What is a HLTA? Your Way to Success

Have you ever wondered what a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) is and what role they play in schools? In today’s educational system, HLTAs are becoming increasingly vital, bridging the gap between teachers and support staff to improve the learning experience for students. But what exactly does an HLTA do, and how do you become one? In this blog, we will cover everything, starting first with knowing what an HLTA is, then its roles and responsibilities, and lastly the necessary steps needed for you to become an HLTA.

What is a HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant)?

Higher Level Teaching Assistants, or HLTAs, are highly skilled educators in schools. So, they can bridge the gap between Teaching Assistants and qualified teachers. Qualified with advanced training and qualifications, HLTAs take on a wider range of responsibilities. This includes independently planning and delivering their own lessons, assessing student progress to identify learning gaps, and even covering classes for absent teachers. Overall, HLTAs act as a significant support system, allowing teachers to dedicate more time to curriculum development, individualised student needs, and complete classroom management. 

What are the HLTA Duties and Responsibilities?

Here are the duties and responsibilities typically associated with a HLTA:

• Classroom Support: HLTAs assist teachers in delivering lessons by preparing classroom materials, leading small group activities, and providing one-on-one support to students as needed.
• Lesson Planning and Delivery: They may contribute to planning and delivering lessons under the guidance of the teacher, ensuring that learning objectives are met and adapting activities to meet the needs of students.
• Assessment and Progress Monitoring: HLTAs help assess student progress by observing, recording, and reporting on student performance. Moreover, they may help in administering assessments and providing feedback to teachers.
• Behaviour Management: They support the maintenance of a positive learning environment by implementing behaviour management strategies, promoting positive behaviour, and addressing any behavioural issues that arise.
• Support for Special Educational Needs (SEN): HLTAs often work closely with students with special educational needs, providing additional support and adapting activities to accommodate individual learning requirements.
• Administrative Tasks: They assist with administrative duties such as maintaining records of student progress, preparing classroom resources, and organising educational materials.
• Professional Development: They engage in continuous professional development to improve their skills and knowledge, keeping abreast of educational best practices and policies.
• Cover Supervision: HLTAs may occasionally supervise classes in the absence of the teacher, ensuring continuity in learning and maintaining a safe and productive classroom environment.
• Supporting Extra-Curricular Activities: They may support and participate in extra-curricular activities and school events, enriching the educational experience beyond the classroom.

How to become a Higher Level Teaching Assistant: What are the effective ways?

Here are the effective ways that you can follow to become a HLTA:

Teaching Assistant Experience

Most HLTA programmes require prior experience as a Teaching Assistant (TA). This initial role allows you to gain invaluable insights into the daily workings of a school and develop essential skills for working with students of different ages and learning styles. As a TA, you’ll assist teachers with various tasks, such as:

• Preparing classroom materials
• Supervising students during group activities or playtime
• Providing one-on-one support to students who need extra help
• Marking assignments and offering feedback

HLTA Training

The next step involves beginning a specifically designed HLTA training course. In fact, you take the School of Health Care’s HLTA course, which is one of the best out there you ever get. Our course provides you with the specialised knowledge and skills needed to shine as an HLTA. The course content may contain various areas, including:

• Advanced lesson planning and delivery: You’ll learn how to perfectly plan engaging and effective lessons that are suitable for diverse learning styles.
• Assessment strategies: Effective assessment allows you to monitor student progress and modify your teaching approach accordingly. Thus, this training provides you with the tools to conduct assessments and interpret the results.
• Differentiation techniques: Creating a classroom environment that meets the requirements of every individual student is important. Therefore, the programme will introduce you to various differentiation strategies to ensure every student feels challenged and supported.
• Supporting students with special educational needs (SEN): HLTAs often play an important role in providing additional support to students with SEN. Hence, the training equips you with the knowledge and skills to create a more inclusive learning environment.

The HLTA Assessment

After completing the training programme, you’ll undergo an assessment by an approved HLTA assessor. This assessment involves observing you in a school setting and evaluating your ability to apply the acquired knowledge and skills in a practical environment. Additionally, the assessor might look for evidence of:

• Your ability to plan and deliver engaging lessons independently.
• Your proficiency in using various assessment techniques.
• Your skill in providing targeted support to meet individual student needs.
• Your effectiveness in collaborating with teachers.

Gaining Support: The Role of Your Headteacher

The support of your headteacher is significant in your HLTA journey. They can provide invaluable guidance and support throughout the process. Here’s how your headteacher’s involvement can make a significant difference:

• Funding Assistance: Schools or local authorities may offer financial support for HLTA training. Therefore, discussing your aspirations with your headteacher can open doors to these funding opportunities, making the training programme more accessible.
• Time Management: HLTA training requires dedication. Thus, working with your headteacher can help schedule training sessions that minimise disruption to your existing teaching commitments. Hence, this ensures you can effectively manage your responsibilities while acquiring new skills.

Skills Needed

HLTAs help teachers and students use a variety of hard and soft skills. A successful HTLA must have the following skills:

• Subject knowledge: A solid grasp of core subjects is helpful.
• Literacy and Numeracy: Strong skills for planning lessons and explanations.
• Communication: Clear explanations, active listening, and constructive feedback.
• Organisation: Planning engaging lessons, managing resources, and smooth flow.
• Differentiation: Adapting teaching to meet individual student needs.
• Patience & Empathy: Creating a supportive environment for learning.
• Teamwork: Collaboration with teachers, staff, and parents.

Apply for HLTA job positions

This is the final and most critical phase. Now that you have the necessary qualifications, experience, and HLTA certification, you can apply for HLTA positions in universities, colleges, and other educational settings. In your application papers, showcase your relevant experience, education, and abilities to demonstrate how you can successfully help teaching and learning. Prepare for the interviews and tests required as part of the application process to demonstrate your commitment to the HLTA role and passion for learning.

How much does a higher-level teaching assistant earn?

So, you may be wondering what the income is for a HLTA in the UK. The average income for a higher-level teaching assistant is between £23000 and £26000 per year. The starting salary for entry-level professionals is between £18000 and £22000 per year, while the top salary for experienced professionals is over £29,000. Meanwhile, experienced HLTAs and those in high-demand roles can expect to earn £28,000 to £35,000 or more per year. Greater compensation may be granted in areas with higher living expenditures, positions demanding more responsibility, or positions needing specialised knowledge.