Higher Level Teaching Assistant Preparation course
Flexible study to fit around your work commitments
Empowering Teaching Assistants to Lead, Support, and Inspire
Edge Hill University (EHU) is proud to be recognised nationally for its outstanding contribution to education workforce development. Our HLTA Preparation Course is designed for experienced Teaching Assistants (TAs) who are ready to take the next step in their careers. Delivered online over 3–6 months, this flexible programme supports TAs in gaining the nationally recognised HLTA status—enhancing their skills, confidence, and professional standing.
Why Teaching Assistants matter
Teaching Assistants are the backbone of inclusive education. They provide essential support to pupils—especially those with additional needs—reinforce learning, and help create a positive, well-managed classroom environment. Their role is critical in delivering individualised education, health and care plans, and in building trusted relationships that boost pupil engagement and well-being.
Despite their importance, many schools face challenges in recruiting and retaining TAs due to limited career progression. The HLTA qualification offers a solution—providing formal recognition, career development, and a pathway to further qualifications such as the Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship.
Course overview
This HLTA Preparation Course is tailored for TAs who are:
- Currently employed in a school setting
- Seeking to advance their pedagogical skills
- Seeking to apply for HLTA assessment
Course format:
- Fully online
- Duration: 3–6 months
- Flexible study to fit around your work commitments
Course benefits
- Preparation for professional recognition: prepare for HLTA assessment and gain formal acknowledgment of your expertise.
- Enhanced skills: Learn to support learning at a higher pedagogical level.
- Improved outcomes: Contribute to better pupil engagement and achievement.
- Career progression: Preparing you for HLTA assessment.
To be eligible for this HLTA Preparation course you must:
- have the endorsement of your Headteacher who knows that you must have opportunities to take whole classes and that they and a teacher in the school will be interviewed by an Assessor about how you meet the HLTA standards in the normal course of your work
- be in employment as a Teaching Assistant
- have achieved a nationally recognised qualification at level 2 or above in English/literacy and mathematics/numeracy.
- Applicants without Level 2 English and Maths or who have taken an HLTA Entry Test and not passed will not be able to register for this course.
Apply now
- Use the buttons below to apply (Application form link) with the endorsement (Endorsement form) please complete these forms at the same time
- Edge Hill University assess the application
- You will receive an email with the outcome of your application if you’re successful.
- Once received, please use the button below to pay.