Universities, colleges, schools, local education authorities and private companies are among the first 36 approved providers of training and assessment for higher level teaching assistants (HLTA).

They have been selected by the teacher training agency (TTA) and will offer more than 7,000 places across England for individuals selected for training by local education authorities, starting from the end of April 2004. Eventually there will be 20,000 places per year.

People with HLTA status will have been trained to meet, and will be assessed against, national professional standards. Initially there will be two training programmes available:

• Assessment-only will allow those support staff who are already at or near the standards to achieve HLTA status swiftly
  
• Full training will last 50 days and is designed for people who require training to meet the standards.

Higher level teaching assistants will bring their skills and expertise to complement the work of teachers, giving them more time to help each pupil fulfil their potential. They will be among more than 225,000 people supporting the 430,000 teachers in England’s schools.

Jill Staley, Co-Director of Teacher Training Strategy for the TTA, said:

“The selection of these first approved training providers is a key development in the Government’s initiative to reform the school workforce.

“People with HLTA status will work in both primary and secondary schools under the direction of a teacher – sometimes with individuals and at other times in groups or with whole classes. They will be vital in helping teachers to have time to offer personalised learning for each of their pupils.

“These training providers have been chosen for their experience in high quality training and assessment, and head teachers, teachers and parents can be confident that they will set high standards in awarding HLTA status.”

Notes to editors

The list of bodies approved to provide HLTA training and assessment is published.

The TTA does not stipulate the content of HLTA training programmes, but prescribes the assessment tasks and processes that must be used. Initially, all those selected for the programmes by their local education authorities will already be working in schools.

The TTA expects those organisations listed today to retain their approved provider status until 31 December 2005. The period may be extended for a further two years, subject to national coverage of training provision, and satisfactory performance.

During the financial year 2004-05 funding from the TTA will be available to train more than 7,000 candidates by the full route, rising to 14,000 in 2005-06 and 20,000 by 2006-07. Providers will receive funding based on the route each trainee follows - £2,150 for full training, and £550 for assessment only. Providers will also receive a £5,000 set up grant from the TTA. The pricing system will be reviewed in December 2005.

The figure for the number of teachers and support staff is taken from the Department for Education and Skills’s survey of full time equivalent staff.

HLTA standards, published last September following a public consultation, are available on link provided

The TTA was established in 1994 and its purpose is to raise standards by attracting able and committed people to teaching and by improving the quality of training for teachers and the wider school workforce.

The Secretary of State announced on 29 March 2004 that he is extending the TTA’s remit to include training for school support staff, and continuing professional development for teachers.

Prospective applicants to Initial Teacher Training should visit get into teach link or contact the Teaching Information Line, tel: 0845 600 0991; E-mail: teaching@ttainfo.co.uk.

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