How to Become a HLTA

Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status is a nationally recognised standard for experienced support staff who take on greater responsibility in the classroom. 

HLTAs play a vital role in supporting teaching and learning, leading small groups, covering classes and contributing to pupil progress. This route is ideal for teaching assistants who want to develop their skills, as well as teachers who want to support colleagues moving into more advanced roles. 

This article explains what HLTA status involves, how to meet the requirements, and what the assessment process looks like.

Key Takeaways

• HLTA status is a formal recognition of advanced skills, enabling support staff to take on higher-level responsibilities, including covering whole classes.

• You’ll need Level 2 literacy and numeracy, solid experience in the classroom and strong support from your school.

• HLTA status is achieved through a national assessment process that checks your evidence against the HLTA standards.

• Becoming a HLTA opens up wider opportunities, including specialist support roles and, for some, routes into teacher training.

What Is a HLTA?

A HLTA is an experienced member of support staff who works more independently than a standard Teaching Assistant (TA). While TAs provide general day-to-day support, HLTAs take on higher-level responsibilities that contribute more directly to teaching and learning. These typically include:

• Leading learning for small groups – guiding focused activities or interventions designed to reinforce classroom teaching and support pupils who need additional help.

• Supporting planning and assessment – contributing ideas, adapting resources, and feeding back on how pupils respond to activities.

• Delivering pre-prepared lessons – taking pupils through teacher-planned content with confidence and clarity when the class teacher is unavailable.

• Covering teacher absence under direction of senior staff – supervising a whole class, maintaining routines and ensuring learning continues in line with the teacher’s plans.

• Supporting behaviour and pastoral needs – helping to maintain a positive learning environment and providing reassurance, consistency and guidance to pupils.

• Contributing to pupil progress records – sharing observations, noting successes or concerns, and supporting teachers in tracking progress over time.

The key difference is that HLTAs are trained and assessed against national standards, giving schools confidence that they can take on responsibilities normally associated with classroom supervision and structured learning support.

What Are the Entry Requirements?

To pursue HLTA status, candidates normally need:

• Level 2 literacy and numeracy (equivalent to GCSE English and Maths) – this ensures you can confidently support reading, writing and mathematical skills across the curriculum.

• Substantial experience working as a TA or in another school-based role – practical classroom experience is essential, as the HLTA role requires confidence in routines, expectations and typical learning needs.

• Evidence of contributing to learning, such as leading interventions or supporting behaviour – assessors look for examples that show you already work beyond general TA duties and positively impact pupil progress.

• Support from the school, including a member of staff who can help guide preparation – schools must confirm that you are ready for assessment and able to take on HLTA responsibilities, often with a mentor to help gather evidence.

While no specific academic qualification beyond Level 2 is required, schools expect candidates to have strong practical skills, consistent performance and a good understanding of teaching and learning.

How to Gain HLTA Status

HLTA status is awarded through a structured national assessment process. Candidates demonstrate that they meet the HLTA standards (opens in a new tab), which cover planning, teaching, assessment, behaviour, relationships and professional conduct.

The Preparation Process

Before assessment, candidates work with their school to:

• Identify areas where they already meet the standards.

• Take on broader responsibilities to build evidence.

• Collect examples of work that show impact on learning.

• Work with a mentor (often a teacher or senior TA).

• Complete any recommended training or Level 2 qualifications if needed.

Preparation is largely evidence-based, so developing a clear portfolio of work is essential.

The HLTA Assessment

The assessment is carried out by an external HLTA assessor. It usually includes:

• A portfolio review, where your written evidence is checked against the standards.

• An interview, exploring how you support learning and manage responsibilities.

• Discussions with colleagues, such as teachers or line managers.

• Sometimes an observation of practice, depending on the assessment route.

You do not need to teach a full lesson during assessment, but you must show that you can confidently support and lead learning under teacher direction.

Skills and Experience You’ll Need

HLTAs need a blend of practical classroom skills and professional attributes, such as:

• Confidence in leading learning and covering classes – HLTAs are expected to take responsibility for the class when the teacher is absent, so they must feel comfortable guiding pupils through pre-planned lessons.

• Strong behaviour management – Consistent, calm behaviour strategies help maintain a positive learning environment when leading groups or supervising a whole class.

• Ability to deliver interventions and guided group work – HLTAs often run targeted support sessions, so they must be skilled at adapting activities to meet different pupils’ needs.

• Understanding of planning, assessment and differentiation – While HLTAs do not plan full sequences of lessons, they must understand how learning is structured and how to support pupils at different stages.

• Clear communication with pupils and staff – Strong communication ensures instructions are understood, expectations are clear and feedback is shared effectively with teachers.

• Ability to use data and feedback to support progress – HLTAs frequently contribute to pupil records and progress discussions, so they need to interpret information and adjust support accordingly.

• Flexibility, initiative and strong organisational skills – The role is varied and fast-paced, requiring HLTAs to adapt quickly, manage resources and respond independently to classroom needs.

Schools look for individuals who consistently demonstrate reliability, independence and a positive impact on learning.

What Can HLTAs Do That TAs Can’t?

While TAs support learning under close teacher direction, HLTAs are trained to work more independently. Key differences include:

• Covering whole classes for short periods, using teacher-prepared plans.

• Leading planned interventions and small-group teaching.

• Supporting planning by contributing ideas and adapting resources.

• Feeding back on pupil progress, including informal assessment.

• Taking a more active role in behaviour support and classroom routines.

HLTAs help bridge the gap between teachers and support staff, providing continuity and stability in teaching and learning.

Career Progression After Becoming a HLTA

HLTA status can be a valuable stepping stone to further career opportunities. Many HLTAs go on to:

• Train as teachers through school-based routes such as School Direct (opens in a new tab) or Apprenticeship QTS pathways (opens in a new tab).

• Move into specialist roles such as SEN support, pastoral care or behaviour mentoring.

• Progress into leadership positions within support teams.

• Take on responsibilities for interventions, mentoring new TAs or coordinating support provision.

For those interested in teaching, HLTA experience is especially useful for building classroom confidence and pedagogical knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a teaching qualification to be a HLTA?

No. You do not need QTS or a teaching degree to become a HLTA. However, you must meet all of the HLTA standards and hold Level 2 literacy and numeracy. Schools also expect strong classroom experience and the ability to work independently with pupils.

Can a HLTA teach a whole class?

Yes. HLTAs are allowed to cover whole classes using teacher-prepared lesson plans, usually when the class teacher is absent or completing other duties. However, they are not responsible for long-term planning, marking or assessment in the same way as qualified teachers.

How long does it take to become a HLTA?

This varies depending on your experience and how quickly you can gather evidence. Most candidates spend several weeks preparing their portfolio, and once everything is submitted, the external assessment is usually completed within a term.

Final Thoughts

HLTA status is a valuable and respected step for support staff who want to develop their careers and play a more influential role in teaching and learning. It offers the opportunity to deepen classroom responsibilities, lead learning with greater independence and make a measurable impact on pupil progress. With strong support from their school, careful preparation and a clear understanding of the HLTA standards, candidates can approach the assessment process with confidence.

For many, becoming a HLTA is not just a qualification but a pathway to wider opportunities, from specialist support roles to school-based teacher training routes. It helps build the skills, confidence and professional identity needed to progress. For teachers and school leaders, understanding the HLTA pathway is equally important, as it supports effective mentoring, strengthens teamwork and helps build a more skilled and collaborative workforce that benefits the whole school community.

References

Professional standards for HLTAs (opens in a new tab)

School Direct (opens in a new tab)

Apprenticeship QTS Pathways (opens in a new tab)