I have been offered a HLTA position but the work load for the pay seems a lot, so if there are any current HLTAs or you know of any, then I’d love to know your opinion.
I completed my PGCE in secondary teaching.
I then did a teaching position for a maternity position and as that started coming to an end I was offered a position in the SEND ARB which meant I was able to finish my NQT.
I have absolutely loved working in the ARB and although the behaviour can be quite extreme (violent behaviour - swearing, hitting, kicking, throwing chairs and tables at me etc, locking doors to protect other students, chasing them when they’ve climbed the fence and ran off site etc as well as other non violent behaviours from students with SEND) I truly enjoy it there and I feel I fit in well.
They’ve offered me a FT permanent position for September which I was very excited about but every day it seems I am learning about more things that I’ll have to do as part of my role.
The current HLTAs have warned me about the workload and crap pay and there is a very high staff turnover (which is how I’m doing cover now).
My wage will be £12 an hour but it is pro-rata so I won’t get paid for the holidays and so my actual pay will be a lot less.
The hours are contracted at 8:30-4:30 and I do not get paid for breaks or lunch.
I have to do break duties on a rota which are unpaid and lunch duties on a rota which are paid at £1.50 per duty.
I will be teaching 3 subjects - 1 core, 1 non core and one that is PHSE/life skills.
I will be teaching all day, everyday apart from twice a week which I will get my PPA.
The class sizes are all around 10 students each and with some of the classes I’ll have a TA but some I’ll be on my own.
I’m responsible for all of the lesson planning and marking.
I’m also responsible for all of the exams - setting them and marking them, then sending them off.
And as the previous teacher left suddenly and didn’t leave anything, I’m having to ring up the exam board and try and work out what i’m doing as I have no experience with entry level exams.
There is also no scheme of work.
So i’m having to look through their books to see what they’ve already done then go onto the national curriculum and design a long term lesson plan/curriculum that I can teach.
There are no workbooks or anything that I can follow. I’m mainstream we were told what we’d be teaching and had class workbooks so you at least had a rough idea.
I also have to update their progress every week on an online platform for all 50 students, as well as fill in their EHCPs and writing in their home diaries everyday.
The role is a HLTA but apart from the class sizes, I’ll be doing very similar to a teachers role and I’ll be on less than minimum wage for doing so.
I’m seriously considering not taking it but as I enjoy it there I’m wondering whether to do it for a while to get more experience.
Does anyone know if this is the norm?
Any advice you have would be great!