411 High Street Chatham Kent ME4 4NU
Tel: 01634 848232
Helpline: 0870 770 5262

OCN An Introduction to Supporting Learners with Dyslexia

This course is accredited to the Open College Network. The Accreditation is at Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) or Level 3 (equivalent to A Level).

The course aims to give basic knowledge of dyslexia, raising awareness of the condition, ways in which it can be identified and ways in which people with dyslexia can be supported while learning.

It is a good foundation course to any of the courses that we run here and the student needs no prior qualifications to undertake it. Anyone that has an interest can do the course.

The course is a notional 30 hours, about half of which is contact time. It is usually run over seven two hour sessions in an evening between 7 - 9 pm, however some daytime courses may be available. To gain the qualification the candidate has to produce a portfolio of evidence. No teaching is required.

Start Date: TBC
Day and Time: TBA
Venue: MDA, 411 High Street Chatham Kent ME4 4NU
Fee: £340.00
Downloadable Word Application Form

OCR Level 2 Certificate for Teaching Assistants Scheme Code : 03778

Aims

This qualification aims to:

• develop knowledge and understanding of the educational environment
• develop the roles and responsibilities of teaching assistants
• develop knowledge of the learning process
• develop skills contributing to the preparation and administration of learning sessions
• develop the ability to support the development of learners' literacy, numeracy and ICT skills

Target Group

The qualification is aimed at those teaching assistants:

• new to the role and whose responsibilities are limited in scope
• whose levels of decision making and work are tightly defined by the teacher
• assisting the teacher in the management of learners; supporting access to learning; preparation and maintenance of resources
• working in any educational setting - foundation, primary, secondary, further education and including special educational settings

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification, however, the qualification is designed to assess skills at Level 2 and the evidence requirements reflect this level of attainment.

OCR Level 3 Certificate for Teaching Assistants Scheme Code : 03779

Aims

This qualification aims to:

• develop knowledge and understanding of professional practice in an educational environment
• develop an understanding of the role and responsibilities of teaching assistants
• develop understanding of the learning process
• develop the ability to contribute to behaviour management
• develop skills in supporting learning strategies
• develop ability to support the development of learners' literacy and numeracy skills

Target Group

The qualification is aimed at those:

• who have some autonomy in the role
• who have a varied range of responsibilities and some opportunities for decision making - being overseen, rather than led by, the teacher
• with responsibility for implementing agreed planned programmes of work; managing and preparing resources; providing support to learners requiring particular help to overcome barriers to learning
• working in any educational setting - foundation, primary, secondary, further education and including special educational settings

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification, however, the qualification is designed to assess skills at Level 3 and the evidence requirements reflect this level of attainment.

O.C.R. Level 5 Certificate in Teaching Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) (03572)
(Previously Level 4 Certificate)

The course consists of a series of units and elements of competence.

Candidates are expected to compile and present for assessment portfolio containing evidence of competence. Some elements of work will be externally assessed.

Who can gain the certificate?

This qualification is designed primarily to provide a route for continued professional development for teachers working with learners with specific learning difficulties in literacy and numeracy acquisition. They may be classroom teachers and learning support staff in schools or learning support tutors and trainers in FE and/or basic skills training or other appropriately qualified professionals who require skills in identifying and supporting learners with specific learning difficulties.

Course Units

• Unit 1 – Special educational needs policy and context
• Unit 2 – Identifying learners with dyslexia
• Unit 3 – Teaching learners with dyslexia
• Unit 4 – Teaching methods and reflective practice

Course Requirements

• Attendance at lectures and seminars
• Provide directed written evidence of Unit 1, to be externally marked
• Two teaching practices with two separate learners within the same age range.
• Observation by an assessor of the candidate’s teaching practices, including the use of appropriate materials
• Compile portfolios containing evidence of assessment, teaching and evaluation of teaching practice.

Start Date: September/October 2007
Day and Time: Thursday 1-5 pm
Venue: MDA, 411 High Street, Chatham, Kent ME4 4NU
Length of Course: 30 weeks
Fee: £2020.00
Downloadable Word Application Form

O.C.R. Level 7 Certificate in Assessing and Teaching Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) Scheme Code: 03573
(Previously Level 5 Certificate)

The course consists of a series of units and elements of competence.

Candidates are expected to compile and present for assessment portfolios containing evidence of competence. Some elements of work will be externally assessed.

Who can gain the certificate?

This qualification is designed to meet the needs of qualified teachers who not only teach learners who have specific learning needs, but also provide formal diagnostic assessment reports based on the use of standardised assessment tests. They have a broader role which involves providing advice to others with regard to appropriate teaching programmes for the individuals they have assessed. This qualification would be appropriate for teachers/trainers with responsibility for SpLD across the whole phase/centre and who are involved in advising and supporting classroom teachers, such as Specialist & Advisory teachers, SENCOs/Learning Support tutors & managers or Speech & Language therapists and other professionals working in an educational setting.

Course Units

Unit 1 – Psychometric and educational assessment methods
Unit 2 – Diagnostic assessment of learners
Unit 3 – Communication & liaison with others
Unit 4 – Reporting special educational and assessment needs
Unit 5 – Teaching learners with dyslexia and reflective practice

Course Requirements

• Attendance at lectures and seminars
• Provide directed written evidence for unit 1, to be externally marked
• Plan and conduct diagnostic assessments and compile diagnostic assessment reports plus recommendations and teaching programmes
• Compile lists, write information sheets and produce a chart relating to regulations regarding learners undergoing formal assessment.
• Two teaching practices with two separate learners within the same age range.
• Compile portfolios containing evidence of assessment, teaching and evaluation of teaching practices.

There is accreditation of prior learning for those who have achieved the 03572 OCR Level 4 Certificate (Now 03752 Level 5 Certificate since change of grading implemented in October 2005)

Start Date: October 2007
Day & Time: Tuesdays 13.00 – 16.30
Venue: MDA, 411 High Street, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4NU
Length of Course: 30 weeks
Fee: £1,805.00
Downloadable Word Application Form

O.C.R. Level 7 Diploma in Assessing and Teaching Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) Scheme Code: 03574/03575 (Previously Level 5 Diploma)

The course consists of a series of units and elements of competence.

Candidates are expected to compile and present for assessment portfolios containing evidence of competence. Some elements of work will be externally assessed.

Who can gain the diploma?

This qualification is available to those who have achieved the Level 7 Certificate. It contains two units. It is designed to meet the needs of qualified teachers who wish to broaden their knowledge and understanding in the field of SpLD through extended research.
This qualification would be appropriate for teachers/trainers with responsibility for SpLD across the whole phase/centre and who are involved in advising and supporting classroom teachers, such as Specialist & Advisory teachers, SENCOs/Learning Support tutors & managers or Speech & Language therapists and other professionals working in an educational setting.

Course Units

• Key theoretical concepts for teaching learners with dyslexia
• Assessing and teaching in the context of specific learning difficulties

Course Requirements

• Attendance at lectures and seminars
• Other requirements as for Level 5 Certificate
• Write an extended essay of 5000 words for Unit 6
• Compile a portfolio containing evidence of assessment, teaching and evaluation of at least 12 weeks of teaching practice with a learner with distinctly different needs from those taught for the Certificate.

There is accreditation of prior learning for those who have achieved the 03572 OCR Level 4 Certificate (Now 03752 Level 5 Certificate since change of grading implemented in October 2005)

Start Date: To be negotiated once the Level 7 Certificate achieved.
Day & Time: By arrangement
Venue: MDA, 411 High Street, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4NU
Length of Course: Tutorial time & independent study
Step Up Fee: £300
Downloadable Word Application Form

SPECIALIST TUITION
We can provide specialist tuition for children and adults, although we currently have limited capacity.
In addition to specialist tuition, we run the Touch-type Read & Spell programme on Wednesdays at 16:00. We are also running the XL project starting in February 2006, which will incorporate TTRS. The XL Project is aimed at dyslexic youngsters between 9-13 years. For a free trial lesson of TTRS or to learn more about the project, please contact the centre.

For further information contact us