Level 7 Diploma in Teaching and Assessing Learners with Dyslexia, Specific Learning Differences and Barriers to Literacy
£0

About this course
Level 7 Diploma in Teaching and Assessing Learners with Dyslexia, Specific Learning Differences and Barriers to Literacy
Dyslexia Herts has many years experience in delivering high quality training and has been commended by our students and awarding bodies for our supportive and developmental learning environment .
The Level 7 Diploma in Teaching and Assessing Learners with Dyslexia, Specific Learning Differences and Barriers to Literacy is accredited by Gateway Qualifications and recognised by the British Dyslexia Association and PATOSS
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 taught sessions which will include live online or face to face lectures and workshops, tutorials, discussion groups, directed study, research and practical, hands-on sessions working with resources and assessment materials. You will have access to our Virtual Learning Environment.
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).
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 2023. We are now open for applications.
The 4 attendance days are held on Saturday from 9.30- 5.00
Where?
The course will begin with a series of live webinars, and taught sessions which are held on Saturdays at:
Pennyroyal Court, Station Road Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 5QY
Depending on course numbers your sessions may be held at another location in the Hertfordshire area.
Fees & Funding
Fees are currently £4250 (+VAT)
Candidates are either fully or partially funded by their school/college, local authority or self-fund. We are able to split the cost into 4 instalments spread over the year. Payments can also be made by Debit/Credit card.
If a school/ college is paying for the course the VAT (20%) can be offset
Interested?
To find out more please book an appointment or contact us by email
To apply please complete our course application form. We will get in touch to arrange to meet you.
Term 1
- Introduction to diagnostic assessment – preparing to assess
- Explore the principles of psychometric testing
- Begin background reading for extended essay on key theoretical concepts relating to your chosen specialist area
- Research assessment materials, read test manuals, practice tests and gain information from wider reading on psychometric testing
- Practice administering & scoring tests and writing up findings
- Case studies and discussion of different SpLD profiles
- Develop report-writing skills
Term 2
- Explore co-occurring difficulties and complex SpLD profiles
- Gain confidence in report-writing through group tasks and activities
- Develop an understanding of recommendations for learners across different stages of education or individuals in the workplace
- Find out more about resources that are available to support learning, including assistive technology
- Plan, assess and write 2 formal diagnostic assessment reports
- Write a review on psychometric testing
Term 3
- Prepare to teach
- Plan & deliver teaching programme
- Focus on access arrangements
- Plan, assess and write 1 formal diagnostic assessment report
- Submit extended essay & deliver a presentation on your chosen specialist area
- Completion of portfolio with tutorial support
Dyslexia Assessing & Reporting. The PATOSS Guide
Anwen Jones & Katherine Kindersley, Hodder Education
The Psychology of Dyslexia, ‘A Handbook for teachers’
Michael Thomson, Wiley Blackwell
Assessment of Learners with Dyslexic-Type Difficulties
Sylvia Phillips, Kathleen Kelly, Liz Symes, Sage
Educational Testing A Competence -Based Approach
James Boyle & Stephen Fisher, PBS Blackwell
Dyslexia: Assessing the Need for Access Arrangements During Examinations 5th Edition
Lia Border, PATOSS
Special Needs Assessment Handbook for Specific Learning Difficulties
Charles Weedon, Hodder Education
The Dyslexia Assessment
Gavin Reid & Jenny Guise, Bloomsbury
PATOSS Membership
https://www.patoss-dyslexia.org
Local PATOSS Groups
https://www.patoss-dyslexia.org/ProfessionalServices/LocalGroups/
Dyslexia SpLD Trust
http://www.thedyslexia-spldtrust.org.uk/
The SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC)
SENCO Forum
http://lists.education.gov.uk/mailman/listinfo/senco-forum
British Dyslexia Association
To apply please contact us by email or call 01442 463950 for an informal discussion to find out more or complete our course application form.
Syllabus
Tutors on the Level 7 course are qualified and highly experienced with current knowledge of working within primary, secondary, further and higher education and/ or with adults in the workplace.
Term 1 0/7
Week 2 0/6
Diplomatic Language
Tools for Professional Approach - Step 2: It’s not just about learning, it’s about having the confidence to use English in real life and upgrade your business communication skills.
Term 3 0/6