• 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
• National Availability: 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 will give you the opportunity to take your career in teaching to the next level. You will have the relevant skills and experience to excel as an HLTA and take on more responsibilities in the classroom. This qualification allows you to work more independently, supporting teachers and students. The role of HLTA often comes with higher pay and better benefits. Given below are some career prospects you can achieve with the annual salary range. (Source: UK Glassdoor) 

• Teacher - £41,000 (approximately) 
• Educational Support Specialist – £33,000 (approximately) 
• Learning Mentor – £29,000 (approximately) 
• Higher Level Teaching Assistant – £25,000 (approximately) 
• SEN Teacher – £4,000 (approximately) 

• Learners should be 16 years and above. 
• Learners are required to be on practical placement within a school as a teaching assistant. This is for a minimum of 12 hours per week or 50 hours for the duration of the course. This can include voluntary or unpaid work. 
• Have an expert witness complete the observation and provide expert witness testimony. 

• This course can be completed through two flexible study options to suit your lifestyle:
  • Standard Course Plan (8 months) – ideal for learners balancing other commitments.
  • Fast Track Option (4 months) – perfect for those who can dedicate intensive study time.
• Most learners complete within their chosen timeframe, though some may finish earlier depending on personal circumstances and available study time.
• We accommodate your pace with unlimited support for 12 months. This Level 4 Certificate requires approximately 108 guided learning hours.

T&C apply

• 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 must submit a portfolio to showcase your practical skills. This portfolio can be presented as evidence of your understanding of all learning outcomes associated with each unit. You will be internally assessed by a tutor at South London College. 
• Direct Observations: You are required to complete a work placement of up to 50 hours. The placement can be in a school setting, either primary, secondary, or a special needs school. It is ideal if the pupils in your practical placement 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.  
• Assessor Support: We provide complete assessor support. You can get in touch by telephone, WhatsApp, online discussion forums, email, and web chat. 

A possible next step of Academic Progression Pathway:  

• Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (RQF) 
• Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (RQF) 
• Foundation degree in Education 

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is a non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams, and assessments in England. Ofqual ensures that all qualifications offered by recognised awarding organisations meet national standards, so you can trust that any Ofqual-regulated certificate is high quality and widely recognised by employers and universities.

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 RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) is a system used in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales to compare different qualifications. It helps learners and employers understand the level and size of the course, beginning from the basic level to the advanced level.   

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