Have you spent a couple of years working as a teaching assistant and ready to take on more responsibility. Well, there are two common next steps, either cover supervisor or a HLTA (higher level teaching assistant. Worth noting that cover supervisor jobs in Sussex as well as HLTA roles can look like the same advert. However, the day-to-day work is quite different. This guide breaks down the differences so you can decide which one suits you best.
Cover Supervisor – If a teacher is absent, you are in charge of supervising the class and ensuring that they are carrying out the work that the teacher has already set. No need to plan lessons or mark work. Your main role is to keep the classroom calm, keep pupils working and feed back.
HLTA – Your role would be to plan and lead the learning, usually in intervention groups but can teach whole classes under the direction of a teacher. This is the most senior support role in most schools.
These differ from a classroom assistant as their role is to support learning whilst a teacher leads it, will usually work with individual pupils or small groups. Most classroom assistant jobs in West Sussex and everywhere else is the first step to one of the roles above.
A cover supervisor is ideal for the TA’s that enjoy going to different classrooms each day. Important to note that you need to be confident when it comes to behavioural management as you will need to have the ability to settle a room that you may never have met before. Plus side is, you don’t have to take your work home with you so once that bell rings, you’re finished for the day!
HLTA is the next step up and is perfect if you’re a TA wanting to lead learning, tracking pupil progress and seeing pupils move forward over a term.
Both of these roles are suited to graduates or those looking for a career change who want to try out the classroom before starting their teacher training. Just doing a term as a cover supervisor will show you whether teaching is right for you or not.
As you would expect, both roles are paid more than the standard TA role, with HLTAs usually being paid more than cover supervisors. Simply because it requires more involvement and responsibility. Permanent support staff contracts in Sussex schools are usually term-time only but you pay will be calculated pro rata. So always best to check what the annual figure actually it when comparing adverts.
If you are doing it through an agency you will usually be paid a daily rate. Daily bookings often suit those that want more flexibility with long-term bookings provide a steadier routine. This is usually to cover a teacher that is either on maternity leave or the school have yet to fill the post. In both cases, you will most likely be working alongside supply teachers covering the classes for that day so it is important to build good relationships with them to make the day run smoothly.
HLTA status over experience. This is because it is a formal assessment against the national standards and arranged through your school. Some schools will require it for HLTA positions whilst others will accept relevant experience and help support you through the assessment once you have started. Cover supervisors rarely require a specific qualification as schools often just look for classroom experience and confident behavioural management.
The essentials for every role
Pink Tile Education places support staff in jobs in schools across Sussex and the South East. Here’s how it works:
