OCR Level 7 Diploma/Certificate in Assessing and Teaching Students with SpLD( Dyslexia)

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Introduction

The OCR Level 7 Certificate and Diploma for Assessing and Teaching Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) have been developed to recognise candidates’ skills, knowledge and understanding as specialist teachers and their ability to carry out diagnostic assessments, write reports and deliver effective teaching sessions to learners with dyslexia and other learning difficulties affecting literacy and numeracy.
The qualifications aim to develop candidates’ skills and knowledge and to recognise their achievements in a practical way that is relevant to the work context.
These qualifications have been accepted by the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Authority (QCDA) for inclusion in the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Entry Criteria

The Level 7 qualifications are designed primarily to provide a route for continued professional development for teachers/trainers with responsibility for learners with specific learning difficulties. This qualification would be appropriate for teachers/trainers with responsibility for SpLD across a whole age phase/centre and who are involved in advising and supporting classroom teachers.
The target group is likely to include:
• Specialist and Advisory teachers
• SENCOs/Learning Support tutors and managers
• Speech and Language therapists and other professionals working in an educational setting.
All candidates will be required to attend an interview, and complete a diagnostic test.

Course Content

OCR Level 7 Certificate for Assessing and Teaching Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia)
To achieve this qualification, candidates must achieve all five units:
Unit 1: Psychometric and educational assessment methods
Unit 2: Diagnostic assessment of learners
Unit 3: Communication and liaison with others
Unit 4: Reporting special educational and assessment needs
Unit 5: Teaching learners with dyslexia and reflective practice

OCR Level 7 Diploma for Assessing and Teaching Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia)
To achieve this qualification, candidates must achieve all seven units:
Certificate Units 1-5 as above, plus
Unit 6: Key theoretical concepts for teaching learners with dyslexia.
Unit 7: Assessing and teaching in the context of specific learning difficulties

Teaching Practice

For the certificate, all candidates are required to deliver learning support for a minimum of 18 hours. These 18 hours are divided between two learners, one learner with literacy difficulties and one learner with literacy and numeracy difficulties.
The learners must be within one phase of education (primary, secondary or post 16) but from two different key stages or FE levels/HE levels.
Candidates who have achieved the OCR level 5 Certificate In Teaching Learners with SpLD( Dyslexia), since 2005, may be exempt from unit 5.
For the diploma candidates will be required to teach a learner with a different SpLD or from a different phase of education, to the learner taught in unit 5.
Candidates will be required to arrange their own teaching practice.

Course Location

Location and timings
dittas evening courses are held at Ravensbourne Business Centre, Keston, Kent.
Ravensbourne Business Centre has plenty of parking and is close to Orpington, Hayes and Bromley South Railway stations.
Details on location and directions to Ravensbourne Business Centre can be found at http://www.ravensbourne.biz/directions.html

Start Dates

• Candidates who do not already hold the OCR Level 5 Certificate in Teaching Learners with SpLD (Dyslexia) will be required to enrol on the OCR level 5 Certificate in February 2010. The delivery during the first two terms will focus on Teaching Learners with Dyslexia and the completion of unit 5. Candidates will then start units 1-4 of the diploma in September 2010, completing by July 2011.
• Candidates who already hold the OCR Level 5 Certificate in Teaching Learners with SpLD will start the OCR L7 certificate course in September 2010. The certificate course will be completed by July 2011.
• Candidates who wish to continue and complete the diploma course will be required to complete the diploma (units 6 and 7) by April 2012. Weekly attendance is not required for the diploma, which is taught as blended learning.

Progression

On successful completion of the OCR Level 7 Diploma in Teaching Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties candidates may apply for AMBDA status with the BDA. For further information see: http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/quality-mark-and-accreditation.html

Funding/ fee

If you are a qualified teacher, working within a state school you may be eligible for government funding. Places for Teaching Assistants, FE teachers, Teachers in Independent Schools and other interested professionals are not funded. For full fee places the L7 Certificate costs £2700 and the L7 Diploma is £3250.
Candidates will be required to purchase set course texts costing approximately £90.

For further information

Further information
For further information/application form contact Sarah Beard, Course Director, dittas, 01689856917/ 07944 172813 or email: dittas_spldcourses@yahoo.co.uk