Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

Employment details

• Reports to: Deputy Headteachers/Headteacher
• Hours of work: 30 hours
• Salary: Scale 4 - £18,443 Term Time Only (FTE £26,403)

General duties

• Assist teaching staff in preparing classrooms for lessons and activities.
• Assist with school trips, events, and activities.
• Encourage pupils to interact with others and engage in activities led by teaching staff.
• Supervise pupils’ work and offer support where necessary.
• Provide administrative and clerical support to teaching staff and other TAs regarding lesson planning and resources.
• Monitor the needs and behaviour of pupils, and report these to teaching staff where appropriate.
• Undertake pupil record keeping as requested, e.g. taking registers.
• Assist teaching staff and other TAs with creating and maintaining displays throughout the school.
• Establish and maintain constructive relationships with pupils’ parents and deliver pastoral support as required.
• Be a good role model to pupils in terms of behaviour and attitude.
• Provide teaching cover as and when required.
• Take a lead role in supporting pupils with SEND.
• Work independently and collaboratively with teaching staff in the planning and preparation of resources and delivery of the curriculum.
• Advise, demonstrate and assist in the safe and effective use of specialist equipment and resources.
• Be proactive in managing pupil behaviour.

Supporting the school

• Contribute to the ethos, values, and aims of the school.
• Comply with all relevant legislation and school policies, including those relating to safeguarding, health and safety and data protection.
• Promote inclusion and acceptance of all pupils.
• Assist with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times, including before and after school and at lunchtimes.
• Maintain good working relationships with other staff members and keyholders, including parents and external agencies.
• Share expertise and skills with other staff members.
• Participate in meetings as required.
• Undertake any duties which may reasonably fall within the level of responsibility and competence of the post, as directed by the headteacher.
• Work with line managers on timetable arrangements.

Teaching and learning

• Develop a secure knowledge of the learning support needs of individual pupils.
• Identify where pupils are struggling, e.g. engaging with a particular topic, and support them in understanding the information and completing the work.
• Support the use of ICT and computing in learning activities, and develop pupils’ competence and independence in its use.
• Undertake activities set by teaching staff with individuals or groups of pupils to support pupils’ learning.
• Assist teaching staff in implementing a variety of teaching strategies that support pupils in achieving their learning goals.
• Assist teaching staff and the SENCO with the creation of individual learning plans for pupils.
• Provide new and ongoing support for individuals or groups of pupils who need extra interventions to achieve their potential.
• Provide support to pupils in specialist areas of learning as required.
• Implement individual support for pupils based on their needs and circumstances, e.g. deliver support in line with a pupil’s EHC plan.
• Determine the need for specialist equipment and resources to support pupils’ learning.
• Modify teaching and adapt activities to suit pupils’ individual needs.
• Identify ways to improve pupil performance.
• Assess, record and report on the progress of pupils and use this information to extend their learning.

Communication and coordination

• Work closely with teaching staff, other TAs and the SENCO to close the attainment gap between individual pupils, groups of pupils, and their peers.
• Assist the SENCO in the production of a timetable that ensures pupils are not repeatedly missing the same lesson to join interventions.
• Contribute towards pupils’ annual reviews and report on the effectiveness of the interventions in place.
• Assist in arranging extra time and access arrangements, as appropriate, where external examinations or tests are administered.
• Liaise with the SENCO regularly to review the progress of individual pupils with SEND and the overall SEND provision in the school.
• Assist in the coordination and provision of interventions for named pupils or groups of pupils.

Professional development

• Participate in training and other professional development as required.
• Provide the school with feedback on any training or professional development undertaken.
• Report professional development progress to an assigned mentor and set goals for further professional development.
• Undertake line management responsibilities of other TAs where appropriate.
• Be responsible for disseminating training to other TAs and teaching staff as appropriate.
• Act as a point of contact for other professionals, e.g., speech and language therapists, specialists and parents.

HLTA person specification

Qualifications and training

• Essential: Two or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 or equivalent, including English and maths. A degree in a relevant field or other relevant qualification, HLTA, QTS. Meet the HLTA standards or equivalent. First aid training. Safeguarding training. Evidence of relevant CPD. Relevant qualifications to at least the level of qualification.
• Desirable: Additional experience or qualifications above the essential criteria (not specified).

Skills and experience

• Essential: Experience of working with children. Experience in record keeping and monitoring. Effective oral and written communication skills. Demonstrable levels of numeracy and literacy. Effective problem-solving skills. The ability to remain calm under pressure. The ability to be proactive in seeking solutions. The ability to work with pupils in a professional manner. Strong ICT skills. Experience of teaching individuals, groups and whole classes. Knowledge of SEND provision. Experience working with children and young people with additional needs. Experience of working in an educational environment. Experience working on a one-to-one basis. Good organisational skills and time management. Experience leading and managing other support staff. Experience in a specialist area. Experience in multi-agency working.
• Desirable: Additional experience or qualifications above the essential criteria (not specified).

Knowledge

• Essential: Knowledge of areas of legislation relevant to child protection and safeguarding. Knowledge of relevant school policies. Knowledge of the curriculum. Knowledge of the HLTA standards.
• Desirable: Knowledge of legislation and statutory guidance specific to primary schools. Knowledge of a specialist area.

Personal traits

• Able to work independently but also as part of a team.
• Dedicated to their practice.
• Punctual and professional.
• Able to maintain successful working relationships with colleagues.
• Reliable and able to be flexible in their approach to work.
• Positive and engaging.
• Able to plan and take control of situations.
• Capable of handling demanding workload and successfully prioritising work.
• Empathetic to those who face barriers to their learning.
• Patient with pupils who take longer to understand information.

Additional requirements

• The capacity to work flexibly.
• An enhanced DBS check.
• Available references from a previous employer or organisation.