Entry requirements
• First class or upper second class honours degree in a relevant discipline (applications from students who do not hold a 1st or 2:1 Honours Degree (or equivalent), but have appropriate professional experience may be considered).
• Qualified Teacher status (QTS) or Qualified Teacher Learning Skills (QTLS).
• Applicants without Qualified Teacher status (QTS) or Qualified Teacher Learning Skills (QTLS) are able to apply if they are able to demonstrate experience supporting learners of a school age (18 years or under).
• We will also consider applications from professionals in related fields, such as speech therapists, educational psychologists and occupational therapists.
Months of entry
January
Course content
This Postgraduate Certificate aims to support teachers and professionals working in education to gain the confidence, knowledge and skills to identify, assess, plan, teach and support students with Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia).
Through critical reflection, participants on the programme will develop their understanding of the barriers to participation and learning that pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) can encounter.
• Develop the specialist knowledge, skills and confidence to be a specialist teacher and/or assessor for dyslexia.
• Be part of a specialist programme for professionals.
• Investigate research and literature relevant to SpLD dyslexia and relate this to specialist teaching and assessment.
• The two modules that make up the award each carry 30 Masters level credits, which can be used towards a Masters programme.
• Successful completion of the course will enable students to apply to the British Dyslexia Association for Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) and for an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC). Professionals with AMBDA / APC are able to be Exam Access Arrangements Assessors.
Course Overview
Module 1: Identification, intervention and teaching (ATS/APS)
Together we will explore the knowledge, understanding and practical experience required to be specialist SpLD teacher of dyslexic learners (up to the age of 18). Through investigation of research and literature you will develop a critical understanding of issues that may affect dyslexic learners and their families. Developing your understanding of the nature and definition of dyslexia will enable you to reflect on your understanding and construct structured, multisensory teaching programmes. By the end of the module you will have grown in your own practice enabling you to identify a profile of learner’s strengths and areas to be developed and plan subsequent teaching programmes and interventions.
Successful completion of module 1 will enable participants with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) to apply to the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) for Approved Teacher Status (ATS). Participants who do not hold QTS or QTLS status who successfully complete module 1 will be able to apply to the BDA for Approved Practitioner Status (APS).
Content
• Developing understanding of the practice and principles involved in the identification and assessment of learners with SpLD (dyslexia).
• Critical reflection upon the role of Information Technology.
• Follow and individualise a teaching programme to meet individual learner needs.
• Evaluation of personal specialist practice.
Module 2: Psychometrics and diagnostic assessments (AMBDA)
This module focuses on supporting practitioners to further investigate the role of the specialist SpLD (dyslexia) teacher of dyslexic learners (up to the age of 18). The module particularly focuses upon the construct, use and analysis of diagnostic assessments and how such assessments inform inclusive practice and individualised interventions.
The module will encompass critical learning and understanding from module 1 of the PGCert in SpLD (dyslexia) to enable the further development of professional qualities, knowledge and understanding required of the specialist SpLD (dyslexia) teacher. Successful completion of module 2 will enable participants to apply to the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) for Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) status.
Content
• The statutory and regulatory context for SpLD (dyslexia) and the implications for effective specialist teaching and assessment.
• Critical reflection upon the theory and practice of psychometrics.
• Identification of opportunities to increase inclusive approaches.
• Critical appraisal of teaching programmes and specialist practice.
• Develop an understanding of the social, emotional and community issues that may affect learners with SpLD (dyslexia).
