HIGHER LEVEL TEACHING ASSISTANT (HLTA) STATUS
HLTA status is formal recognition of the skills and knowledge of experienced teaching assistants and their contribution to raising standards.
HLTAs can undertake a variety of roles, with the focus on planning and delivering learning activities under the direction of a teacher. Some HLTAs work across the curriculum, some are specialist HLTAs for a specific department or subject. Some HLTAs also manage other classroom-based staff. They can be expected to work in a range of settings, working with individual pupils, small groups and whole classes. HLTAs make a substantial contribution to the development and well-being of children and young people.
Schools benefit from having a high quality, well trained and supported workforce who provide effective teaching and learning support.
Barnsley Local Authority encourages schools to develop their staff towards achieving the status. Over 70 teaching assistants have gained HLTA status and Barnsley Local Authority are committed to providing opportunities for training and development whilst funding remains available.
Link to HLTA Leaflet
HLTA Standards
To gain HLTA status candidates must meet a set of professional standards which outline for teachers, employers, parents and carers the contribution to learning HLTAs can make. Candidates must provide evidence that they meet these national standards. The standards set out what a candidate needs to know, understand and be able to do in order the achieve HLTA status.
There are 33 standards, grouped under 3 headings:
- professional attributes
- professional knowledge and understanding
- professional skills.
You can download the standards in full from the Training and Development Agency website.
HLTAs – Secondary Schools – Specialist Maths and Specialist Science Roles
Staff in secondary schools can now achieve HLTA status with their specialist area being either maths or science. When they have gained the status, HLTAs would be expected to be deployed within a maths or science department in a secondary school. It is also possible for an existing HLTA to undertake specialist training in maths or science, to increase their knowledge of the subject, and to add a specialism to their HLTA status.
Achieving HLTA status
Candidates must:
- complete a preparation route
- be successfully assessed.
In Barnsley candidates have opportunities to undertake a longer route which is linked to Foundation Degree studies and includes preparation for assessment.
Funding
Funding from the TDA is deployed to pay for candidates’ preparation for assessment and their assessment costs. Candidates have to complete an application form, complete a training needs analysis, and have the support of their headteacher. Schools are strongly encouraged to support candidates with a mentor. Full details, with information on routes available, and an application form are sent out termly to schools.
Opportunities to find out more are provided through regular briefing sessions, HLTA taster sessions, TA network meetings, and materials sent out to schools.
Preparation for Assessment
Barnsley Local Authority is a partner with Sheffield and Rotherham Local Authorities and Sheffield Hallam University to provide preparation for assessment (known as SYTAC – South Yorkshire Teaching Assistants’ Consortium).
Uniquely, we are able to enhance and add value to our preparation and training routes through the award of Higher Education points – CATS, which can be carried forward towards a relevant Foundation Degree.
Further information on this is made available through briefing sessions. HLTA taster sessions, TA Network meetings and by contacting:
Karen Hartshorne
Associate Professional Development Adviser
Workforce Innovation and Professional Learning
Directorate for Children, Young People and Families
IPC - Administration Unit
Longcar Professional Development Centre
Longcar Lane
Barnsley
S70 6BB
01226 720370 (direct line)
01226 731061
Email: karenhartshorne@barnsley.gov.uk
Mentoring
Barnsley Local Authority strongly encourages schools to provide a mentor to support the HLTA candidate in achieving the status. A mentor could be the headteacher, deputy headteacher, line manager, senior HLTA, CPD coordinator. To support schools with this, we fund regular training for HLTA mentors.
ONLY STAFF WHO HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY ASSESSED AGAINST NATIONAL HLTA STANDARDS AND AWARDED STATUS BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE (DCSF) CAN BE CALLED ‘HLTA’.
Professional standards for Higherl Level Teaching Assistant status
