What is an HLTA?
A Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) is a role which holds more responsibilities than a Teaching Assistant role as they are required take responsibility of their own class group and more such as planning for planned absences with working within the SEN team, sometimes supervising other teaching assistants. The role of an HLTA was introduced around in 2003, following workforce reform to raise standards and tackle workload in the classrooms as teaching staff were struggling with lack of staff and funding.
HLTA is a great way to promote a positive learning environment as they are able to take ownership of small areas of teaching and learning support strategies helping the whole schools approach.
Have a look at the SETs write up on Effective Use of Teaching Assistants.
In the past school got funding towards training staff to become higher-level assistants or to attend courses. The TDA, the organisation who gives financing, to the local authorities and schools they would have to continue on and pay for training teaching assistants themselves.
How can you become an HLTA?
To become an HLTA you will need the support of your Headteacher and a Level 2 in Maths, English, and sometimes ICT. You would need to have some experience as a teaching assistant, with the ability to lead. After this, you will then need to get funding sometimes the school pay for the course for you. However, you can get self- fund the path as it costs around £450 – £700 You would have to complete a 3-day training course as well as an on-site assessment visit by an assessor. You would have to answer correctly to questions and know the 33 standards Higher Level Teaching Assistant questions.
Your responsibilities could include?
Manage other teaching assistants
Liaise with managers/teaching staff and teaching assistants
Hold regular team meetings with managed staff
Represent teaching assistants in teaching staff/management/other appropriate meetings
Undertake recruitment/induction/appraisal/training/mentoring for other teaching assistants
Comply with and assist with the development of policies and procedures relating to child
protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
Be aware of and support difference and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop
Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school
Establish constructive relationships and communicate with other agencies/professionals, in liaison with the teacher, to support achievement and progress of pupils
Attend and participate in regular meetings
Participate in training and other learning activities as required
Recognise own strengths and areas of expertise and use these to advise and support others
Be responsible for the provision of out of school learning activities within guidelines established by the school
Contribute to the identification and execution of appropriate out of school learning activities which consolidate and extend work carried out in class
Attend and participate in relevant meetings both during and after the school day as required
To continuously develop your own role, taking responsibility for identifying and addressing training and development needs
To carry out, as and when required, any additional tasks and responsibilities as are
reasonably compatible with this job description and its objectives
You may be asked to teach and plan for SEN learners and withdraw groups that require additional assistance with their learning. To do this, you will need to prepare, deliver and evaluate your work and others
What is the pay?
Depending on your location and the amount of responsibility you have the pay can range from £16,000 to £24,000. Plus more with management, SEN and other factors.
This is depending on your local authorities pay scale.
Tips: You should check with the Local Authority to fully understand the pay scales in your area. You can then cross-check this with your schools pay.
What is the next step?
You can go on to train as a teacher or an assessor. You could go into administration, family partnership, management ( Team Leader) or start teacher training. Such as a PGCE or other teacher training courses.
Got more questions? get in contact!
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