Dyscalculia Accredited Course - Level 3/5 - Has anyone done it?

[xsquared]

I'm a maths intervention tutor at a further education college and I think our college is desperately lacking the right sort of provision for student who have either been diagnosed as having dyscalculia or have severe difficulties in learning maths.

Having done a fair bit of Googling of training events and courses, I came across the level 3 and level 5 from the SEND group, which I am thinking about.

I have a degree and a PGCE for secondary maths, as well as experience in the classroom, so I believe on that basis, I would be eligible for the level 5 if I applied.

However, I am a little reluctant to commit just yet as it is a lot of money, and I don't think my employer would pay for it. Would it be better to start with the level 3 first, and then progress to the level 5 with the top up course? There isn't really anyone at work who can advise me, but I think it's a worthwhile thing for me to do as part of CPD in my subject area.

I do realise this is a very niche area, so I appreciate any comments. Thank you.

Hi. Hello. The SEND group Level 5 course we hear lots of good things about. As you are already a well qaulified and experienced teacher the level 5 would probably be the best starting point. There is a lot of free information on our website www.dyscalculianetwork.com that might be of help 😀 If you want any further help drop us am email to [email protected] and we can have a chat
Cat (co-founder Dyscalculia Network)

Thanks Cat for your reply. I think I may have already spoken to you on a Q and A session fairly recently, but I will probably drop you an email soon to ask you about training opportunities. Thank you.

You are most welcome! Glad you had already found us!

I did a PGCE with Edge Hill for dyscalculia you have to buy £2k worth of assessment tools and they also upped the time from 1 year to 2 years when I had started. A £2k course turned into a £6k course very suddenly and I left. Just check what you have to pay for on top of that. It was a shambles of a course and they admitted that they didn;t know if it was going to give you the qualification everyone wanted at the end. They admitted this after the first module.

I realise this is almost a year later, but thanks for your response.

What a shame that your course didn't turn out to be what you thought it was. The one I am looking to do is run by Specialist Teacher Training, and it is all online. You say you left the course, was this after the first module and have you found alternative provision since then?

I am just about to submit an application to do the course with my employer, who have approved but if there are that many hidden costs, then I think they might have second thoughts.

Hi it really was a shame that it turned out the way it did I would've loved to have completed it. I left the course after completing the first module so about 4 months in. I looked for alternative provision after but I didn't find any and then my employers asked me to complete another course so I felt it wasn't wise to look further and take on 2 courses at the same time. I think they just started the course early before everything was finalised and signed off to prevent missing out on the cohort that year and having to wait another year and it failed miserably. I assume now they will have things sorted or at least you'd hope!

I may look into it in future but I haven't recently as my situation has changed and it isn't the right time but I will never say never!

I would maybe ask for costs and if there are any purchases needed during the course to know that you have it in writing what is expected. Good luck and hope it is a successful course and you achieve what you aim to.

Anyone will be in safe hands with Judy Hornigold. Please do contact www.dyscalculianetwork.com if you need any further help