HLTAs

[mrsnjw]

Do HLTAs have to hold a qualification in HLTAing or can the school use its discretion and deem a person competent enough to take classes, in primary. I thought they had to hold additional qualifications? Thank you

HLTA is a level 4 qualification (highest for a normal TA is Level 3). Quite a few of the HLTAs in my school are former teachers, so they were not expected to get the specific HLTA qualification.

Interesting, they are more than qualified if they were a teacher. I’m just surprised a school can employ a someone has a hlta if no additional qualifications have been taken.

The headteacher has to be satisfied that the person has the skills, expertise and experience necessary for the job. They don’t need to hold any particular qualifications.

Everyday is a school day. I assumed that they could only be employed as a hlta if they held the additional qualifications.

HLTA is a status not a qualification at Level 4. You have to prove you meet a certain set of standards to obtain that but it isn’t a qualification as such.

so if they advertise for a hlta they could employ someone who has done the job previously but hold no additional status?

Yes. It ought to be fairly easy for such a person to satisfy the head that they have the necessary skills, expertise and experience.

Our most recent HLTA recruit had never stepped foot in a classroom previously! She had a degree and had been successful in her previous career. She also had children on roll at the school. TBH recruiting TA’s and HLTA’s is challenging as the salary is low. Our leadership team deemed her suitable - she was teaching on her first day and teaches (covers) every day - following teachers planning. Honestly parents have no idea what is going on in schools - unqualified people teaching their kids…

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