Level 7 Diploma in Teaching and Assessing Learners with Dyslexia, Specific Learning Differences and Barriers to Literacy

The Level 7 Diploma in Teaching and Assessing Learners with Dyslexia, Specific Learning Differences and Barriers to Literacy is accredited by Gateway Qualifications.

This 1 year nationally accredited qualification is suitable for experienced specialist teachers with a Level 5 qualification in Dyslexia/ Specific Learning Differences who wish to develop their skills & become a specialist teacher/ assessor.

About Us

The tutors on the Level 7 Diploma are Jane Opie and Sue Ferguson. They are both highly qualified and experienced and have each worked within the field of dyslexia and specific learning differences for over 25 years. They are current practitioners and experienced trainers with up to date knowledge across the entire age range, working within primary, secondary, further and higher education and with adults in the workplace.

Studying with Dyslexia Herts will enable you to develop your skills and build your confidence to work with children, young, people and adults.

When you train with us you will benefit from small group sizes and caring tutors who will be able to guide and support you through the course. Teaching and tutorials will be available face to face and online and you will also have access to online resources and a discussion forum.

Who is the Level 7 Diploma course for?

The course that we offer is for experienced specialist teachers with a Level 5 qualification in Dyslexia/ Specific Learning Differences. Ideally, this should have been completed within the last 3 years. Candidates who completed their Level 5 qualification longer ago than this may be asked to provide further evidence of their continuing professional development and teaching experience since qualifying.

Candidates may be working as:

• SENCOs/ Inclusion Managers
• Learning Support tutors
• Specialist teachers
• Speech and language therapists
• Other professionals working within an educational setting.

Candidates who do not hold a  Level 5 qualifications in supporting learners with SpLD may wish to contact Dyslexia Understood who are offering this course.

We appreciate that our candidates may have extensive experience within dyslexia and SpLDs- please contact us to discuss the best route for you.

What will I learn?

This course will equip you with the underpinning theoretical knowledge and practical skills you will need to become a specialist teacher/ assessor and to broaden your knowledge of working with learners with dyslexia and associated specific learning differences.

The course will teach you to administer standardised tests and write diagnostic assessment reports for specific learning differences, which make recommendations to move learning forward, inform specialist teaching programmes and advise on access arrangements in examinations.

You will complete one teaching practice and be observed and supported by tutors as you teach learners with more complex profiles.

How will I learn?

We believe that it is important for our students to meet regularly with others who are working in a range of different settings and learn from working collaboratively with each other. The Level 7 Diploma is an academic Masters Level course but it is also very practical, and you will benefit from time spent reviewing the range of assessment materials available and being able to practice using them in a supportive environment.

Our course offers a combination of online and monthly taught sessions which will include lectures, workshops, guest speakers, tutorials, discussion groups, directed study, research and practical, hands-on sessions working with resources and assessment materials.

What opportunities are there to progress after this course?

The Level 7 Diploma can lead to many different careers within the field of specific learning differences and  provides an exciting opportunity to progress to job roles that require the ability to:

• Carry out diagnostic assessments for Specific Learning differences and write assessment reports on learners’ educational needs to inform local authorities, other professionals, learners and parents/carers.
• Carry out assessments for children, young people and adults and write reports advising on schools, colleges, local authorities and awarding bodies.
• Take an advisory role with regard to school/college policies for both inclusion and effective teaching of learners with specific learning differences.
• Work more flexibly as a freelance specialist tutor/ assessor.

Candidates will also be able to apply for an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) and can apply for British Dyslexia Association Membership (AMBDA).

Training with Dyslexia Herts will mean that you will have the knowledge and skills you need to provide high-quality support and write reports to a high standard so that, once qualified, you are well-equipped to work in this rewarding field.

When?

The course runs over three terms and is a blend of live webinars and attendance days over the year and tutorial support (both face to face and online). We also have a Moodle site (Virtual Learning Environment) where you can access course handouts and resources and submit work.

Our next start date will be January 2021

Attendance days are held on Saturday from 9.30- 5.00

Where?

The January course will begin with a series of live webinars, with taught sessions resuming in the Summer Term and held at:

Dyslexia Herts, Audley House, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 1EH

Depending on course numbers your sessions may be held at another location in the Berkhamsted or Tring area.

Funding

Candidates may be funded by their school/college, local authority or self-fund. We are able to split the cost into 4 instalments spread over the year.

Interested?

To find out more please contact us by email

To apply please complete our course application form. We will get in touch to arrange to meet you.