Knowledge and understanding

Those meeting the Higher-Level Teaching Assistant Standards must demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding to be able to help the pupils they work with make progress with their learning. This knowledge and understanding will relate to a specialist area which could be subject-based or linked to a specific role (e.g. in support of an age phase or pupils with particular needs). Those meeting the Higher Level Teaching Assistant Standards must demonstrate all of the following:

1- They have sufficient understanding of their specialist area to support pupils’ learning, and are able to acquire further knowledge to contribute effectively and with confidence to the classes in which they are involved.

2- They are familiar with the school curriculum, the age-related expectations of pupils, the main teaching methods and the testing/examination frameworks in the subjects and age ranges in which they are involved.

3- They understand the aims, content, teaching strategies and intended outcomes for the lessons in which they are involved, and understand the place of these in the related teaching program.

4- They know how to use ICT to advance pupils’ learning, and can use common ICT tools for their own and their pupils’ benefit.

5- They know the key factors that can affect the way pupils learn.

6- They have achieved a qualification in English/literacy and mathematics/ numeracy, equivalent to at least Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework.

7- They are aware of the statutory frameworks relevant to their role.

8- They know the legal definition of Special Educational Needs (SEN), and are familiar with the guidance about meeting SEN given in the SEN Code of Practice.

9- They know a range of strategies to establish a purposeful learning environment and to promote good behavior.