be an issue with any ex-apprentices so maybe it’s a me issue I’ve got to just deal with and hope it doesn’t affect my final grade? Unlike other apprentices, I’m reliant on my grading for university acceptance.

Sorry for the rant but has anyone experienced anything similar? I’m scared to disclose this to my training provider.

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