HLTA Frequently Asked Questions

My literacy and numeracy qualifications

Do I have to have the certificates for literacy/numeracy before starting preparation?

Yes. You will need to show your preparer/tutor your certificates before you can register. This has to happen by Day 2 of your preparation, so you need to have the certificates beforehand.

Is a letter from my school enough to demonstrate I have the qualifications?

No. You need either your original certificate or a letter of results from the exam board. This is the only proof of qualifications that is permissible.

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Writing my tasks

TDA guidelines state that individuals can only be accepted onto the HLTA programme if they work with children from age 3 in a statutory school setting, follow the National Curriculum or Foundation Stage and work under the guidance of a qualified teacher. They recommend that other specialist early years qualifications may be more appropriate for candidates working with under threes or in a non-statutory setting.

How much should I write in the context section of Tasks 1, 2 and 3?

Just a few lines - you are literally setting the context of the pupils and lessons. Thereis no space here to record standards it is better to put more detail in the later sections. Make sure you include the age and profile of the pupils in this section.

Should I write about one specific example for each task?

Yes. Although you may be tempted to list a number of things you have done, your tasks should tell the assessor about one session (Tasks 1‐3) or one situation/event for the five Task 4s. This is because if you write about one example you can be really specific about your actions and the outcomes from them.
You can make some reference to previous work you have done with learners, for example in the planning sections of tasks 1‐3 and in the analysis section of Task 4.

How specific do I need to be?

You need to be very specific about what you have done for each standard. It is not enough for standard 9 for example to state "I took account of diversity" without describing a really specific instance of a time when you took action to do so.

How many times should I claim a standard across all my tasks?

There is no definite answer to this as some standards require more examples than others. For example, for standard 24 you need to show you have used a range of assessment techniques, which means you will probably need to use more than one task to do so. But, if you claim a standard it needs to be strongly referenced - i.e. you need to have given enough detail about what you did that meets the standard. It is not a good idea to have two or three standards for each line of your text.

How do I decide when to claim a standard?

The test is: is there sufficient information here to convince the assessor that I have demonstrated this standard? Don't be tempted to cite the standard every time there is only slight reference to it in your text.

How many times should I claim a standard across all my tasks?

There is no definite answer to this as some standards require more examples than others. For example, for
standard 24 you need to show you have used a range of assessment techniques, which means you will probably need to use more than one task to do so. But, if you claim a standard it needs to be strongly referenced - i.e. you need to have given enough detail about what you did that meets the standard.
It is not a good idea to have two or three standards for each line of your text.

Is there a word limit for tasks 1-3?

There is no set word limit or page number limit. You should write enough to make it clear what you did and
why. Most candidates find that 3‐5 pages of font 10‐12 text for each of the 3 tasks is about right.

Should I reduce the size of the font to fit on fewer pages?

No. The text needs to be readable by the assessor.

Is there a word limit for Task 4?

Yes. 350-500 words per event/situation.

Can I email/show my preparer my tasks for their opinion before assessment?

Day 3 of preparation is when you will be able to review your tasks with colleagues within the group. The preparer can give you general formative feedback but there are strict rules that mean preparers cannot give you detailed individual feedback on all your tasks. Preparers are not allowed to give feedback after Day 3.

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F9 Grid and Supporting documents

Should I have a document for each standard?

You should aim to have supporting documents for every standard. If there are a small number of standards where you can't manage this that will be fine - but try to keep this to fewer than 6 standards. Remember not to have more than two documents for any standard.

Do I need to have an entry on my F9 against each standard to show which tasks demonstrate
which standards?

Yes. You should include all documents you have against each of the standards that they demonstrate.

So, do I need a different document for each standard?

No. You can use one document to demonstrate your achievement of more than one standard - for example, your planning for a session could show:

• Standard 17 (your contribution to planning)
• Standard 18 (how you planned what you will do yourself)
• Standard 21 (what resources you planned and prepared and why they are appropriate)
• Standard 13 (your knowledge of the curriculum)
• Standard 14 (your knowledge of suitable objectives and activities to implement the curriculum)
• Standard 10 (how you are using your area(s) of expertise to support children and young people)

Do I have to have an additional document for every standard?

No. If you have an additional document then include it, but you do not need to have two documents for every standard.

Are my task response sheets suitable as supporting documents?

No. Tasks are not classed as documents. The supporting documents are additional to your task response sheets, i.e. they support what you have written in the tasks.

Is there a particular way I should organise my documents?

No. You can choose. Some candidates organise their documents in standards order, others put all the documents for each task together. Either way is fine. Whichever way you organise the documents, itis a good idea to

1. label them with the standards you are demonstrating
2. highlight the parts of the document you want the assessor to note
3. add notes about why you have included the document, e.g. "I used the positive reinforcement part of the behaviour policy when I was rewarding the group in Task 2".

Is there a limit on the number of documents I can include?

There is no numeric limit, but your documents should fit into one small A4 file. It is not a good idea to produce numerous documents as the assessor has only one hour, at the most, to evaluate them. It is a better plan to make sure all the documents you include strongly demonstrate your achievement of the standards.

Can I produce more documents once I have sent my tasks and grid?

No. The assessor will work from what you have listed on the grid. They will not give you any feedback on the
number or quality of your documents.

Am I allowed to include witness statements?

The TDA guidance lists witness statements as one possible source of supporting evidence. However, you should not routinely ask colleagues to write witness statements for you, especially if the assessor will be meeting them during the school visit.

Witness statements should only be used when they relate to specific examples of where you met a particular
standard or standards. They must be signed and dated. If a teacher has left the school/is not available to talk to the assessor, it is permissible to include a specific statement from them.

Can I include observation records or performance management review notes?

Yes. If you have records of a teacher's observation of your work or your performance review. These are not witness statements so remember to describe them as observation records or performance review records.

Can I show the assessor other files I have put together?

No. The assessor will only scrutinise your HLTA supporting documents as listed on your grid.

Will the assessor take away any of my documents?

No. The documents will remain in school. The assessor uses their study time to read and evaluate how far the
documents you have provided confirm you have met the standards.

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The school visit

Will the assessor have knowledge and experience of education?

Yes. All assessors are required to have strong knowledge, understanding and experience of work in schools.

When will I have to email my tasks and grid to the assessor?

Ten calendar days before your school visit. Your assessor will agree a date with you. They should not ask you to send them any earlier, but if you wish to send them earlier, you may do so.

Will the assessor only ask questions about those standards they do not feel are met?

No. There will be questions on many standards. The assessor's role is to confirm all standards are met through
scrutiny of your documents and/or meetings.

Is there a set number of questions asked?

No. The number of questions asked will vary depending on the length of responses given by yourself and your colleagues. You should not worry about the number of questions asked, it is no indication of how well you have done.

Do I have to show my assessor a copy of my certificates?

No, your certificates have been shown to your preparer and copies sent to the Regional Provider of Assessment, so there is no further need to demonstrate you have met standard 11 at the assessment stage.

How long will my first meeting with the assessor be?

Between 20 and 40 minutes. The assessor will make the decision within this time scale. The length of the meeting is no indication of how well you have done.

Will the assessor always use the full 30 minutes for the second meeting with me?

Yes. This is a strict rule of HLTA assessment so that all candidates have equal opportunity.

Can the assessor see two of my teachers?

Yes. Tell the assessor who you want them to see at the time of setting up the visit. Each teacher should be seen separately. The assessor can see one teacher for a short time and another for longer or both for 15 minutes - as long as the total time is 30 minutes.

Is it always the head teacher that the assessor sees?

No. The headteacher may decide that another senior colleague would be better placed to talk to the assessor.

Should I prepare my teacher/head teacher in any way?

Yes, that is a good idea. You would be advised to show them your tasks and file and the HLTA standards and tell them that they will be asked to give specific examples about your work when talking to the assessor. This can be quite difficult. They know your work so well that they may say "s/he always does". So remind them that the assessor will need really specific examples of what you have done, not what you 'would do' or 'always do'.

There are two of us in my school, will we both be assessed on the same day?

There is no set rule on this. Sometimes yes, but it may be that this is not possible because of the assessor's or your availability.

What happens after the visit has finished?

Moderation of assessments is at the end of each month (except August and December). Candidates who were assessed by the second week of a month are normally included in the end of month moderation round.

Results letters are issued by the TDA at national level and they are sent to the Regional Provider of Assessment, usually in the second week of the month following moderation. Results go to home addresses, usually 7-9 weeks after the assessment, although longer over the summer and Christmas. It may be that some of your group hear before others because of the dates of their assessment and the timetable for moderation of files.