Needs Analysis

What is it and who is it for?

Best Practice Network has developed a needs analysis tool to enable teaching assistants to review their professional practice and identify their strengths, interests and development needs in order to establish appropriate activities to achieve HLTA status. The clear and easy-to-use booklet is based around 8 key themes, all of which represent integral parts of teaching assistants’ daily work. The themes, which reflect the HLTA standards, are:

Literacy and numeracy
Planning and preparation of lessons
Supporting pupils to access learning opportunities
Communicating with pupils, colleagues and parents/carers
Your knowledge of specialisms, strategies and policies
Working with pupils in different contexts
Assessment and monitoring pupils’ progress
Improving your professional practice

TAs can identify immediately which areas may need further work. By reviewing these strengths and areas for development, school leaders and local authorities can make informed decisions about how to help staff move forward in their development and achieve HLTA status.Feedback confirms that the tool is user-friendly, coherent and fit for purpose.

“It provides clear pointers and advice for TAs helps them to reflect on their own practice” — School Mentor

What are the benefits?

Teaching Assistants can follow one of several training or preparation pathways to gain HLTA status, so it is important that local authorities are confident that the most efficient and cost-effective route is being taken. This tool allows the TA and their mentor to address current responsibilities and practice and to compare them directly with the standards for HLTA status. On completion, a profile of strengths and needs will inform the decision making process with regard to the most appropriate route for the candidate.

“Clearly worded and makes it easier for me to recognise where I meet the standards” — Teaching Assistant

Developing skills

The tool also offers guidance on how teaching assistants can go about improving their skills in any of the 8 areas, including generating opportunities to experience new aspects of teaching and training in specific areas of practice.

The needs analysis booklet is priced at £6.00 per copy for orders up to 50, £5.50 for orders between 50 and 100 or £5.00 for orders of 100+.

Download our order form or for more information email: gillianpennack@bestpracticenet.co.uk

HLTA Case Study

With a new head teacher and leadership team we have been able to remodel our workforce at all levels resulting in improved standards across the school.

Since gaining HLTA status, I have been given much greater responsibility in a number of areas. I have management responsibilities for other teaching assistants, for implementing school improvement plans and planning extra-curricular activities. I plan, teach and assess children in class and have a large key stage responsibility - I have my own PPA time.

In particular, I have a joint Every Child Matters - Positive Contribution responsibility, whereby, amongst other tasks, I undertake annual reviews, participate in Individual Education Plan meetings and manage other TAs. I am also jointly responsible for the Parent Partnership across the whole school. I set up parent meetings and facilitate communication between professionals.

HLTAs can work in so many diverse ways, drawing on their specialisms, skills and experiences to contribute to the development of the school and enhance learning across the board. They can be an untapped wealth of talent and by employing a more distributed leadership model we have promoted an ethos of support for all staff and improved standards throughout. I have gained a great sense of achievement from working as an HLTA and feel my skills are being used in a way that provides me with job satisfaction and benefits staff and pupils alike.

Sally Beech
Green Park School, Wolverhampton
Approx 100 pupils