Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) - Secondary Food Technology Specialist

Please click the below links for more information about becoming a HLTA

What is the role of a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)?

What do I have to do to gain HLTA status?

What do I do next?

Does the D&T Association offer training?

Can a HLTA replace a Food Technology Teacher?

Can a HLTA or HLTA candidate take practical food technology lessons on their own?

Can you help me I'm working with pupils with SEN?

Are there any useful publications you can recommended?

Further Information...

HLTA Newsletter Autumn 2009

What is the role of a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)?

A HLTA supports the classroom teacher to allow them to focus on the teaching and learning in a classroom. This means working with individuals, small groups of students or a whole class, under the guidance of the classroom teacher. It might require you to create resources, support food technology lessons or demonstrate practical food skills and techniques to students. HLTA’s who have the skills, expertise and experience could be asked to undertake specified work, such as planning and teaching full lessons under the supervision of a qualified teacher.

HLTA is a nationally recognised professional status. People who achieve HLTA status receive a letter from the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) - on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE) - which acts as proof of their HLTA status for current and future employers. By taking the HLTA course they have formal status for working in a food classroom. During the course they will have gained the knowledge skills and understanding to effectively support the teacher and students in the classroom.

What do I have to do to gain HLTA status?

There are two elements to the course, HLTA generic training undertaken by all HLTAs and the food specialist modules. The food technology specialist element comprises of modules which provide specialist food technology based knowledge, understanding and practical skills You also gain an understanding of appropriate teaching and learning.

What do I do next?

The TDA funded programme 2008-10 has now ended, but you may still be able to get support from your LA to become an HLTA. If you wish to become a HLTA in Food Technology, you need to talk to your head, who must support your application. Funding to you to take the HLTA Food Technology course may be available from your local authority, or your school may fund you directly to complete the training. The local authority or the regional provider for assessment (RPA) will be able to direct you to a suitable course.

To find out who your Regional Provider for Assessment (RPA) is go to http://www.tda.gov.uk/hlta_contacts and click on your government region area and your named contact will appear.

Does the D&T Association offer training?

Yes, the D&T Association is offering training through local authorities. It is a national quality assured model, but will be tailored to local circumstances and through negotiation with local authorities will offer:

Auditing of training needs and planning a personalised programme.
Face-to0face practical food preparation and cooking skills.

In addition, unique features of our programme include:

Guided learning supported by a personal food technology mentor, using multi-media resources, on-line tutorials and self assessment to develop knowledge and understanding of food technology, including practical skills; classroom health and safety; diet and nutrition; consumer awareness and hygiene and food safety.
Classroom practice with an experienced food technology teacher-mentor in a school.
Health and safety accreditation to D&T Association Health and Safety standards, and food hygiene certification.
On-going support provided by HLTA category membership of the professional association for food technology teachers for one year.

Specialist food technology training courses can be available throughout the year, including options for serial ( a series of sessions over a number of weeks), and block training (summer school).

For more information about our training click here or to discuss our training please contact Paul Drury 01789 473 912 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Can a HLTA replace a Food Technology Teacher?

No, in all their teaching and learning activities, HLTAs should work under the direction and supervision of teachers, as set out in the Education (Specified Work and Registration) (England) Regulations 2003 and accompanying guidance.

Can a HLTA or HLTA candidate take practical food technology lessons on their own?

Standard 31 requires HLTA candidates to demonstrate that they can advance the learning of a whole class without the presence of an assigned teacher.

This standard could be met through food technology theory lessons in a non-specialist food technology teaching room. Headteachers are responsible for deploying staff and allocating resources in the school. In food technology lessons and activities particular attention is required when considering the learning environment that an HLTA candidate will be working in. For example, food technology classrooms use a wide range of specialist equipment which requires candidates to be very knowledgeable about potential dangers and how to ensure it is used safely by both adults and pupils. There is more guidance on the legislative framework for HLTA candidates working with whole classes, and the requirements for HLTA assessment, in the HLTA Candidate Handbook on pages 90-91.

The importance of health and safety in food technology cannot be overstated.

All practitioners working in specialist food technology rooms and with food should be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient understanding of health and safety issues to keep pupils safe. It is strongly recommended that headteachers ensure that HLTA candidates with a food technology area of expertise have achieved a level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene certificate in the last three years.

Local authorities may be able to support candidates in gaining this award.

All support staff working in schools must take health and safety seriously, but this is even more important for those working in food technology departments. Their everyday work is more likely to place them in direct contact with hazards and risks, both to:

their own health and safety, and
the health and safety of the pupils they work with.

For any practical food technology activity, HLTAs must carry out risk assessments and actively manage any risks throughout the progress of the learning activities. This should be done in conjunction with the supervising teacher, who takes overall responsibility for determining the appropriateness of the food technology activity.

Can you help me I'm working with pupils with SEN?

You will find some useful resources in the special needs section of this website.

http://www.data.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=137&Itemid=205

Are there any useful publications you can recommend?

The Design and Technology Association has produced A Guide for Adults who support Teaching and Learning in Secondary Food Technology. This is a new 24-page guide for HLTAs, TAs, LSAs, technicians and non-food specialist teachers. Its sections cover all the key areas of the secondary HLTA course and are cross-referenced to the relevant TDA standards.

For details click here. To order online visit the online shop.

For further information

‘Legal duties and responsibilities of headteachers when deploying food technology teachers or HLTAs in a food technology environment’ click here

A Guide for Adults who support Teaching and Learning in Secondary Food Technology

This guide from the D&T Association contains essential information for your secondary HLTA course, including:

Working in schools
Current Developments in Food Technology
Health and Safety
Supporting Teaching and Learning
Planning activities
Demonstration skills and knowledge
Developing resources
Supervising in a group or class setting
Communication with pupils
Useful websites and Glossary

For those who are aspiring to be Higher Level Teaching Assistants, each section is cross referenced to the relevant TDA standards.
£10.00 members/£14.00 non-members, prices include postage and packing. Available from the online shop.

Useful links

For detailed information on the HLTA standards and the subject knowledge guidance for HLTA Secondary Food Technology go to: www.tda.gov.uk/hlta

Click here for the Guidance document ‘HLTA Secondary food technology Subject knowledge guidance for HLTA s’

The HLTA Candidate Handbook is available from http://www.tda.gov.uk/hltaresources

HLTA Newsletter Autumn 2009