HLTA supporting statement: evidence for a school vacancy

An HLTA supporting statement for a school job should show how your experience meets that vacancy's person specification, including class cover and learning support where requested. This guide concerns employment applications. Keep an HLTA status-assessment submission or headteacher endorsement separate, and follow the instructions for the submission you are making.

Start with the school's employment pack

Stamford Green Primary School and Nursery's HLTA application pack provides a named example. The cover says 2025 - 2026, and the application information gives a September 2026 start and a closing date of 9 June 2026. This historical pack was checked on 9 November 2026; use the current vacancy's instructions for your application.

Its job description combines class cover under the Headteacher's overall direction with targeted support for individual pupils and small groups. It also asks the HLTA to deliver planned learning directed by the class teacher, contribute to planning and assessment, and provide feedback. Choose evidence that shows how you handled those responsibilities in your own setting.

The teaching assistant guide covers the broader school application. For an HLTA vacancy, make the scale of each example clear: an individual pupil, a group or a whole class. If you have evidence concerning additional needs, the SEN teaching assistant guide can help you describe the support without identifying a child.

Check qualification wording before drafting

Stamford Green lists GCSE English and maths at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent, as essential. Its essential HLTA line reads "HLTA qualification or commitment to achieving it". It also marks experience within the primary age range and behaviour management in line with school policies as essential.

Copy the wording from your own vacancy into your planning notes. State the exact qualification you hold, or explain your position where the employer accepts a commitment to gaining it. Do not describe an intention to train as a completed qualification. Check whether the application form has a separate qualifications section before repeating that information in the statement.

Show the responsibility behind each example

These rows paraphrase duties from Stamford Green's job description. Use the evidence column to gather details from work you have done yourself.

Duty in this pack	Responsibility to explain	Evidence to gather
Class cover under the Headteacher's direction	The class you covered and the instructions you worked from	How you organised learning and reported back
Deliver learning directed by the teacher	What was already planned and what you delivered	Your explanation, resources and response to pupils
Contribute to planning and assessment	Your part in observing, marking or giving feedback	What you noticed and how you shared it
Prepare and adapt resources	The learning need you responded to	What you changed and what pupils could then do
Share information and expertise with colleagues	Your contribution to the staff team	A useful handover, shared approach or resource

A claim that you can work independently needs context. Describe the decisions you could make yourself and when you checked with the teacher. Where your example concerns a pupil's progress, explain what you observed and how it informed feedback or planning. Avoid taking sole credit for work involving several staff members.

The shape of one answer

Use this structure for a real example. The prompts help you collect evidence before writing the paragraph.

Criterion: "Ability to manage behaviour positively and consistently in line with school policies."

• When and where: name the setting, your role and whether you supported a pupil, group or class.
• What you did: explain the school procedure you followed, how you communicated expectations and any colleague you involved.
• What happened: describe the response you observed and any feedback you gave the teacher.

Add enough detail for the shortlister to understand your contribution. Keep children's names and private family information out. Stamford Green's duties include following safeguarding procedures and maintaining confidentiality, so use an example that demonstrates those boundaries as well as the classroom action.

Fit the statement to the application

The Stamford Green pack requires its application form and asks for a supporting statement on "no more than 2 sides of A4 paper at no less than font size 11". It asks why you want to work there, what relevant experience you have and how you can contribute to its vision and motto, with specific examples. It also describes an interview and teaching task, so keep examples you can discuss and explain afterwards.

Careers Wales advises following the form's instructions and using relevant examples. Check your current school's length limit, every essential line and any desirable criteria you can evidence. You can check your draft against the person specification before sending it.