Case Study
HLTAs in a Secondary School
Sarah, Assistant Head Teacher
Sarah is responsible for overseeing the alternative curriculum 'pathways' programme which is provided for students who have special needs. The programme runs from Year 7 to Year 11. HLTAs staff most of the programme, with the support of specific linked teachers and play a major role in the success of this programme. Each of the HLTAs involved is linked to at least one specific department.
Sarah feels that the benefits of deploying HLTAs in roles like this include their ability to develop an affinity with the students they are teaching which in turn promotes better learning. She feels that the delivery of the alternative programme would not be possible without the HLTAs who take a leading role. She believes that the fact that the HLTAs involved have specific subject specialisms and clear links to departments makes their role particularly valuable and effective.
Sarah also comments that without specialist HLTAs it would not be possible to staff small groups or to allow children to be effectively withdrawn in small groups from lessons. Many children feel more secure in these smaller groups and they therefore promote better learning and greater progress.
Having HLTAs deliver lessons to classes within their areas of specialism has also made it possible to provide more curriculum options and produce a 'curriculum that suits the child'. It has also benefited the HLTAs in as much as they feel more part of a curriculum area and have more of an identity.
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