Alice Yilmaz

What motivated you to pursue Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status?

Throughout my life I have always been driven to better myself. I have seen first-hand how the quality, alongside the passion, has a positive effect on a child’s education. Pursuing a HLTA status meant I can transition from my supportive role to a more substantial influence, shaping the learning environment and delivering the curriculum through whole class teaching. Gaining a HLTA status means much more to me than the title, it allows me to provide learning opportunities the children deserve for optimal learning in a safe environment.

What did you find most valuable about the course?

The course bridged the gap between me supporting and leading. The 33 standards were most valuable to me as they forced me to reflect on all areas of my practice with a much clearer understanding. The standards changed my focus on solely completing tasks to adapting my whole class teaching and interventions in a more purposeful way.

How has completing the HLTA Preparation Course changed your practice in school so far?

Since completing my HLTA course I have transitioned from not just supporting the class teacher but to leading children’s education. I have gained the confidence to be able to adapt my modelling and questioning to suit a range of year groups as opposed to just keeping the children on task, following a plan. By delivering whole class teaching for subjects like PSHE, Maths and computing, I now take the lead role in ensuring my sessions are meeting the National curriculum with a meaningful positive impact on the children’s learning journey.

What impact do you feel HLTA status will have on your role or responsibilities, colleagues and whole school priorities?

Since the completion of my HLTA journey I now have full responsibility delivering PSHE, maths and computing across multiple year groups. I am not just covering these subjects but taking on a role of planning and teaching these subjects with the requirements to meet targets. I actively identify and select pupils that require a more targeted intervention, whether that may be a catch up, pre teach or more individualised further support. By collecting the data within the lesson and liaising with the class teacher, we can identify gaps in knowledge quicker with a more responsive result. My colleagues can trust that high standards of teaching, behaviour, learning, and safeguarding are maintained, which in turn reduces the pressure on their workload.

How has the course influenced your confidence in leading learning or supporting pupils?

Prior to the course I would have stuck to the teacher’s lesson plan, whereas now I have the confidence to effectively adapt the plan to suit the children. I am confident in using a more scaffolding approach to suit the learner’s style whilst checking for understanding. I can re model tasks to bridge gaps in knowledge that are acquired throughout lessons. I will use my initiative to support children that I feel necessary and relay this back to the class teacher with my recommendations from what I have observed. I have gained confidence in myself knowing that the quality of teaching does not drop for the children’s education when I am playing the leading role, and I feel like I can offer my professional opinions now to my colleagues.

What new opportunities or responsibilities are you hoping to take on as a HLTA?

I am hoping to maintain and expand on my leadership roles to the highest of standards. I am focused on fully integrating all 33 HLTA standards into my daily practice as I deliver lessons and support other TAs, sharing my knowledge.

What advice would you give future candidates considering the HLTA route?

My advice would be to have confidence in yourself. HLTA is a leadership role, trust your professional voice. Do not be afraid of offering your opinions and advice to the class teachers. You lead interventions and closely work with children as individuals, so nobody knows the children more than you do, your voice is vital in the children’s progression.

In one sentence, how would you describe your HLTA journey?

My HLTA journey was informative and has made me reflect on areas of my practice which I previously took for granted.