Level 5 HLTA apprenticeships
The Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship helps experienced teaching assistants step up to a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) role, while schools grow their own senior support staff.
The Apprenticeship Academy
Get a trained Level 5 specialist teaching assistant apprentice in your school, without the admin
Our apprenticeship academy partner employs the apprentice directly and places them in your school for the full academic year (typically 39 weeks). You gain a dedicated member of support staff; they handle the employment, compliance and paperwork. Schools anywhere in England can ask.
Invest in your staff
Turn recruitment into long-term value: an apprentice who trains in your school and grows with it.
Levy-funded training
Training is funded through the Apprenticeship Levy and paid directly to the approved training provider.
Quality, school-ready staff
Structured training builds the confidence, engagement and skills of support staff in role.
No extra workload
Our partner employs and manages the apprentice, so there's no added admin for your team.
Specialist Teaching Assistant (HLTA route) apprenticeship (Level 5)
The Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship for experienced TAs ready for a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) role.
- Level
- Level 5
- Length
- Typically 15–18 months
What the apprentice learns
- Planning and leading learning for groups and whole classes
- A specialism such as SEND, wellbeing or a curriculum area
- Assessment and tracking pupil progress
- Leading interventions
- Supporting and guiding other support staff
Who it suits: Teaching assistants who already work in a school and want to step up to an HLTA-style role with more responsibility.
Classroom ready before day one
Every apprentice first completes a two-day preparation programme: safeguarding, professional conduct and expectations, practical classroom support, and Team Teach Level 1 positive behaviour training. Your school's own policies and induction can be added on site.
All academy courses
- Early Years EducatorLevel 3
- Teaching AssistantLevel 3 · 12–15 months
- Teaching Assistant with SENDLevel 3 · 12–15 months
- Specialist Teaching Assistant (HLTA route)Level 5 · 15–18 months
How it works for schools
- 1
Request a call back
Tell us about your school and the support you need.
- 2
We find your apprentice
We match you with a candidate for the course that fits the role.
- 3
Ready for your classroom
The apprentice completes the two-day preparation programme before starting.
- 4
Training while they work
Our partner employs them, provides pastoral support and works with an Ofsted-inspected, government-approved training provider.
The training follows national apprenticeship standards and current funding guidance. The result is a pipeline of trained, school-ready support staff who give lasting value to your setting.
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Live Level 5 apprenticeships
1 live apprenticeship
Apprenticeshipvia Find an apprenticeship (GOV.UK)
Apprentice Higher Level Teaching Assistant
THE MAST ACADEMY TRUST · Huddersfield, HD8
- Wage:
- £13,520 a year
- Course:
- Specialist teaching assistant (level 5)
- Closes:
- 3 Dec 2026
- Starts:
- 4 Jan 2027
- Hours:
- 32.5 a week
- Duration:
- 1 Year 6 Months
Apply on GOV.UKMore about this apprenticeship
<p>Begin your career in education with this Level 5 HLTA apprenticeship, supporting teaching and leading learning across a school environment. Gain experience delivering lessons, supporting pupils, and developing advanced classroom skills. A great opportunity to progress your career with strong support and development opportunities.</p>
Working week: Monday - Friday, Term-time only. Shifts to be confirmed.
Training provider: BEST PRACTICE NETWORK LIMITED
Skills: Communication skills, IT skills, Attention to detail, Organisation skills, Customer care skills, Presentation skills, Administrative skills, Number skills, Team working, Creative, Initiative, Non judgemental, Patience
Positions: 1
What is a higher level teaching assistant?
A higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) works at a more senior level than a teaching assistant. HLTAs plan and lead learning for groups and sometimes whole classes, run interventions, cover planned teacher absence and often guide other support staff.
The Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship builds these skills, with a specialism such as SEND, social and emotional wellbeing, or a curriculum area. HLTA status itself is assessed separately, and each training provider explains how the course links to it.
Why schools use the Level 5 route
Growing your own HLTAs keeps experienced staff in your school and gives you dependable cover and intervention leadership. The apprenticeship typically takes 15 to 18 months of workplace learning, specialist training and assessment.
Through the Apprenticeship Academy, our partner employs and manages the apprentice and works with an Ofsted-inspected, government-approved training provider, so there's no extra admin for your team.
Who the Level 5 apprenticeship suits
It is for teaching assistants who already work in a school, usually with a Level 3 qualification or solid classroom experience, and who want more responsibility and a clear next step. You keep earning while you train.
Where it can lead
Many people use the Level 5 route to move into HLTA, cover supervisor, intervention lead or SEND specialist roles. It can also be a step towards teacher training.
Levels
- Level 2 – equivalent to GCSEs (e.g. early years practitioner)
- Level 3 – equivalent to A levels (e.g. teaching assistant, early years educator)
- Level 5–6 – higher and degree level (e.g. postgraduate teacher apprenticeship)
Pay from April 2026
At least £8.00 an hour if you're under 19 or in your first year. After that, the minimum wage for your age (£10.85 at 18 to 20, £12.71 at 21 and over).
How to apply
- Pick an apprenticeship below
- Choose Apply on GOV.UK
- The employer and training provider contact you
How apprenticeships work
You work for the employer, get paid a wage, and spend part of your time training with a provider towards a recognised qualification. You apply on GOV.UK, and the employer and training provider handle the rest.
Questions about education apprenticeships
What is the Level 5 HLTA apprenticeship?
It is the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship, the higher-level route for experienced teaching assistants. It typically takes 15 to 18 months and many TAs use it to move into a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) role.
Who can do the Level 5 apprenticeship?
It is designed for teaching assistants who already work in a school and want more responsibility, such as leading groups, interventions or covering classes.
Does it give me HLTA status?
HLTA status is assessed separately. The apprenticeship builds the skills and evidence HLTA roles ask for, and each training provider explains how it links to HLTA assessment.
Can my school get an apprentice through SchoolJobs?
Yes. Request a call back and we'll talk through the role you need. Our apprenticeship academy partner then finds, prepares and places an apprentice in your school. Schools anywhere in England can ask.
Who employs the apprentice?
Our academy partner employs the apprentice and places them in your school for the full academic year (typically 39 weeks). They handle payroll, compliance, admin and pastoral support, and work with the training provider, so your team has no extra paperwork.
How is the training paid for?
Training is funded through the Apprenticeship Levy. The funding is paid directly to a government-approved, Ofsted-inspected training provider. We'll explain what it means for your school on the call.
Are apprentices ready for the classroom on day one?
Before starting, every apprentice completes a two-day preparation programme covering safeguarding, professional conduct, practical classroom support and Team Teach Level 1 positive behaviour training. Your school's own induction can be added.
Who can apply for an apprenticeship?
Anyone aged 16 or over in England who is not in full-time education. There is no upper age limit.
How much are apprentices paid?
From 1 April 2026 the apprentice minimum is £8.00 an hour if you are under 19 or in your first year; after that you get the National Minimum Wage for your age (£10.85 at 18 to 20, £12.71 at 21 and over). Many schools and nurseries pay more, and each advert shows its wage exactly as the employer gave it.
Do I need GCSEs to start?
Not always. Many apprenticeships accept people without GCSE English and maths and help you achieve them during the apprenticeship. Each advert lists what the employer asks for.
How long does an apprenticeship last?
At least 8 months, and most school and nursery apprenticeships take 12 to 24 months. Each advert shows its expected duration.
Can I become a teacher through an apprenticeship?
Yes. A teaching assistant or early years apprenticeship is a common first step, and graduates can train through the postgraduate teacher apprenticeship.
What qualification will I get?
Each advert names its course, for example Early years educator (level 3) or Teaching assistant (level 3), which are recognised qualifications.
How do I apply?
Choose Apply on GOV.UK. Applications go through the government's Find an apprenticeship service, not through SchoolJobs.
Where do these adverts come from?
From Find an apprenticeship (GOV.UK), refreshed daily. Adverts that close or are removed there are taken off SchoolJobs.
Related
Apprenticeship adverts from Find an apprenticeship (GOV.UK), Department for Education. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Last checked 11 Nov 2026.