Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants (RQF)

• Access Duration: 12 Months
• Awarded by: Focus Awards
• Credit Value: 36
• Guided Learning Hours: 108
• Total Qualification Time: 360
• Qualification Level: 4
• Qualification Number: 601/8533/8
• Available: England & Northern Ireland 

• Understand what a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant is responsible for and how they influence the classroom. 
• Learn how children develop and how to support their well-being. 
• Get to know different special educational needs and how to help students with them. 
• Explore ways to encourage positive behaviour in children and young people. 
• Build skills to support individual students and small groups. 
• Develop the ability to plan lessons, deliver learning activities, and assess student progress. 

• Teaching Assistants  
• Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teaching Assistants  
• Learning Support Assistants   
• Behaviour Support Workers 

The Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants opens the door to exciting career opportunities within the education and training sector. This qualification equips you with the skills and knowledge to take on more responsibility in the classroom, working more independently to support teachers and students. With this certificate, you become eligible for Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) roles, which often come with increased pay and a wider range of duties.  

Here are some career prospects, along with the average UK salary per annum (approximately) according to Glassdoor. 

• Teacher - £41,000  
• Educational Support Specialist – £33,000  
• SEN Teacher – £ 31,000
• Learning Mentor – £29,000
• Higher Level Teaching Assistant – £25,000

• Learners should be 16 years and above. 
• Learners are required to be working within a school as a Teaching Assistant, for a minimum of 12 hours per week or 50 hours over the duration of the qualification. This can include voluntary or unpaid work. 
• Have a colleague who is willing to work in the capacity of an Expert Witness to complete the Observations and Expert Witness Testimonies.

• You can complete this course in just a few months or take up to a year; it’s flexible to suit your schedule. Most learners finish within 6 to 9 months, but if you have more time to study or relevant experience, you may complete it sooner. We offer full support for up to 12 months, so you can work at a pace that’s right for you.
• The Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA) requires 108 GLH. This is an estimate and will vary depending on how much time you’re able to commit and how quickly you understand the course content.

• Written Assignments: You will be assessed through written assignments which will be marked internally by your tutor. Your personal tutor will provide you with constructive feedback and guidance to help you improve and succeed.
• Portfolio of Evidence: You will compile a portfolio that showcases your practical skills and experience. This portfolio will serve as evidence of your competencies and learning outcomes associated with each unit. You will be internally assessed by a tutor at South London College.
• Direct Observations: A work placement of at least 50 hours is required to complete this qualification. This workplace must be in a school setting. This can either be a primary, secondary, or a special needs school, however, you need to ensure the pupils you work with are aged 5+ and are studying at Key Stage 1 or above.
• Witness Testimony: A colleague must give an expert witness statement confirming how you carried out the assessments. (Your Expert Witness must hold either a Specialist HLTA qualification at Level 4 or a Teaching Qualification at a minimum of Level 4).
• Assessor Support: You will have support from assessors available via telephone, WhatsApp, online discussion forums, email, and web chats, ensuring that you have access to help whenever you need it.

For further details or any specific questions about the assessment process, please click the ‘Enquire Now’ button below to get in touch with us.

Your Next Steps in Academic Progression

• Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Education and Training (RQF)
• Focus Awards Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (RQF)
• Focus Awards Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (RQF)

Ofqual-regulated qualifications are overseen by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England. Ofqual is England’s main government-appointed regulatory body regulating school, college, and vocational qualifications, and ensures their qualifications meet high standards of quality and rigour, providing assurance they are recognised and respected by employers, educational institutions, and professional bodies. This oversight guarantees the qualifications maintain consistency, transparency, and credibility, meaning potential employers and organisations will have confidence in the individual’s skills and abilities, making them competitive candidates.

OFSTED

The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills is an independent, non-ministerial government department responsible for inspecting a range of educational institutions, including state schools and some independent schools. It also inspects initial teacher training and regulates early years’ childcare facilities.

RQF

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is a system used in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales to categorise and regulate qualifications based on their level of difficulty and size. RQF is jointly regulated by England’s regulator Ofqual, Wales DCELLS, and Northern Ireland’s CCEA, and ensures qualifications are standardised, making it easier for learners, employers, and educational institutions to understand the value and level of each qualification. For a qualification to be recognised as part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), it must be created or approved by an awarding body that is acknowledged by one of the government-appointed regulatory bodies.