News

Renew or gain an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC)

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is essential for specialist teachers, assessors, and practitioners; it helps you to stay at the forefront of information in the field by updating your knowledge and professional practice. We have recently updated our Applying for and Renewing an Assessment Practising Certificate (DAAPCONL) online course, suitable for those looking to renew or gain an APC.  The course will detail new developments in diagnostic reporting and include materials and guidance based on the new SASC report format (mandatory from Summer 2020).

What are the benefits of applying for an APC?

An APC is a licence to practice for those carrying out assessments in schools for Exam Access Arrangements and in colleges for the Disabled Students’ Allowance. Many schools and college employers also now require their specialist teaching or support staff to obtain an APC.

Who can apply for this course?

Candidates should normally be qualified specialist assessors with a Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma or equivalent, and be familiar with diagnostic assessment report writing. Eligible and current guild members can save £10 on the course fee.

Why study with Dyslexia Action Training?

Dyslexia Action Training is a SASC Authorised CPD Provider. Twelve learning hours, of which five hours of the total learning hours for this course are recognized and accredited by SASC as fulfilling, in part, the (minimum) 20 CPD hours required over three years that contribute towards gaining or renewing an APC.

When and how can I apply for this course?

Our next intake is 20 November 2019 (register before 6 November) and other dates include January, March and May 2020. 

£205 +VAT for Non-Guild Members paying online by debit/credit card at the time of registration.

£195 +VAT for Guild Members paying online by debit/credit card at the time of registration.

To apply for the course, please complete an online booking form on our website here.

Amnesty/Grand-parenting route from March 2019 – March 2020 only

For a limited period qualified and practising specialist teacher assessors with a full level 7 qualification in assessment (e.g. the Professional Certificate in Assessment Practice (Middlesex University) or the Postgraduate Diploma in Dyslexia and Literacy (York) who have not previously applied for, or held, an Assessment Practising Certificate will be able to obtain an APC by completing an application form and uploading a copy of their qualification certificate. The fee is £180 and includes the SASC listing fee of £30 see Assessment Practising Certificate – APC read our brochure under ‘Download further information’ and apply directly under ‘How much does it cost and how to apply?’

I already hold an APC, do you offer other courses for SpLD Specialist Teachers or Assessors?

Dyslexia Action Training and Real Training offer a range of courses for qualified SpLD specialist teacher assessors to update their knowledge and skills in specialist assessment for SpLD. A list of all the qualifications we offer for specialist SpLD teachers and assessors can be found here. 

Should you need any further information regarding our CPD Level 7 Courses for SpLD  professionals do give us a call on 01784 222304 or email us at trainingcourses@dyslexiaaction.org.uk 

Dyslexia Awareness Week 7-13 October 2019 is a great opportunity to mention Dyslexia Action Training’s Dyslexia & Literacy Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme which has been recently been shortlisted for the Teach Secondary Awards.

Dyslexia Action Training CPD Programme

Our CPD programme enables teachers, tutors and learning support staff to become qualified specialist teachers/practitioners to gain specialist knowledge and practical skills relevant to a wide range of settings. The courses run six times a year with start dates: November, January, March, May, July, and September. The courses are fully delivered online with the allocation of a tutor. 

CPD Progression 

Dyslexia Action Training flexible CPD programme offers the opportunity to promote dyslexia awareness and choose from a range of study options:

• Units – Enhance your skills in a particular area with just one level 4 or 5 units.
• Awards – Combine three units to achieve an award.
• Certificates – Combine two awards (six units) to achieve a certificate.

Please note that it is not possible to sign up directly for a certificate, you should sign up for units or awards in your chosen pathway first.

• Diploma – A combination of two certificates, the second of which must be the Certificate in Strategic Teaching Support for Dyslexia and Literacy (DACRT60), make up the Level 5 Diploma in Strategic Teaching Support for Dyslexia and Literacy (DADIP61). 

CPD Units Available  

The CPD Short Courses for teaching professionals at all levels include topics to bring dyslexia awareness such as dyslexia and co-occurring difficulties, memory weaknesses, structured, cumulative multisensory tuition, study skills and assistive technologies to name a few.  

Many of our level 4 and 5 units focus on how to nurture the development of school learners with dyslexia with regard to key skills, such as reading, writing, spelling, and numeracy. Other modules focus on supporting adults with dyslexia and working with learners in an international setting.

Level 4 Dyslexia and Co-occurring Difficulties (DACPD51) 

CPD/International Pathway

Level 4 Supporting Individuals with Memory Weaknesses (DACPD52) 

CPD/International/Adults Pathway

Level 4 Structured, Cumulative Multisensory Tuition for Learners with Dyslexia (DACPD53) 

CPD/International Pathway

Level 4 Developing Reading Skills in Learners with Dyslexia (DACPD84)

 CPD/International 

Pathway

Level 4 Developing Writing Skills in Learners with Dyslexia (DACPD85) 

CPD/International Pathway

Level 4 Developing Spelling Skills in Learners with Dyslexia (DACPD86) 

CPD Pathway

Level 4 Supporting Adults with Dyslexia and Co-occurring Difficulties (DACPD91)

 Adults Pathway

Level 5 Supporting Study Skills in Adults with Dyslexia (DACPD92) 

Adults Pathway

Level 5 Developing Writing Skills in Adults with Dyslexia (DACPD93) 

Adults Pathway

Level 5 Dyslexia in Multilingual Settings (DACPD94) 

Adults/International Pathway

Level 5 Developing Literacy Skills with Assistive Technology (DACPD96)

Adults Pathway

Level 4 Developing Numeracy Skills in Learners with Dyslexia and Dyscalculia (DACPD99)

Not in a Pathway but can be swapped out with one other unit (conditions apply)

How to apply for a CPD unit or award? 

There is still time to apply for a CPD unit or award for those who wish to start on 20 November 2019. 

Each CPD unit costs £295 + VAT. Book three set units as an Award and save £30 cost is £855 + VAT. 

If you want to apply for any of the above courses, please go to our Make a booking page. The deadline to apply for a November start is 6 November (if paying by invoice) or 13 November (if paying by credit/debit card). 

Should you need any further information regarding our CPD Programme do give us a call on 01784 222304 or email us on trainingcourses@dyslexiaaction.org.uk 

Dyslexia Action Training is pleased to announce the release of our level 5 Diploma in Strategic Teaching Support for Dyslexia and Literacy (DADIP61) Fast Track Route to becoming an SpLD qualified teacher/assessor.

The Level 5 SpLD Fast Track Route is now available for graduates who cannot commit to 20 hours a week study time which is required on the Level 7 route.

This Fast Track Route will start in January 2020. It is only available to those who hold a degree or foundation degree plus a minimum of two years recent and relevant teacher/practitioner experience within an educational establishment

The Level 5 Diploma Fast Track Route programme consists of:

1. Focal Points for Literacy (DAAWD80)

2. The level 5 Certificate in Strategic Teaching Support for Dyslexia and Literacy (DACRT60)

Total completion of the Level 5 SpLD Fast Track Route would be one calendar year.

The level 5 Diploma course provides an introduction to a unique structured specialist teaching programme, the Dyslexia Action Literacy Programme (DALP) that can be used in school or college settings or with individuals of any reading age in private practice.

The Award in Focal Points for Literacy (DAAWD80) starting date is 6 January 2020. If you are keen to register, you can book a place today. The deadline to join this course is 22 November 2019.

If you do not hold a degree you may be interested in our Pathway route to gain the level 5 Diploma refer to our primary/secondary, adult and international CPD pathways.

The Level 5 Diploma (DADIP61) confers eligibility for Associate Membership of The Dyslexia Guild (ADG) recognised as the first grade of professional membership for a specialist teacher/practitioner.

The Level 5 Diploma is also accredited by the British Dyslexia Association for Approved Teacher Status or Approved Practitioner Status (ATS/APS) and approved by The CPD Standards Office.

We are delighted that our online Dyslexia and Literacy CPD Programme has been shortlisted in the CPD category of the 2019 Teach Secondary Awards.

Here are some thoughts on the programme from our delegates:

Have you heard about recent DfE and SASC guidelines regarding Assessment Practising Certificates (APC)?

Specialist Dyslexia Teacher Training update. The Department for Education (DfE) changed its evidence requirements for applications for the Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA; for higher education students). Dyslexia/SpLD Reports undertaken at any age will now be accepted for the purposes of a DSA. Please note: Form 8 Access Arrangement Reports are not acceptable as these are not full assessment reports.

From March 2019, dyslexia or SpLD reports at any age need to be produced by a specialist teacher assessor with an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC). Then, the APC must be issued by an SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) issuing bodies e.g The Dyslexia Guild or a practitioner psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for them to be valid for DSA purposes.

Besides, assessment reports undertaken by a fully qualified specialist teacher assessor or an HCPC registered psychologist prior to March 2019 will now be accepted by Student Finance England (SFE) for DSA purposes. For more information, please click here here.

Would you like to apply for an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC)?

As a result, we outlined below the qualifications to become a Specialist Dyslexia Teacher Training and then apply for an APC:

1.A Specialist Dyslexia Teacher Training qualification at Level 7 or Level 5 such as:

Dyslexia Action Professional Certificate in Structured Teaching Intervention (Level 7)*

or

Dyslexia Action Diploma in Strategic Teaching Support for Dyslexia and Literacy (Level 5)*

*This Specialist Dyslexia Teacher Training eligible for Associate Member (ADG) with The Dyslexia Guild or ATS/APS with the BDA

2. Real Training CCET or CPT3A  and register on the British Psychological Society Register of Qualifications in Test Use  (BPS RQTU) as Test User

3. Complete Real Training Dyslexia – Professional Report Writing (DPRW)*

*Please note to enroll on DPRW module, it is mandatory to have completed CCET/CP3A, registered with the British Psychological Society Register of Qualifications in Test Use (BPS RQTU) and hold Associate Membership (ADG) with the Dyslexia Guild or ATS or APS.

After gaining the above qualifications how do I apply for an APC?

Please click here to see information and a detailed brochure of how to apply for an APC with the Dyslexia Guild.

Free Access Arrangements Update 

Real Training, our sister company, will organise for the second consecutive year a free Access Arrangements Update course.

Having said that, we’re happy to be able to share two pieces of great news at the start of the summer term. Registrations are now open for this autumn. Secondly – having taken on board feedback from some of last year’s delegates who need to maintain SASC CPD – we’ve now registered the course with SASC and those completing the course now benefit from three SASC-accredited CPD hours.

If you want to read more about it, access this link.

To book your place, access this page.

What are the new guidelines set by the DfE and SASC?

New guidelines. Dyslexia Action Training has been informed The Department for Education (DfE) has changed its evidence requirements for applications for the Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA; for higher education students). Dyslexia/SpLD Reports undertaken at any age will now be accepted for the purposes of a DSA. Please note that Form 8 Access Arrangement Reports are not acceptable as these are not full assessment reports.

For more information, check this link.

Have you considered how developing the most key frontline resource – your Teaching Assistants (TAs) and Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) – could improve even further your students’ outcomes?

How can we maximise Teaching Assistants skills to help those with Special Educational Needs (SEN) with CPD?

In November 2016, a report published by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) entitled  ‘Make The Best Use of Teaching Assistants’ highlights that since 2000, the number of Teaching Assistants in English mainstream schools increased from 79,000 to 243,700. The rising number of TAs can be explained by a will from both primary and secondary settings on how TAs can work alongside teachers overwhelmed with the workload, in particular allowing teachers to be able to spend more time with low attaining children and those with special education needs and learning disabilities. The EEF report is in line with The Professional Standards for Teaching Assistants guidelines published the same year to raise awareness on how Teaching Assistants (TAs) CPD  can help implement effective and inclusive practices in schools.

What are the benefits of joining the Dyslexia Action CPD Courses for Teachers?

For 40 years, Dyslexia Action has been supporting teaching assistants, SENCOs, instructors, tutors, lecturers and learning support staff by implementing programmes promoting reading skills The Dyslexia Action CPD Programme we offer is quality-assured by The CPD Standards Office and is made of independent short online courses (called units). These units allow you to build up your own programme over time to gain either an Award (three Units) or a Certificate (two Awards/six Units). Join our CPD Programme in May 2019 and you will be able to:

• Evaluate current practice in your setting
• Learn new theories and strategies
• Flexible online study which fits around personal and professional commitments
• Support from a team of specialist tutors.
• Can be completed within seven weeks

Certificate Courses and Pathways (Level 4 and 5) available if you join Dyslexia Action CPD Courses for Teachers

Certificate in Supporting Literacy in Learners with Dyslexia (DACRT51)

These are the units contained within DACRT51, you can either book an individual unit at £295 +VAT (six units in total) or an Award of three set units at £855 +VAT (two Awards in total) which gives you £10 saving per unit:

Dyslexia and Co-occurring difficulties (DACPD51)
Dyslexia: Supporting Individuals with Memory Weaknesses (DACPD52)
Structured, Cumulative Multisensory Tuition for Learners with Dyslexia (DACPD53)

Developing Reading Skills in Learners with Dyslexia (DACPD84)
Developing Writing Skills in Learners with Dyslexia (DACPD85)
Developing Spelling Skills in Learners with Dyslexia (DACPD86)

Certificate in Supporting Adults with Dyslexia and Co-occurring Difficulties (DACRT56)

These are the units contained within DACRT56, you can either book an individual unit at £295 +VAT (six units in total) or an Award of three set units at £855 +VAT (two Awards in total) which gives you £10 saving per unit:

Level 4 Supporting Adults with Dyslexia and Co-occurring Difficulties  (DACPD91)
Level 5 Supporting Study Skills in Adults with Dyslexia (DACPD92)
Level 5 Developing Literacy Skills with Assistive Technology (DACPD96)

Level 4 Supporting Individuals with Memory Weaknesses (DACPD52)
Level 5 Developing Writing Skills in Adults with Dyslexia (DACPD93)
Level 5 Dyslexia in Multilingual Settings (DACPD94)  

Certificate in Supporting International Learners with Dyslexia (DACRT67)

These are the units contained within DACRT67, you can either book an individual unit at £295 +VAT (six units in total) or an Award of three set units at £855 +VAT (two Awards in total) which gives you £10 saving per unit:

Dyslexia and Co-occurring Difficulties (DACPD51)
Dyslexia: Supporting Individuals with Memory Weaknesses (DACPD52)
Structured, Cumulative Multisensory Tuition for Learners with Dyslexia (DACPD53)

Developing Reading Skills in Learners with Dyslexia (DACPD84)
Developing Writing Skills in Learners with Dyslexia (DACPD85)
Level 5 Dyslexia in Multilingual Settings (DACPD94)

Progression from Certificates 51, 56 and 67

On completion of one of the above Pathways, participants can progress to the Level 5 Certificate in Strategic Teaching Support (DACRT60) a specialist teacher training course. This level 5 Certificate course is the second part of the Diploma qualification and provides an introduction to a structured specialist teaching programme that can be used in school or college settings or with individuals of any reading age in private practice.

When can I join your CPD Programme?

CPD courses for teachers run six times a year. Our next intake will start on 8 May 2019 so if you are keen to register with us, please apply online here by 24 April (if pay later/invoice required upfront) or by 1 May if paying by credit/debit card.