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Professional Tutoring Partnership appointed to deliver tutoring for the National Tutoring Programme

Professional Tutoring Partnership

The Professional Tutoring Partnership (PTP) has been appointed to deliver dedicated tuition to over 4,500 disadvantaged children. This partnership brings together extensive experience in the education of pupils with special educational needs. The Professional Tutoring Partnership is run by Real Group Ltd in collaboration with PatossBritish Dyslexia AssociationDyslexia ActionThe Dyslexia Guild and Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity. It will work alongside 31 other organisations to offer tutoring (subsidised by 75 per cent), as well as training, support and mentoring to tutors themselves, to schools across England.

We are delighted to be centrally involved in this exciting and important initiative.

More info…

National Tutoring Programme (NTP) Update

 
National Tutoring Programme (NTP)
The National Tutoring Programme (NTP) is a new large £350m DfE programme which is being organised through a collaboration of five charities – the Education Endowment Foundation, Sutton Trust, Impetus, Nesta and Teach First.
 
The NTP will soon be appointing 50 organisations to offer tutoring to schools beginning on the 1st of November. The NTP aims to support teachers and schools in providing a sustained response to the coronavirus pandemic and to provide a longer-term contribution to closing the attainment gap. Participating schools will be able to decide which of their pupils will most benefit from additional support, and which type of support is more suitable.
 
Schools will choose a Tuition Partner to work with and identify students requiring tutoring. 
 
Over the past few weeks we [The Dyslexia Guild, British Dyslexia Association (BDA), Patoss and Helen Arkell] have been meeting with the new National Tutoring Programme to help us understand their objectives and explore how we might contribute. It is clear that whilst they also want to help support young people who may have fallen behind academically they are also hoping to use this significant initiative to evaluate and build the evidence base about what time of tutoring and individual and small group teaching is most effective. 
 
We have, therefore, come to see this as an opportunity to demonstrate the positive difference our members can make to the attainment of children and young people. It is also a positive response to the crisis and will help ensure the children that need our support most will receive it. 
 
The Dyslexia Guild, BDA, Patoss, and Helen Arkell are concurrently asking all their members whether there is interest in us jointly bidding to become one of the approved tutoring organisations. 
 
Please note that it will not be possible to access the NTP funds without being formally linked to an approved organisation – also referred to as a Tuition Partner. 
 
Before we commit to bidding we would like to garner the interest of members in taking part in this initiative as tutors. Please note that the current thinking is that tutors would be engaged on a self-employed basis.
 
If you are listed on our websites as providing tuition please be aware that you may also be contacted by other tutoring organisations who are bidding for this work.
 
At this stage we would like you to please express an interest and to say how many tutoring hours in principle you could offer each week. We will not hold you to this response! It is however important for us to know that there is significant interest before we prepare a bid.
 
Further details and links can be found on our members website.
 

National Tutoring Programme (NTP)

 
National Tutoring Programme (NTP)

Qualified specialist teachers may be interested to learn more about the initiative to set up the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) as part of the Government’s response to the effects of the recent pandemic.

A joint group of providers including The Dyslexia Guild have written to the Secretary of State for Education indicating that they wish to support the NTP by offering access to their joint resources of professionally qualified and experienced specialist teachers and assessors of learners with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD). Read more

Our new free toolkit is now available to Guild members

new free toolkit

It is now possible for our members to access our new free toolkit.

We are pleased to launch our free toolkit which was mentioned in the May 2020 version of our Guild Gallery newsletter.

The toolkit is only available to Dyslexia Guild members’ and is suitable for those supporting adults. The materials will also be relevant to practitioners working with children with literacy difficulties as many of the ideas within it can be adapted for use with younger learners.

If you are a Dyslexia Guild member and would like to access this free toolkit, please do not hesitate to contact us

If you would like to join The Dyslexia Guild, please see here

Please note

 This will not be recognised as CPD for ADG FE/HE provisional membership status ie. for those who have not yet completed The Certificate in Supporting Adults with Dyslexia and Co-occurring Difficulties (DACRT56), but may be suitable CPD for qualified Guild members’ to add to their CPD Log (total 4 hours, no certificate is provided).

The Effective SEN Support Provision – Middle Leaders course is live!

Middle Leaders Course

Our parent company Real Group in conjunction with Real Training are pleased to announce that a brand new Effective SEN Support Provision – Middle Leaders course, created in partnership with Whole School SEND is now live – and all educators can access it free of charge!

This course is aimed at current and aspiring middle leaders who want to develop, embed and enact new skills in SEN support and provision.

You can learn more about the Middle Leaders course and how it could benefit your teams by accessing the dedicated page here

Please note: The Effective SEN Support Provision – Middle Leaders courses free course is not recognised as CPD for ADG FE/HE Dyslexia Guild members who have not yet completed
The Certificate in Supporting Adults with Dyslexia and Co-occurring Difficulties (DACRT56) but may be suitable CPD for qualified Guild members.

How this course benefits participants and their schools?

By completing this free CPD course, delegates will be able to:

• Understand how middle leaders can support strategic SEND provision while identifying opportunities to coordinate with other leaders in the school #

• Consider how effectively whole school approaches are implemented in their subject area

• Reflect on how line management can support effective SEND provision.

• Identify strategies and resources to support colleagues, including early career teachers, within a department to develop their practice

• Reflect on how subject-specific content can be presented to pupils with SEND

• Consider how assessment and tracking can support the identification of pupils with SEND

• Assess the learning environment for pupils with different needs, then identify and implement key strategies and resources that will support them

How is the course delivered and how long does it take?

The Effective SEN Support Provision – Middle Leaders course is delivered fully online and should take most current or aspiring middle leaders no more than 15 hours. The great news is you’ll be able to access the course for 12 months, so you can enjoy the course at a time, place and pace which works for you. However, there is no time like the present to continue to develop your inclusive leadership skills and knowledge.

Are you looking to apply for or renew your Assessment Practising Certificate (APC)?  

Assessment Practising Certificate (APC)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 Assessment Practising Certificate (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 Assessment Practising Certificate (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 here 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 Assessment Practising Certificate (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 

Registrations open for Real Training’s Free Access Arrangements Update course

 Free Access Arrangements Update course
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’s free Access Arrangements Update course. 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, please complete this online registration form.

Assessment Practising Certificate: New guidelines from the DfE and SASC

Extending the lifespan of assessment reports for dyslexia/SpLD

The Department for Education 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.

Assessment Reports Undertaken Prior to March 2019

Assessment reports that have been 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.

Assessment Reports Undertaken After March 2019

However, from March 2019, dyslexia/SpLD reports at any age should have been produced by a specialist teacher assessor with an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) issued by an SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) issuing body such as the Dyslexia Guild or a practitioner psychologist registered with the HCPC for them to be valid for DSA purposes.

Validity of an APC

An Assessment Practising Certificate provides approved recognition that the holder has relevant and up-to-date knowledge of dyslexia and specific learning difficulties (SpLD), and has the experience and competence to undertake dyslexia/SpLD assessments and reports. The Joint Council for Qualifications also recognises the APC as being recognised for the purposes of specialist assessment for Examination Access Arrangements.

Qualified specialist teacher assessors should always hold Indemnity Insurance for assessment work that is undertaken and should be mindful that their professional competence could be challenged if there is insufficient evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) as required by SASC. Guild members are able to access discounted Indemnity Insurance as a member benefit. An Assessment Practising Certificate recognises professional achievement and a commitment to CPD and must be renewed every three years. During the three-year period, regular CPD must be maintained with at least five hours a year being SASC accredited CPD. Practitioners who do not feel confident that their current practice and test knowledge is up to date should consider undertaking refresher training to update their professional skill. Further details on our APC updating course can be found 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 (Middx) 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.

The Dyslexia Guild

The Dyslexia Guild is a professional membership group which provides a wide range of professional development opportunities for those working in the field of specialist teaching and assessment. Eligible Grades of Membership for an Assessment Practising Certificate are:

  • MDG Member of the Dyslexia Guild (Qualified specialist teacher assessors)
  • FDG Fellow of the Dyslexia Guild (Qualified Members with extensive assessment experience)

Membership of a relevant professional association is a requirement for obtaining an APC. The Dyslexia Guild is a recognised professional association for APC. You should maintain your membership of The Dyslexia Guild in order to retain your APC and to ensure you are kept aware of new developments and to show continuing evidence of recent and relevant CPD. If your professional membership lapses then your APC will also lapse.

The SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) oversees the standards set for an Assessment Practising Certificate and maintains a list of approved assessors.  SASC has authorised the Dyslexia Guild to issue Assessment Practising Certificates on its behalf.

Applying for an APC for the first time

Full details on applying for an APC can be found here.

Applicants will need:

  • Current full membership of The Dyslexia Guild (MDG level)
  • Confirmation that you have read and agree to abide by The Dyslexia Guild Code of Practice
  • A completed application and confirmation that you have read and agree to the terms and conditions – please log into your members account to apply
  • A scanned copy of your specialist teacher assessor Dyslexia/SpLD Level 7 qualification and the fee of £180 (to include the SASC listing fee of £30)

If you have previously held an APC you should apply using the routes details outlined in the

Brochure Obtaining or Renewing an Assessment Practising Certificate which can be found here.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I undertake assessments with students do I need to hold an APC?

Yes if you wish your clients to be able to use the assessment report as evidence that they have dyslexia for the purposes of applying for Disabled Students Allowance in Higher Education. HCPC registered psychologists do not need to hold an APC.

Why has the Government made this change?

If Dyslexia is a lifelong condition clients should not need to pay for a reassessment post-16 if they are already in possession of a report that identifies they have dyslexia – assuming this report is written by an appropriately qualified professional.

If I undertake assessments aiming to identify whether a client has dyslexia do I need to follow SASC guidance for the assessment?

If you hold an APC and you wish your clients to use the report for the purposes of applying for a Disabled Students Allowance in Higher Education you must follow SASC guidance. SASC guidance is often under review and is regularly updated. SASC also holds consultations for professionals to respond to.

How much CPD must I undertake when I first become an APC holder?

For each of the first 3 years you hold your APC you will be required to complete:

5 hours of SASC authorised CPD, plus an additional 5 hours CPD, each year. SASC recommends some of this CPD is undertaken as mentoring.

Any other questions should be directed to the APC Administrator.

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