Level 5 Certificate in Dyscalculia or Dyslexia

[Thatsotypicallyme]

I'm a TA with many years experience working in both independent and state schools. I made a career change after having children as going back to my old job wouldn't be sustainable.

I'm considering doing a level 5 Certificate to become a specialist teacher but unsure if I should do the Dyslexia or the Dyscalculia course. I have a BA and an MA and have done maths upto A level.

I've only ever come across teachers for dyslexia so wondering about job prospects if I go down the maths route. Any and all insight welcome. Thanks for reading. 🙂

Hi @Thatsotypicallyme ,

I was just googling about this and came across your thread. Like you, I'm also interested in becoming a specialist dyscalculia tutor, as I am currently a 1 to 1 support tutor for maths in FE.

There seems to be very little out there for dyscalculia, so in terms of job prospects, I think you will stand out if you have specialism in this area. That's just me though, and I may be a bit biased because I'm a maths teacher!

Have you signed up for this September?

Hi @xsquared,

Yes! I have applied for September but still haven't heard back - just that there are a lot of applications and a decision will be made shortly.

Like you, I have googled it to death and despite there not being much have gone ahead with my application 🙂

Have you signed up for September as well?

Not signed up for September, but the one I was looking at has 3 intakes a year, September, January and May.

The level 5 from the BDA sounds almost like a PGCE with the amount of work you'd have to do, which includes 8 10,000 word assignments, 30×2 teaching hours with 20 of those hours recorded.

I didn't realise it was that popular! I just want to attend some training events for dyscalculia as there doesn't seem to be a lot, and anything there is, is expensive.

I'm still at the browsing stage and I've emailed SEND Group to ask about their L3 and L5 which seems to be mostly online based including the assessments.

Which did you go for in the end? I hope you hear from them soon and that it's a favourable outcome for you.

I have signed up for the L5 course offered by the BDA. Not only is it a lot of work but quite expensive as well, which is why I'm getting cold feet!

Like you I didn't think the dyscalculia course would be that popular and didn't expect to be placed on a waiting list.

The SEND group's offering looks great too. There's not much detail about the amount of coursework.

Did you come across any others in your search?

I'm waiting to hear back from the SEND Group having been told that they'll pass my enquiries onto the tutor. It looks like it's assessed by Judy Hornigold, which us the same name cropping up whenever I look at Dyscalculia related things.

There isn't a great deal out there, and I think the BDA L5 course is the main one, but have a look at these from the Dyscalculia Network if you haven't done so already. The list of courses os at the bottom.

dyscalculianetwork.com/dyscalculia-for-educators/

Thanks so much. I will have a look.

Everything about the SEND group sounds positive. Hopefully you'll hear back very soon. I'll keep you posted when I hear something 🙂 Good luck! x

Hi

if you have a degree look at edge hill, they do module 1 of their level 7 course as dyslexia level 5.

also a new provider
specialist teacher training are offering dyscalculia both level 5 and 7 both face to face and online. .
https://specialistteachertraining.com

its run by one of the tutors from edge hill

Hi @Thatsotypicallyme,

Have you heard back from the course organiser on whether you got in?

I received an email back from the course tutor, but I'm still not sure whether to go ahead with the course. Even at Level 3, the cost of the online course is around £800, and if I decide to progress to the Level 5 top up, it will add another £1100.

I think I might start a separate thread on whether anyone has done a level 3 course in dyscalculia, as it would be helpful to find out about others' experience and whether it's worth it.

Hi @xsquared,

I was offered a place for September just two days ago! It's very exciting but I'm quite daunted by the amount of work that I have to do. Since I don't have a teaching qualification, I reckon I should just bite the bullet and do it regardless of how intense the course is.

Sorry to hear that you're unable to find a course that's suited to your needs. I'm sure there's more to be learnt from others that have done the level 3.

Happy to keep you informed on how I get on if it helps you decide whether to go ahead with the course or not x

Congratulations @Thatsotypicallyme . That's really exciting for you!

You have extensive experience of working in the classroom, and that counts, so don't doubt yourself.

Will you still be working as a TA while you're doing the course and will it be your employer that pays for your course?

I will probably have a chat with my line manager about this first before I make any commitments.

Thank you for your kind offer to keep me posted about the course.That would be very helpful.

All the best with the level 5 course. I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for your encouraging words 😊 Yes I'll still be working as a TA but my line manager has agreed to me dropping one day to give me time to complete my coursework. School will be contributing 50% towards the cost which is helpful. I'll be covering the rest with savings. Hope you're able to work something out with your school xx

It's really good that your school is really supportive of you doing the course, and thank you too for your best wishes.

Hi @Thatsotypicallyme ,
A year on and how have you found the course?

Since posting on those, I've approached my line manager about my interest, and it has been approved by the funding manager.

I'm hoping to start in September, which us very exciting. Are there any pearls of wisdom you can offer to prepare myself of what's to come?

My only plan at the moment is once I sign up, I will do some preliminary reading 9ber the summer.

Hi @xsquared
Nice to hear from you. The course has been great. I've just been very very busy. There is a lot to cover and time seems to whizz by.

Congratulations on receiving the go ahead. I'm sure you'll find it very beneficial. If you have any questions DM me. Good luck! x

Hi @Thatsotypicallyme ,

Good to hear from you again, and that the course has been great.

I have PMed you.