HLTA - TA or Teacher -

Case study HLTAs in Primary Schools

Chantry Primary School, Luton
HLTA

Becoming a HLTA
At Denbigh Junior School I worked with two hearing impaired children. Initially, I supported the children within the classroom but, having quickly gained experience, I taught small groups of different ability levels in a variety of subjects. I attended Sign Language classes, numerous courses on specific Special Needs and began to appreciate the problems that many children have in accessing the curriculum. With support and dedication I increased their confidence, enabling them to become more independent learners.

In 2000, I moved to Chantry Primary School to support a child with ADHD but soon accepted a more general position working with small groups across the primary age range. I then began ‘covering’ classes when teachers were absent and quickly adapted to the challenges which I encountered in all year groups. When a member of staff in year 6 went on long term sick leave I was given responsibility for the class for several weeks, I ‘job shared’ with a qualified teacher for a term in year 1 covering another teachers maternity leave. I then found myself leading a Reception class for a year. Soon I had a number of important responsibilities - contributing to daily planning, writing IEP’s, preparing resources, monitoring and assessing pupils progress and liaising with parents to name just a few. When HLTA was launched, I decided that it was time to gain official recognition of my capabilities and to enhance my personal development. So I undertook the 3 day HLTA preparation and successfully gained the status in March 2005.

What has HLTA status meant?
My school recognises the importance of well-trained, experienced support staff as being essential to the continuing development of the school and this has increased my confidence in performing effectively within my role.

In September 2006 I became an HLTA mentor and I have attended open afternoons to talk about my experience, in the hope that other Teaching Assistants will undertake the training and assessment required to gain HLTA status.

Nicky Cusack
My career path to HLTA.

Getting involved at school

I was first employed as a Learning Support Assistant in 1997.

My role as a HLTA
I have continued to have whole class responsibility throughout the week. As well as this, together with a new HLTA at Chantry, we hold regular TA meetings in order to monitor performance, organise training and to act as communicators between Support Staff and Senior Management.