Unit One - Understand the Higher-Level Teaching Assistant role

Assessment One
Please answer the questions below.
You must include reference to wider reading in your responses.

1) Explain the function, role and responsibilities of a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant

(AC: 1.1, 1.2,1.3) (200 words).
HLTAs are considered an intermediary between teacher and teaching assistant. It is their
function to support teaching and learning by planning and delivering lessons. HLTAs in
most school settings provide cover for teachers and manage whole class in their absence.
They regulate behaviour of students and promote positive conduct at all times. They also
work with groups of children or individual students as required. It is the responsibility of
HLTA to ensure effective communication both with pupils as well as colleagues. It is crucial
for developing positive, professional relationships with colleagues and students. HLTA
must promote British values such as inclusivity, mutual respect, tolerance etc. A
responsible HLTA will uphold highest standards of performance and would expect the
same from others. They will strive for academic excellence of all students and achieve
positive outcomes. It is the responsibility of HLTA to meet the targets that were set and
satisfy objectives of each lesson. HLTAs are responsible for providing feedback to teachers
regarding class behaviour and assessments. HLTAs ensure continuity in delivery of lessons
and significantly reduce teacher’s work load. They are also responsible for
assessing,recording and reporting pupils’ progress. They are well aware of students’ issues
and work effectively to resolve them.

2) Explain why it is necessary to undertake continuing professional development

(AC: 2.1) (150 words).
Undertaking Continuing Professional Development or CPD is essential in the modern world
where things are changing every minute in every field. With every passing moment new
problems and innovative advancements are coming to surface. CPD ensures a person has up
to date knowledge in their field so they can perform their duties in the best possible
manner. It equips them with latest knowledge and polishes their skills. Professionals know
about the new issues and latest practices to resolve them, they become aware of any new
research, theories and practices in their field. Undertaking CPD boosts confidence and
prepares professionals to face new challenges confidently. This helps professionals gain
qualifications and progress in their careers . They could get a better job and hence higher
wages resulting in better standards of living. The already available experience of
professionals combined with all the knowledge and confidence gained from undertaking CPD
produces excellent employees for any setting.

3) Analyse the benefits to practice of continuing professional development

(AC: 2.2) (150 words).
There are many benefits of continuing professional development, such as:
1. It equips them with latest knowledge and polishes their skills.
2. Undertaking CPD boosts confidence and prepares professionals to face new challenges
confidently. This helps professionals gain qualifications and progress in their careers .
3. They could get a better job and hence higher wages resulting in better standards of living.
4. The already available experience of professionals combined with all the knowledge and
confidence gained from undertaking CPD produces excellent employees for any setting.
5. Performance of professionals improves significantly after taking CPD.
6. CPD is a great way of acknowledging and appreciating staff by providing them opportunities to
broaden their knowledge and improve their skills without compromising their job role.
7. Professionals stay vigilant and motivated when engaged in CPD from time to time.
8. CPD is the most convenient way for growth. It results in growth of capabilities of employees.
Outcomes and performance of employees grow which results in positive growth for employer as
well. It produces a win-win situation for all in the long run.

4) Describe how to implement feedback received from colleagues to enhance your knowledge and
skill set.
(AC: 2.3) (150 words).
Along with CPD, HLTAs must review their progress and performance regularly. They should
gain feedback from their colleagues and other team members as well as students and their
parents. This feedback should be implemented by pointing out areas of weaknesses and
improving them effectively. Strengths should be solidified and kept consistent . All the
practices hindering success must be uprooted in the light of feedback gained from
colleagues. Positive feedback should be discussed to enable fellow colleagues to learn and
benefit from it. Negative feedback should also be discussed to ensure it is addressed and
suitable action is taken to bring improvement. Feedback works by providing an insight in the
performance of HLTA and it benefits the whole staff and provides a wonderful opportunity
not only for learning but discussion and building positive, professional relationships.While
considering and reflecting on feedback from colleagues, HLTA can also decide on future
courses to take and what areas to explore in CPD.

5) Explain the advantages of working as a team

(AC: 3.1) (150 words).
It is commonly said, “ Teamwork makes the dream work.” This is very true as teams are built
with the sole purpose of achieving something far greater than what one individual can
achieve. The synergy results in success and wonderful results. Teams produce greater and
more consistent results than single individuals, way more efficiently and quickly. Different
people in a team have different skills which they utilize to the best of their capabilities
hence succeeding as a team. While working together they form strong, positive relationships
offering each other support,advice and guidance in many matters. They get opportunity to
brainstorm and share ideas as well as provide feedback and assistance where and when
 needed. If a person falls behind in a team , other members pull them back up resulting in
continued performance. Teams ensure excellent output, continuous progress, ongoing
professional development, endless support, realistic feedback and produce impeccable work
ethics.

6) Identify the roles within your team

(AC:3.2) (200 words).
I work in a primary school as a 1:1 SEN TA and at the same time work as TA for the whole
class as and when required. In a class of roughly thirty there are two adults; class teacher
and myself. Class teacher manages the whole class, sets a timetable,manages behaviour ,
plans and delivers the lessons. I work with a SEN child to make sure she participates in the
class and learns what others are learning, secondly I support a second autistic child and once
that’s completed I go around the class taking care of other jobs that need to be done such as
marking and helping children with their work or reading with them. Outside the classroom I
have our SENDCOs who manage meetings and plans for SEN child I support. They ensure
that parents/guardians of the child and all other agencies working with the child for their
SEND are on the same page . They ensure all matters regarding the child are carried out in
the child’s best interest and in accordance to set policies and procedures. They are there to
provide guidance and support with all matters relating the child.I also work with P.E teacher
who plans and deliver P.E lessons to the class . I listen to their instructions and guidance to
the class and ensure there are no incidents during P.E lesson especially for SEN children. I
also work closely with HLTAs and Cover Supervisors who take hold of the class when class
teacher is in PPA. Next, we have Assistant Head Teachers who are there to ensure
everything goes smoothly in school and all matters are aptly dealt with. They address all the
queries I take to them and provide necessary support and guidance. Part of a wider team is
also the office administration staff who I refer to regarding any issues such as payslips etc.
7) Analyse opportunities for collaborative working within your own team
(AC: 3.3) (150 words).
A team is a team because of collaboration it has between all team members. In my school, I
keep the children as my main priority while working. I work very closely with the class
teacher to ensure all the children get the most out of every lesson and are able to thrive. I
ensure SEN children are able to follow the instructions of the teacher and things run
smoothly. All class teachers collaborate with support staff in their classes as well as with
each other and higher leadership. They have regular meetings with them to ensure every
matter is taken care of. Parents also form a crucial part of a broader team and they are kept
up to date regarding their children to acknowledge their wins and ensure any shortcomings
are removed. At times children become part of the team by listening to instructions and
making sure they perform their little jobs in the school and classroom.
8) Explain how you can contribute to the development of effective practice of your own team
members
(AC: 3.4) (150 words).
It is widely said “ Action speaks louder than words.” I follow a strategy of lead by example, I
perform the best I can and in the most professional manner. This shows others what a good
example is. Secondly, I discuss with my team members if I see any matter that needs to be
discussed. I provide suggestions and even guidance where necessary especially to younger ,
newer colleagues if they seek it. I share my ideas in regular discusssions and brainstorm with
them possible solutions of a problem. I provide my insight and observations and work out
ways to perform better. Thirdly, I work with other team members and support them with
their tasks especially if I see a team member in a challenging situation. I ensure punctuality
on my behalf so that performance of others is not affected. I myself am always keen to
undertake any CPD and encourage my team members to do that as well this greatly
increases the performance of the team.