HLTA - opportunities for school support staff
Support staff play an extremely important role within our schools today. They not only provide vital support to teachers but also play an important part in pupil’s ongoing learning and achievement.
In recognition of the contribution that teaching assistants make in schools, and to allow them to develop their role further, Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status was introduced in 2003 by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA).
CCDU and HLTA
CCDU delivered the HLTA pilot assessment programme for the TDA, and with our partners, currently holds contracts to provide HLTA training and assessment programmes throughout Yorkshire and Humber and the North East regions.
Our partners in Yorkshire and Humber are Trinity and All Saints, and SYTAC (South Yorkshire Teaching Assistant Consortium including Sheffield Hallam University).
Our partners in the North East are Northumbria University and the University of Sunderland.
The HLTA programme has proved incredibly popular with LAs, schools and support staff. Keep reading to find out how HLTA status can benefit support staff, schools and pupils.
Raising standards
The HLTA programme reinforces and improves the teaching assistant’s skills, with each individual assessed against a set of rigorous professional standards.
The aim is to allow those individuals who achieve HLTA status to play an even greater role in helping to raise standards within schools.
Schools, pupils and parents benefit
HLTA is a statement of the quality contribution that a teaching assistant can provide to the school and its pupils.
Many schools have also discovered that by encouraging individuals with HLTA status to undertake an enhanced role in the school, the workforce can operate more effectively and provide a consistent quality experience for children. Such an approach has also been found to improve the work/life balance for teaching staff.
Achieving HLTA status
School support staff in England, with the backing of their head teacher and line manager, can apply to achieve HLTA status.
Training needs are assessed by the school in consultation with the Local Authority (LA). Taking account of these needs, a personalised HLTA training and/or preparation programme is then developed for each candidate.
When the required training and preparation is completed – usually a mix of in-school and off-site training – the assessment takes place.
More information can be found on the TDA website about how to achieve HLTA status.
Accessing the HLTA programme
For more information about the HLTA programme call Louise Turner on 0113 812 6137 or complete our online contact form.
Gill Tricoglus is our programme leader for HLTA in the North East and Yorkshire and Humber.
OUr virual learning envirnment contains important forms and document used in the assessment process: HLTA resources
Click on the following HLTA appeals YH for appeals forms in Yorkshire and Humber.
Assessment preparation in the North East and Yorkshire and Humber
When you begin preparation you will be shown how to access our online environment. This contains a range of resources which you will need as a part of your assessment preparation.