This is a National Programme co-ordinated by Regional Consortia, utilising a range of delivery partners, in collaboration with Local Authorities.

Audience

This Aspiring HLTA Programme is to support the most experienced Teaching Assistants who wish to further develop their skills and identify their readiness for HLTA Assessment.

Purpose

It is a 5-day programme (equivalent) delivered over 2 – 3 terms and examines the Professional Standards in depth. The programme explores the crucial role of Teaching Assistants in supporting the pupils and schools in achieving the objectives of the National Mission, Schools as Learning Organisations and developing Curriculum for Wales. Upon successful completion of this programme, Teaching Assistants are in a very strong position to identify their readiness for HLTA assessment.

Delivery method

The programme runs twice over the course of a year through the medium of Welsh or English. Candidates can follow the Welsh medium programme but complete their PLRs in English if they wish.

Delivery of the programme varies regionally from face-to-face session, half day online sessions or a combination of both. These sessions are designed to address core aspects of the programme and to deal with questions. Each session will take place during the school day. Schools will need to release candidates from their responsibilities for these times.

This development programme will consist of 4 modules:

Module 1 - Professional Learning, National Context and Collaboration

Module 2 - Influencing Learning, Refining Teaching and Collaboration

Module 3 - Advancing Learning and Collaboration

Module 4 - Leadership, Innovation and Collaboration

Candidates will be asked to complete short pieces of writing about a range of activities that they are involved in, including lessons with an individual pupil, a small group, and a whole class. Other activities might include such things as educational visits, meetings, and other everyday school situations.

These pieces of writing, ‘Professional Learning Reflections’ (PLR) are written and recorded

throughout the programme. They are then uploaded following the final session to support the HLTA assessment.

Application

Access to the programme is through a national application process and will be delivered by the regional consortia and their partners including Local Authorities. To be eligible for the Aspiring HLTA programme, candidates must:

• • Have sufficient experience and specialised skills to evidence sustained highly effective practice against the Professional Standards for Assisting Teaching.

  • Have or be willing to attain required level 2 qualifications* (Applicants without Level 2 qualifications can apply for this programme but must attain Level 2 prior to assessment).

  • Have some experience of leading the learning for whole classes. Teaching assistants who have limited experience of this may find that sufficient opportunities to teach classes can be arranged within the timescale of the programme. Headteachers will be asked to confirm that candidates have been or will be given these opportunities.

  • Have the full support of their Headteacher who will be required to endorse the application.

To apply to take part in the programme, the individual should:

1. Discuss their suitability with their Headteacher or line manager as appropriate

2. Submit a completed application form by the notified closing date using the application link.

Should you wish to discuss any aspect of the above, please contact your regional co-ordinator as detailed below.

CSC

Rebecca Roach - Rebecca.Roach@cscjes.org.uk 

EAS

Rachel Cowell - rachel.cowell@sewaleseas.org.uk 

GwE

Wendy Williams - WendyWilliams@gwegogledd.cymru

MWEP

Sarah Perdue - sarah.perdue@powys.gov.uk 

Alwyn Ward - Alwyn.Ward@ceredigion.gov.uk 

Partneriaeth

Heulwen Lloyd - heulwen.lloyd@partneriaeth.cymru