HLTA responsibilities

[StrongerThanIThought76]

Took on a role as an HLTA this term. Secondary, assigned to one department. Was told that there would be minimum marking, scheme of work provided etc

Started job to find that I am NOT assigned a lead teacher and am in sole charge of the teaching of this subject to my groups. I am expected to do ALL planning and preparation myself, lots of differentiation required. I am not a specialist in this subject but have some experience in it and my own A level. No lesson plans on school network. Not able to attend departmental meetings (and wouldn't be paid if I could) and not given set (or paid) time off-timetable to do planning.

It is way too much to fit into my paid hours yet I know that I am more than capable of delivering with research and good planning. That I am sitting doing at 9pm on a Friday, in my own time.

I feel that if I quit I'd be leaving everyone in the lurch (especially the kids) but when I've taken on similar roles (with actually fewer responsibilities) I've been paid at unqualified teacher rate which is considerably more than I'm getting.

Asolutely need to maintain positive relationship with school. And I genuinely love working with these kids.

WWYD?

[LatteLover12]

Hell no. You are not a teacher.

If they want to treat you as a teacher then they need to pay you as a teacher and give you PPA.

Is there someone you have a good relationship with you could chat to? Are you in a union?

Don’t worry about leaving anyone in the lurch, it’s not your responsibility! They’re taking the piss.

[IceRebel]

I can't beat the above poster's advice, it's also a HELL NO from me too.

Please talk the senior management about this, if you were promised minimum marking and schemes of work then they should honor that. If they refuse to change then I would leave. You say you've been in similar roles before you so I doubt you'll struggle to find something else. Don't feel like you need to maintain a positive relationship with the school, as they obviously don't care about you, and the longer you're there the more they will take advantage of your goodwill.

[thebookeatinggirl]

That's completely outrageous and should not be happening.

You need to speak to someone urgently. I'd start with the Head of your dept.
Ask for a scheme of work and resources. Explain what you said in your post, that you were told they were available. You should not be planning from scratch.

No disrespect to you, but as a parent I would be horrified if my Secondary aged child was being taught a subject by an unsupported, unqualified HLTA,
You may well be brilliant and committed but that's not the point.

What sort of school is it? LEA, Academy or Independent?

[Xander2018]

Hi,

I need some advise. Ive come back to work as an HLTA 4 days a week. I currently teach 9 lessons where I have to plan, deliver and mark all work. They have someone covering the year 11 work. I was told that they have extended my part time working hours till December but have told me I will be lead on my subject. They have given me 21 lessons to plan and deliver. I feel like they have given me 5 days work in 4.

I am teaching 1 more lesson that a qualified teacher and when I confronted the AH she told me it was because I don't teach GCSE.

can someone give me some advise as I think Ive been given far too much work!

[noblegiraffe]

You say no and tell them if they want a teacher they have to hire a teacher and pay teacher wages.


Taking the piss.

[Chocolate35]

Arrange a meeting with your line manager and explain that your workload is impossible in the given time. Tell them that in order to do your job properly you need PPA time. I was in a similar position once, luckily my manager saw that the quality of my work was much better when I had time to plan it properly, at school. They are really taking the piss. Good luck OP.

[Xander2018]

I have a meeting with them tomorrow. However when I emailed to arrange a meeting they called me up and asked if it was about my timetable as someone already mentioned that I raised some issues. They said they would fit me in if they had time but my timetable will not change. So they haven’t even heard my reasons and already said that it’s not going to change

[Chocolate35]

They sound like horrible people to work for. I’d be job hunting if I were you. But tomorrow focus on why what they are asking is unreasonable and politely remind them that you are only contacted for x amount of hours.