Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Status
A recognised progression route for school support staff. HLTAs work closely with teachers to raise standards and help each learner reach their potential.
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At a glance
Course duration
4-6 months
Awards
HLTA Status
Delivery method
Online training
What are the benefits?
In a survey of our HLTA graduates, 91% answered that gaining the status had increased their confidence in their own abilities.
Previous NFER research reported many benefits, including the rise in confidence and self-esteem of those gaining the status. Headlines from the report were that 91% of senior leaders and 80% of HLTAs identified positive impacts on pupil performance resulting from the HLTA role. 73% of senior leaders said that HLTA had reduced teacher workload.
Why HLTA?
- In a survey of our HLTA graduates, 91% answered that gaining the status had increased their confidence in their own abilities
- Highly positive impact on schools and outcomes for children and young people
- HLTAs report greatly improved confidence, self-esteem and aspirations
- An effective performance management framework
- Assures quality through rigorous national standards
- Cost-effective, homegrown cover for PPA and other needs
- Enhances knowledge, expertise and skills in supporting learning
- Career progression for HLTAs and mentor
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Who is it for?
Gaining HLTA status is a recognised progression route for school support staff. HLTAs work closely with teachers to raise standards and help each learner reach their potential.
All applicants must have:
- Some experience of leading whole-class learning with no teacher present
- Level 2 in maths and English
HLTA Needs Analysis
If you are not sure if HLTA is for you, you may find it useful to refer to our HLTA Needs Analysis document. You won’t need to submit this as part of any application, it is purely for your own use in understanding what standards an HLTA typically demonstrates.
Key Information
How is it delivered?
- The two day online or face-to-face preparation course explains the HLTA standards and the HLTA assessment process and fully explains how to put together the required portfolio of evidence. Guidance is provided on completing the required written tasks and explains the purpose and the set-up of the 2-hour assessment appointment.
- Between days 1 and 2, you will engage in online activities to check your understanding.
- The group returns for day 2 approximately 5-6 working weeks later to review progress and receive formative feedback on the tasks written so far. Further guidance and support is provided for the assessment appointment.
- Your assessor will contact you to arrange the assessment appointment. The assessment will take place 4-12 weeks after the day 2 event. At least 10 days before the agreed date of the meeting, you will email your final written tasks to the assessor and upload your documents which support your written evidence to a secure e-portfolio. Assessment will be carried out remotely.
Assessment
The status is gained through an assessment of written tasks, a portfolio of evidence and interviews. You are not observed in class - we are currently only carrying out remote assessments until further notice.
Locations
We are now delighted to offer our HLTA Status nationally.
You can select your preferred group location and dates in the application form. We aim to allocate each candidate their chosen group if your choice is no longer available we will offer you the most easily accessible alternative. Groups will be amended subject to interest and demand.
School networks or alliances with several support staff wishing to complete the qualification should contact us about bespoke training that can be arranged at a local level and delivered within their schools.
The cost of the HLTA preparation programme, where participants are prepared for assessment, is £290 + VAT. This cost of preparation does not include the actual assessment element which is £450 per person, no VAT applies to this assessment fee.
In order to be accepted onto HLTA, prospective candidates must secure support from their Headteacher to:
- Confirm they consider you to be suitable to undertake the HLTA status.
- Confirm that you, the applicant, have undertaken whole class teaching with no teacher present on at least 2 occasions.
- Confirms they have seen documentary evidence that you, the applicant, hold a level 2 qualification in English/literacy.
- Confirms they have seen documentary evidence that you, the applicant, hold a level 2 qualification in Maths/numeracy.
Only applicants with a completed corresponding Headteacher declaration form will be accepted onto the qualification & offered a place in one of our delivery groups.
You can download the HLTA Headteacher declaration form from the link below:
HLTA Programme Information
Information on maths and English requirements for HLTA can be found within our Standard 11 Guidance Document.
Please note: if your certificates are in a different name to the one you currently use (for example, if you’ve been married and changed your surname) we’ll also need you to send us a copy of your certificate proving this.
You can either contact the examining body that you took the exam through for a replacement certificate (there is often a small fee for this).
Once you have read our Standard 11 Guidance Document, if you would like more information on the equivalency test, please contact hlta@bestpracticenet.co.uk.
You can take an equivalence entry test for the HLTA course in one or both required subjects.
Once you have read our Standard 11 Guidance Document, if you would like more information on the equivalency test, please contact hlta@bestpracticenet.co.uk.
Unfortunately, there is not currently any funding available from the government for HLTA programmes.
We base the location of preparation groups on the location of candidates who apply for the course to ensure that groups are as convenient as possible for as many as possible. As such, this can vary from cohort to cohort. Once you’ve made an application, we’ll contact you shortly after the application deadline to let you know where your group will be based.
If it turns out to be too far for you to travel, you can attend an online preparation programme instead, defer your place to a later cohort (when the group locations may be different), or withdraw from the programme free of charge.
For the standard online / face-to-face programme, you will need to be out of school for two single days, roughly six working-weeks apart (accounting for school holidays).
For the online option, you will need to be available either at school or at home, with school’s permission, to engage in online activities on two single days, again roughly six working weeks apart.
- assess your written tasks
- scrutinise your e-portfolio of documents
- interview you, a teacher (or teachers) you work closely with, and the headteacher (or their delegate) in order to verify whether you have met all the HLTA standard.
The assessment will take place via a video conferencing facility such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype. Full details will be provided as part of the preparation programme.
Our preparation for assessment typically takes place over a 6 week period. There are two preparation days (preparing you for the HLTA assessment) where you meet with your tutor and other participants that we call ‘candidates’. Between the two preparation days (typically 6 weeks apart) you will need to spend approximately one to two days drafting your assessment tasks, collecting evidence for your folder, reading through the support documentation provided and completing an online unit of support.
The preparation days prepare you on how to approach the eight required written tasks, the portfolio of documentary evidence and the assessment interview.
Through the eight written tasks you must demonstrate you meet all the HLTA standards except standard 11 which is demonstrated through your literacy / numeracy qualifications.
- Task 1: working with an individual.
- Task 2: working with a small group (3 or more children).
- Task 3: working with a whole class.
- Tasks 4-8: five situations/events that enable you to show you meet any remaining standards and/or those that need strengthening.
Please note: In all tasks, you must use examples of your employed work with children aged three or above. Work carried out as a volunteer is not admissible as evidence towards HLTA.
Interested? View our webinar recording here.
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