Hi everyone - just wondered if anyone out there has done/is doing this?

I have just had approval from my Head to apply - with the possibilty of some HLTA hours in my role on completion! A little surprised as in my area Secondary schools have not really gone down the HLTA route.
Would just be interested in anyone elses experiences as now kind of thinking what on earth have I put my hand up for this time!

No I'm Primary but I have heard about it.

I am awaiting assessment, and I do 18 out of 23 lessons in science. I reckon its good if you need to boost your science knowledge. I chose the generic route, because I have a good science background.

Is that whole class teaching

Not all no, I do some, but generally support. If I should get Science HLTA after assessment, then I would do yes.

Do you want to? Have you got a degree in Science because if you have why not go the whole hog and do teaching and be paid properly for it. I do two afternoons in the Primary School I wouldn't be allowed to do Science the co-ordinator wouldn't allow it.Which makes me laugh because a year 6 teacher has lower Science than me. I have an 'A' level equivalent.

I only have 'A' level biology, and 'O' level phys and Anayomy, physiology and hygiene amd FD in TA.

The lessons I do now are those which are supposed to be taught my a maternity cover teacher who is useless. How can yo teach the rock cycle module without doing the rock cycle?? or the Periodic Table without explaining what it is or what it shows??

I am too old now to be doing any advancing, so if HLTA in science comes up and I get it that fine, otherwis I'll stay as I am.

i have a science degree but wouldnt do the science HLTA route. i did the generic one. the only difference apparently is your tasks need to be science class based, so unless you do all science lessons, the way i see it is you are just limiting your options. i like to keep all options open. if you do the generic one, you can still do science lessons, but it gives you more scope to cover other areas in school in your tasks and evidence

Thanks for your replies
Wendy - I know what you mean about limiting options, but I plan to move onto teaching science in the hopefully not too distant future - so think this will stand me in good stead.

Jack - I will be finishing my OU Science degree next year (all going well!) . My degree will be in Physicis, but I have a very sound general science background as well. The school almost bit my hand off when I showed and interest in the HLTA - they have had real problems this year in covering science lessons. Funny, my friends back at the primary school I moved from last year, had a similar reaction as you when I said I would need to teach whole classes - they think I'm either very brave or plain daft!