Becoming a Higher Level Teaching Assistant

For those of us working in the rewarding field of education, there are a lot of dynamic and meaningful roles to consider. One such role is a HLTA. HLTAs, create real and meaningful impacts in the lives of students. These vital members of the educational support team help to develop children’s love of learning and support and inspire them to achieve their educational goals.

Since the HLTA role was created in 2003, they have become part of the fabric of the school community. Working in a versatile and flexible capacity, HLTAs often work with multiple students and teachers to help improve learning levels and assist teaching staff in fulfilling their duties.

For teaching assistants that are wanting to expand their professional knowledge, further aid student development, and work in a varied role, becoming an HLTA may be just what you are looking for.

So, what is an HLTA and what are the steps to securing one of these dynamic positions?

What is an HLTA?

When looking for a qualification in education, you may come across the term HLTA. HLTA stands for Higher Level Teaching Assistant. HLTA’s are a valuable part of the educational system, working with teachers to improve the educational experience of students.

Supporting Staff and Students

Through developing meaningful relationships with pupils HLTAs work to support teachers in delivering educational lessons. They are not solely responsible for creating student lesson plans, but work with and under the direction of a teacher. Although they may deliver lesson plans, they do so in collaboration with teachers.

HLTAs work as part of the support staff in school environments. They have fewer responsibilities than regular teachers and are not responsible for the entire learning experience of students. However, HLTAs do have greater responsibilities than regular Teaching Assistants (TA). They are expected on occasion to take sole charge of students and assist in greater planning and learning support duties than their TA counterparts. These duties can at times mean that HLTAs plan and implement lessons and teach classes without the presence of a teacher for short periods of time. HLTAs may also be required to assess students learning to a greater extent than Teaching Assistants.

Higher Level Teaching Assistants help teachers to better fulfil their duties by taking on some of the responsibilities of teaching staff and supporting students and teachers to undertake school and learning tasks.

Raising Educational Standards

School support staff help to raise the educational standards of a school. While teaching assistants are an important part of this, Higher Level Teaching Assistants bring a greater depth of knowledge and training. This knowledge and understanding assists HLTAs in supporting students as well as teachers and leadership staff. As part of the support staff team, Higher Level Teaching Assistants aid in creating a more stimulating school environment and a positive pupil experience.

Higher Level Teaching Assistants may work across curriculum subjects and with children of various ages, abilities, or grade levels. This variation differs from many traditional teaching positions in which teachers are responsible for a single class or subject area. For those wanting to have a wide variety of experiences in their day-to-day activities, exploring what an HLTA does and if it is a career path for you may be a great option.

What is in an HLTA’s Day?

The day-to-day activities of an HLTA may include tasks such as planning, preparing, and delivering learning experiences for students in collaboration with teachers. They may work with individuals, groups, or on occasion, whole classes.

More than just a teaching assistant, HLTAs have responsibilities outside of student support. These important members of the learning environment help to manage other staff, develop individualized learning opportunities for students and work with parents and the wider community to assist pupils.

Higher Level Teaching Assistants must have a greater knowledge of the curriculum than regular Teaching Assistants. They are expected to help students’ learning to align with curriculum goals and outcomes and support pupils that are struggling academically.

Unlike regular TAs, HLTAs may at times be asked to cover classes and plan, conduct and assess their own lessons.

Helping Students to Excel

In this rewarding career, HLTAs often work with students with learning difficulties to excel on their educational journeys. Higher Level Teaching Assistants can specialise in certain areas, work across whole school curriculums, or work in specific departments. This may include working with pupils with advanced additional needs and often requires HLTAs to specialise in certain learning areas.

When considering what is a HLTA, it is important to consider what learning areas they often specialise in. For example, specialising in areas such as creating learning environments that are productive for children struggling with dyslexia,  may form part of the everyday responsibilities of Higher Level Teaching Assistants.

Overall Higher Level Teaching Assistants give guidance and support to students, whether this is in a specialised subject or across their school experience. They help students that don’t fit the traditional classroom model to still achieve their academic goals. They may help students struggling with behavoural issues, emotional or social issues, or those just struggling academically. Through offering academic support and guidance they give pupils their best chance at success.

Higher Level Teaching Assistants benefit their school environment and help to make a difference in the lives of students. In a recent survey, 91% of senior leadership in schools believed that HLTAs made a positive contribution to student learning. This means that not only is the daily life of an HLTA varied and exciting, but it can be incredibly rewarding as well.

Reasons to become an HLTA

Higher Level Teaching Assistants create real and meaningful impacts on the lives of young people, while building a varied career in a scalable industry. An NFER report found the three most common words HLTAs used to describe their career experience were ‘interesting’, ‘enjoyable’ and ‘rewarding’. Higher Level Teaching Assistants work in a role that helps students to be the best they can be and sets them up for a learning journey that is positive and productive. For those looking for a career that makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives, becoming an HLTA is a viable option to be explored.

A Stable Job Opportunity

Putting aside the rewarding aspects of helping children, becoming a Higher Level Teaching Assistant can be a great career move for those wanting to build a scalable profession in a steady industry. In a study consisting of 60 schools,  half employed a Higher Level Teaching Assistant.

An HLTA status is one of the highest support for learning titles available and gaining this status can help to secure employment in competitive job markets.  When it is reported that as of November 2020 there were over 271,000 teaching assistants in England alone, gaining an HLTA qualification can make candidates stand out in the job market.

Career Progression

Gaining Higher Level Teaching Assistant status can also help to support career progression towards becoming a teacher or working in similar roles within the educational industry. A 2019 study of 64 teaching assistants found that over 30% of participants had a definite desire to become a teacher. While this number dropped slightly in the HLTA sample, this was due to HLTAs reporting that they were content with their work life balance and the rewards and challenges offered in their position.

For teaching assistants wishing to become teachers, achieving Higher Level Teaching Assistant status can provide valuable experience and qualifications to further assist in achieving teaching status.

What is an HLTA’s Salary?

On average a Higher Level Teaching Assistant in the UK earns just over £23,300. This number though is largely dependant on where an HLTA works and the hours that they work as not all positions are full-time gigs. Some HLTAs earn closer to £30,000 while some take home earnings closer to the £20,000 mark each year.

As these Higher Level Teaching Assistant positions can work on an hourly basis, it is important to consider what an average hourly rate might be, as well as the overall yearly salary. Most HLTAs working on an hourly rate will earn around the £12 per hour mark.

While this salary might not be exceedingly high, it is much higher than the average salary of teaching assistants. A teaching assistant that hasn’t gained HLTA status is, on average, banking only just over £17,000 per year. This means that not only is gaining Higher Level Teaching Assistant status a positive move for career progression and an opportunity to provide greater support to students, it also can be a very financially advantageous decision.

As teaching support staff, such as HLTAs and TAs, gain more experience they progress through salary pay points. This means the longer a staff member works in their position, not only do they gain a deeper understanding of the role, but they also progressively increase their salary.

How Do I Become an HLTA?

There isn’t much point in knowing what an HLTA is without understanding the process required to become one. To become a Higher Level Teaching Assistant there are some core criteria that must be in place.

Firstly, you must already be working as a Teaching Assistant. Higher Level Teaching Assistant status is a continuation from a Teaching Assistant role. As such, those wishing to become HLTAs must already have experience as a Teaching Assistant and be employed in that capacity.

To complete the process potential HLTAs must also have the support of both the school they are employed at and their Head Teacher.

There are key professional standards that those wishing the gain HLTA status must demonstrate to acquire the accreditation. These standards fall under six broad categories.

Professional Values and Practices

With all the standards there are specific core criteria that must be met to demonstrate competency in this standard. Personal Values and Practices broadly covers the applicant’s abilities to effectively interact with students, staff, and families. It involves creating constructive relationships with students, setting ambitious yet achievable goals for young people, and working collaboratively with staff, parents, and the community.

Professional Knowledge and Understanding

This standard concerns a potential HLTA’s ability to understand how to effectively complete their role. This includes understanding statutory and curriculum frameworks, knowing how to use ICT support, and understanding the key factors that impact children’s learning. It involves the more technical side of the HLTA position and ensures that HLTAs know the requirements of their role.

Professional Skills

This standard requires the support of the school, outlining HLTAs commitment to be supervised by and work collaboratively with a qualified teacher.

Monitoring and Assessment

While a large part of the responsibilities of Higher Level Teaching Assistants involves supporting teachers and assisting students in their learning, at times they may also be required to monitor and assess students’ skills and abilities. This standard ensures that potential HLTAs are competent in monitoring and accurately assessing students’ learning. It involves showing that applicants can tailor lesson plans to students. It also demonstrates applicant’s ability to monitor learning to find the best way for students to learn the course material.

Teaching and Learning Activities

Teaching and Learning Activities helps to assess an applicant’s abilities to create a fair, safe, and appropriately challenging learning environment. To achieve this standard, you must show your ability to promote positive behaviour and advance learning experiences. As HLTAs have some responsibility for directing other staff, this standard also assesses your ability to effectively distribute workloads and oversee other support workers.

As well as fulfilling these standards, Higher Level Teaching Assistants must have English and maths skills at Level 2 or equivalent. HLTAs must also understand how to use ICT, have specialist training in a curriculum area, and have training in and understanding of relevant learning strategies.

In addition, to achieve HLTA status, applicants must undergo assessments and training courses. These training courses are normally undertaken at the school you are employed at or by a regional provider. A three day preparation course is necessary, as is a school visit by an assessor. All these requirements assist in showing that you meet the core criteria standards necessary to become an HLTA.

A Rewarding Career Choice

Becoming a Higher Level Teaching Assistant can be a rewarding and positive career choice. For some, it can be a step closer to gaining Qualified Teacher status, for others it can be a fulfilling role where you are making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people. HLTAs form a vital part of the school community and help students to have the best school experience possible. If you are a Teaching Assistant that is considering becoming a Higher Level Teaching Assistant, check out the CPD Higher Level Teaching Assistant course and start the next stage of your career today.