Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) are experienced teaching assistants who take on extra responsibilities in schools. They support teachers by helping with lesson planning, delivering learning activities to small groups or whole classes, and providing specialist support to pupils who need extra help. HLTAs also help with marking, supervising other support staff, and sometimes cover lessons in the absence of a teacher. To become an HLTA, you usually need to have significant experience as a teaching assistant and complete a nationally recognised HLTA status programme. The role is well-suited for individuals who enjoy working with children and want to make a difference in their education, but who may not want to train as a qualified teacher.
HLTAs in the UK typically earn between £21,000 and £27,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
There are approximately 30,000 HLTAs working in schools across England and Wales.
HLTAs usually work during school hours, around 32 to 37 hours per week, with most roles being term-time only.
Work specifically with students who have special educational needs, supporting their learning and helping them to achieve their full potential.
Focus on supporting pupils who need extra help with reading and writing, often working with small groups or one-to-one.
Assist teachers in nursery and reception classes, helping young children with their first steps in education and development.
Start by working as a Teaching Assistant (TA) in a primary, secondary, or special school.
You can search for TA positions on local council websites, school job boards, or through recruitment agencies. Some schools may offer entry-level roles which require little or no experience, though having some volunteering experience with children is beneficial.
Work on your communication, teamwork and classroom management skills while supporting teachers and pupils.
Take every opportunity to help with classroom activities, support individual or small groups of pupils, and assist with planning and resources. Building good relationships with staff and pupils will help you gain valuable skills and references.
Ensure you have GCSEs in English and Maths (or equivalent), as these are required for HLTA status.
If you do not already have these qualifications, you can take functional skills courses or GCSE resits at a local college or online. Some schools may help you access these courses.
Undertake a recognised HLTA preparation course, usually organised by your school or a local provider.
HLTA preparation programmes help you understand the professional standards required and prepare a portfolio of evidence. This typically includes observations, written statements and examples of your work supporting learning.
Take part in an HLTA assessment, where an external assessor will review your portfolio and observe your practice.
The assessment ensures you meet the national HLTA standards. You will need to demonstrate your ability to work independently with classes, plan learning activities and support pupils of different abilities.
Look for HLTA vacancies within your current school or other local schools.
Update your CV to highlight your HLTA status and relevant experience. You can search for jobs on school websites, local authority job boards, or specialist education recruitment sites.
Start taking on HLTA duties, such as leading groups, planning lessons, and occasionally covering classes.
Work closely with classroom teachers to ensure you are supporting learning effectively. You may also be asked to support with administrative tasks, help with special educational needs, or assist with behaviour management.
Engage in ongoing training and consider specialising in areas such as special educational needs or curriculum support.
Your school may offer additional courses or you could study for further qualifications, such as foundation degrees or specialist teaching assistant awards. This can help you progress further in your career.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA). Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) is most closely aligned with a Teaching Assistant because both roles involve supporting teachers directly in the classroom, working with pupils to facilitate learning and behaviour management. The HLTA role typically signifies a higher level of experience and responsibility within the teaching assistant position, but the core responsibilities remain similar.
You can get into this job through:
You could do a college course to gain some of the skills and knowledge you need to do this job.
Courses include:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply to do a Teaching Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
This takes up to 2 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and learning with a training provider.
You'll usually need:
Volunteering is an excellent way to get experience of working with children and young people. This can also help when looking for jobs.
You can get experience by volunteering in a local school or with a community organisation.
You can apply directly for jobs through schools, local authorities and academy trusts. Each school sets its own entry requirements, though you'll usually need GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths.
You'll also need to show that you can work well with children, teachers and parents. Volunteering, or a qualification in nursery work, childcare, playwork or youth work, may give you an advantage when applying for jobs.
Teaching assistants may specialise in the kind of extra support they give, for example with:
Teaching assistants are employed term-time only. A working week can vary from a few hours up to full time.
Advertised pay rates are often listed as full-time equivalent (FTE). Actual pay will depend on the number of hours worked.
You can find more on working as a teaching assistant from Skills for Schools.
You can also search for jobs using the Teaching Vacancies service.
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