The proposed standards have been developed to reflect the way in which HLTAs could support and assist teachers as part of a professional team to contribute to raising standards of pupils' achievement.

They are also intended to provide confidence to headteachers that HLTAs have the necessary skills, expertise and experience to take on a range of teaching and learning activities under the professional direction and supervision of a qualified teacher.

School Standards Minister David Miliband, said today:

'Teaching is a modern, changing profession, and schools have adapted to meet the demands of modern society by working in more sophisticated ways.

'The use of well-trained higher level teaching assistants will help schools ensure that higher standards are achieved in future. They will work under the direction and supervision of qualified teachers, push back boundaries, and play an important part in a revolution in the contribution made by support staff in our schools.

'Already there are well over 200,000 support staff - 50 per cent more than 1997 - working in England's schools. Over the next few years, while teacher numbers continue to rise, we shall also see support staff numbers continue to grow - we estimate at least by 50,000 this Parliament.

'This new initiative will enable support staff to gain recognition for their contribution and provide more opportunities to take on wider and deeper roles in support of teaching and learning.'

Ralph Tabberer, Chief Executive of the teacher training agency (TTA) which developed the proposed Standards, said:

'Our goal is continuously to improve the quality of training and support in schools. This new initiative gives us the opportunity to introduced focused training for those support staff who believe they can make an even bigger contribution in their schools. Having a more skilled HLTA tier will directly benefit pupils and teachers alike.

'The TTA's experience of developing professional standards for teachers has placed us in an ideal position to take forward this work. A clear set of national standards will help everyone. We also believe that the decision to relate the HLTA Standards to those for the award of qualified teacher status (QTS) will provide a structured progression route to QTS for those HLTAs who are qualified and choose to do so.

'The proposed standards published today have been drawn up after helpful preliminary discussions with a range of interested groups. Now we want to take fully into account the views of everyone interested in the quality of teaching and learning that will be provided by higher level teaching assistants.

'Once the new standards have been agreed with Ministers, we look forward to developing training programmes designed to help candidates meet the standards, so that they can make an immediate and effective contribution to pupil achievement.'

The consultation paper seeks views on determining whether the level of the proposed standards is appropriate, if any of the proposed standards would be difficult to meet given the range of contexts in which HLTAs may work, and if all key areas of potential HLTA work have been covered.

The consultation period lasts until 7 July 2003.

Notes for editors

This News Release applies to England only.

The consultation paper is available on the TTA's website, at www.tta.gov.uk/hlta, where responses and comments can be made. Alternatively, copies of the consultation paper are available from the DfES Publications Centre (Tel 0845 60 222 60), or dfes@prolog.co.uk, quoting the reference DfES/0295/2003.

Proposed changes to the school teachers' pay and Conditions and new draft regulations and guidance under section 133 of the Education Act 2002 are available at the DfES website.

The DfES paper 'Time for standards' said: 'We propose to commission the TTA to develop a set of standards for higher-level roles and a training programme to meet those standards. This will help support staff demonstrate their potential to progress and will provide head teachers with an indication of the level of supervision by a qualified teacher which will be appropriate in the particular circumstances. The expectation is that those who successfully complete the training will be better prepared to work more independently.'

A pilot training programme is expected to start by the end of the year. 'Time for standards' says Ministers envisage a programme that can build up to 20,000 places per year.

Media enquiries

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Prospective applicants to Initial Teacher Training should visit the TTA website or contact the Teaching Information Line: 0845 600 0991.