3231 Higher level teaching assistants

In short

• ONS unit group 3231, in minor group 323 (Teaching and childcare associate professionals) and major group 3 (Associate professional occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 3a.
• Going rate as the table prints it:
  • Table 3a: a national pay scale, set out in the table below.

What the ONS says

Description

Higher level teaching assistants (HLTA’s) assist teachers with their day-to-day classroom work, the provision and planning of and the creation of lesson materials. HLTA’s teach classes on their own and may be trained in relevant learning strategies such as literacy. They may support students with special/additional needs and work in special and additional needs schools.

Typical entry routes

Entrants must achieve Higher level Teaching Assistant status. Academic qualifications may be required by some employers and significant relevant experience is usually necessary. NVQs at level 4 are available. A DBS check is mandatory.

Tasks

• assists with development of lesson plans and materials
• assists teacher with preparation or clearing up of classroom
• gives lessons to classes and individual students independently of the teacher
• assess, record and report on pupils' progress
• manages and supports other teaching assistants
• listens to children read, reads to them or tells stories
• assists children with washing or dressing for outdoor and similar activities
• makes simple teaching aids and constructs thematic displays of educational material or children’s work
• helps with outings and other out-of-classroom activities

Related job titles

• Advanced teaching assistant
• HLTA
• Learning support practitioner
• Teaching assistant (qualified)

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the table below, with the table’s own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 3a: Additional health and education SOC 2020 occupation codes where going rates are based on national pay scales, for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

3231 Higher level teaching assistants

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

6125, 6126

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Advanced teaching assistant
• HLTA
• Learning support practitioner
• Teaching assistant (qualified)

Going rate (annual)

General Assistants / Classroom Assistants: £23,656 (FTE £12.26 per hour) Classroom Assistant SEN: £25,147 p.a. (FTE £13.03 per hour)

Other unit groups in minor group 323

• 3232 Early education and childcare practitioners

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

All 412 occupation codes

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