What is a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant? | HLTA Explained

What is a teaching assistant? 

Teaching assistants are vital members of staff in schools. They play a key role in supporting the education and development of children, as well as supporting teachers with their lessons and preparation. TA’s will often work with groups of students to improve key skills like reading, writing, and maths. 

Some teaching assistants will train to work with children with special educational needs (SEN). 

A teaching assistants' primary roles will likely include: 

• Support children in becoming independent learners by keeping them focused and explaining tasks. 
• Listen to children read individually or in groups. 
• Provide emotional and social support, reporting any concerns to staff. 
• Set up and prepare the classroom, creating displays and arranging activities. 
• Monitor children's progress and share feedback with teachers. 
• Assist teachers in managing challenging behaviour and promoting positive conduct. 
• Help with school trips and in-school visitors. 
• Organise extracurricular clubs such as sports or homework clubs. 
• Source materials to support learning. 
• Offer first aid when needed. 
• Supervise playground duties during breaks. 
  

How much does a teaching assistant earn? 

The average salary for a teaching assistant in the UK starts at £21,000 and goes up to roughly £25,000 for a more experienced teaching assistant. You would typically expect to work between 16-36 hours during term time to earn this wage. 

How to become a teaching assistant 

There are different ways that you could potentially become a teaching assistant. This includes: 

Completing a course 

You can decide to complete a course, either online or in-person, in order to gain relevant skills and experience needed to help you work within the role. 

We have a number of online courses that will help you develop crucial skills, including our Children And Young People's Mental Health short CPD course, or our free Neuroscience in Early Years course. 

Completing an apprenticeship 

An apprenticeship is a great way to get your foot in the door by earning as you learn. We do offer a Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprenticeship; however, you do need to currently be employed within a school setting. 

Volunteering 

While volunteering may not be feasible for everyone, it allows you to get excellent firsthand experience working with children and young people in a school environment. You may be able to get volunteering experience with your local school or community organisation. 

Applying directly 

You can apply for roles as a teaching assistant directly through schools, job boards, local authorities, and academy trusts. Every school will have its own requirements, but you will usually need to have at least GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths (If you do not currently have this, we offer functional skills Maths & English qualifications at GCSE equivalent.) 

What is a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) 

A HLTA plays a crucial role in schools, providing much needed support for teachers as they are able to cover and teach classes on their own, allowing teachers more time to plan lessons and mark work. As part of the HLTA role, they will also help with lesson planning and evaluating the progress that students are making in the classroom. 

Higher-level teaching assistants use their subject knowledge in areas like reading and maths to offer extra support to students who need it. They work closely with teachers to ensure lessons are effective and tailored to students' needs. HLTAs continuously enhance their skills with new teaching techniques and manage administrative tasks, including updating parents on student progress. As role models, they demonstrate effective learning strategies and inspire students to engage more fully in their education. 

Common roles and responsibilities of a HLTA include: 

• Classroom Oversight: Manage classes in the teacher's absence, ensuring a positive learning environment. 
• Lesson Development: Design and implement lessons tailored to student needs. 
• Learning Support: Provide targeted assistance to enhance understanding and progress. 
• Performance Assessment: Evaluate student performance and give constructive feedback. 
• Specialised Assistance: Offer help in literacy, numeracy, or special educational needs (SEN). 
• Collaboration: Work with teachers on strategies and resources to support students. 
• Professional Development: Participate in training to improve skills and stay updated. 
• Administrative Duties: Manage record-keeping and prepare classroom materials. 
• Parent Communication: Update parents on student progress and behaviour. 
• Behaviour Management: Foster a positive environment and address disruptions. 
• Role Modelling: Demonstrate enthusiasm for learning and personal growth. 
• Professional Standards: Maintain professionalism and adhere to school policies. 
• Teamwork: Collaborate with colleagues to enhance educational outcomes. 
• Self-Reflection: Assess teaching practices and seek feedback for improvement. 
  

How do I become a HLTA? 

To become a higher-level teaching assistant, you must achieve a qualification. We offer a Level 4 HLTA qualification for just £480 (or from £47 per month), allowing you to gain the qualification and take the next steps in your career.  

To complete this qualification you must fit into the following criteria: 

• Must be working within a current Teaching Assistant role 
• Achievement of the Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or indication of fundamental proficiency through completion of a skills assessment scan is required. 
• Must have GCSE in Maths and English 
• (Recommended) Individuals with extensive experience as a TA, but lacking formal qualifications, may still be considered based on their experience (with a minimum of 5 years). A letter of confirmation from the school is necessary in such cases. 

Purchase your HLTA qualification today.