Classroom heroes celebrated by the University of Northampton

The valuable contribution Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA) make to classrooms across the East Midlands has been celebrated at an awards ceremony by the University of Northampton.

The annual HLTA awards celebrate the contribution of teaching assistants who have gained Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status through the University of Northampton. The HLTAs from across the East Midlands region were nominated by their schools, before a panel of education professionals and HLTA National Assessment Partnership (HNAP) board members whittled down the nominations to a short list of four:

Richard Dalton from St Andrew’s CEVA Primary School, Northampton

Carl Perry from Fulhurst Community College, Leicester

Joanna Randall from Campion School, Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire

Janet Stock from Spire Junior School Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

The nominees were celebrated for their contribution to advancing pupils’ learning, utilising their specialist knowledge to support pupils’ aspirations alongside their commitment to their own continued professional learning as well as their commitment to the wider school community.

The 2019 East Midlands HLTA of the Year was revealed as Carl Perry. Carl’s tireless support for the most vulnerable pupils at the school was celebrated, the panel were particularly impressed with the boys’ writing initiative he developed. Carl will now go on to represent the region at the National HLTA of the Year award in London in November.

Wendy Yarnall, HLTA Project Manager, East Midlands and Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Northampton, said: “These annual awards celebrate the exceptional contribution  HLTAs make – they are an essential part of the school community, ultimately improving the school experience for pupils and supporting them to achieve their goals.”