Application Form
Please fill in the information below. When you tick the boxes please then complete the additional information required.
Once this form has been submitted it will then be reviewed before your profile is be listed on the site.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENT:
- You need to check all of these qualification boxes HERE that you have achieved please. (e.g, Qualified Teacher Status or level 5 etc)
- This will open up a box so that you can add the details for this specific qualification and you will then need to upload copies of your certificate to corroborate this.
- The uploaded files will be stored automatically on a secure web file so that The Dyscalculia Network can verify your details and welcome you to our community.
File Types Accepted: .png, .jpeg, .doc, .docx, .ppt, .pdf
Please Note: .Zip Files and .Tif Files are not accepted. And Individual Files Must Not Exceed 5 MB
Whats Required?
In England, it’s the professional accreditation you need to teach in most state-maintained primary, secondary, and special schools. QTS demonstrates that you’ve met the required teaching standards set by the Department for Education (DfE), including:
- Subject knowledge
- Effective planning and teaching skills
- Classroom management
- Ability to assess and track pupil progress
- Professional and ethical conduct
You typically gain QTS by completing an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme—such as a PGCE, School Direct, or Teach First route—and passing assessments of your teaching practice. Once awarded, QTS is recorded with the Teaching Regulation Agency.
Without QTS, you can still teach in certain settings—like private schools, free schools, academies, and some unqualified teacher roles—but QTS gives you full recognition and access to standard pay scales in the maintained sector.
#BBD0E0 »
Whats Required?
A Level 3 SpLD qualification is a training course focused on Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) — such as dyslexia, dyspraxia (DCD), dyscalculia, and ADHD — at an intermediate level on the UK’s qualification framework.
Key points about a Level 3 SpLD qualification:
- Level 3 means it’s roughly equivalent to an A-level standard of study in terms of difficulty.
- It’s designed for people who work with children or adults with SpLD, such as teaching assistants, learning support staff, tutors, or early-career teachers.
- The course usually covers:
- Understanding different types of SpLD and how they affect learning
- Identifying early signs of learning difficulties
- Strategies for supporting learners in the classroom or workplace
- Adapting materials and teaching methods
- Inclusive practice and legal responsibilities (e.g., Equality Act 2010, SEND Code of Practice)
- It is not a specialist assessor qualification — you won’t be able to formally diagnose or conduct statutory assessments with Level 3, but it gives you strong practical skills for day-to-day support.
Typical examples of Level 3 SpLD qualifications:
- Level 3 Award in Supporting Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties
- Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Learners with Dyslexia and Other SpLD
- Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (with SpLD modules)
Whats Required?
A Level 5 Dyscalculia qualification is an advanced training programme that equips you to specialise in supporting learners with dyscalculia and, often, broader maths learning difficulties.
Here’s what it typically means:
Qualification Level
- Level 5 is roughly equivalent to the second year of an undergraduate degree or a foundation degree on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
- It’s aimed at experienced teachers, SENCOs, learning support staff, or educational professionals who already have strong teaching foundations (often at Level 3 or above).
Content Focus
A Level 5 Dyscalculia course usually covers:
- Understanding Dyscalculia & Maths Difficulties
- Neurological and cognitive aspects of dyscalculia
- Distinction between dyscalculia, dyslexia, and general numeracy challenges
- Developmental stages of mathematical learning
- Assessment & Screening
- Use of informal and standardised screening tools
- Identifying strengths and weaknesses in mathematical understanding
- Analysing learner profiles to inform teaching
- Intervention Strategies
- Multi-sensory maths teaching methods
- Visual and concrete learning approaches
- Lesson adaptations for different age groups
- Practical Application
- Planning and delivering targeted interventions
- Monitoring progress and adjusting strategies
- Working with parents, schools, and other professionals
What It Qualifies You To Do
- Provide specialist support for learners with dyscalculia
- Deliver targeted interventions in schools or private practice
- Train colleagues in dyscalculia awareness and strategies
Important: A Level 5 qualification does not qualify you to make a formal diagnosis of dyscalculia.
Examples of Level 5 Dyscalculia Qualifications
- Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Learners with Dyscalculia & Maths Learning Difficulties (e.g., Dyscalculia Association, Real Training)
- Level 5 Certificate in Dyscalculia and Numeracy
- Level 5 Specialist Teacher Award – Dyscalculia
Whats Required?
A Level 5 Dyscalculia qualification is an advanced training programme that equips you to specialise in supporting learners with dyscalculia and, often, broader maths learning difficulties.
Here’s what it typically means:
Qualification Level
- Level 5 is roughly equivalent to the second year of an undergraduate degree or a foundation degree on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
- It’s aimed at experienced teachers, SENCOs, learning support staff, or educational professionals who already have strong teaching foundations (often at Level 3 or above).
Content Focus
A Level 5 Dyscalculia course usually covers:
- Understanding Dyscalculia & Maths Difficulties
- Neurological and cognitive aspects of dyscalculia
- Distinction between dyscalculia, dyslexia, and general numeracy challenges
- Developmental stages of mathematical learning
- Assessment & Screening
- Use of informal and standardised screening tools
- Identifying strengths and weaknesses in mathematical understanding
- Analysing learner profiles to inform teaching
- Intervention Strategies
- Multi-sensory maths teaching methods
- Visual and concrete learning approaches
- Lesson adaptations for different age groups
- Practical Application
- Planning and delivering targeted interventions
- Monitoring progress and adjusting strategies
- Working with parents, schools, and other professionals
What It Qualifies You To Do
- Provide specialist support for learners with dyscalculia
- Deliver targeted interventions in schools or private practice
- Train colleagues in dyscalculia awareness and strategies
Important: A Level 5 qualification does not qualify you to make a formal diagnosis of dyscalculia.
Examples of Level 5 Dyscalculia Qualifications
- Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Learners with Dyscalculia & Maths Learning Difficulties (e.g., Dyscalculia Association, Real Training)
- Level 5 Certificate in Dyscalculia and Numeracy
- Level 5 Specialist Teacher Award – Dyscalculia
Whats Required?
They are both linked to professional recognition for specialists in the field of Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) — in this case, dyscalculia.
APEL – Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning
- What it means: A process where your existing qualifications, work experience, and training are assessed to see if they meet the requirements for a formal qualification or professional status.
- Purpose in SpLD: If you’ve been working extensively in dyscalculia support or assessment but don’t have all the official courses, you may use APEL to gain access to, or be exempt from parts of, a qualification route.
- Example: An experienced maths SENCO with many years’ intervention work might use APEL to go straight to a Level 7 assessor training course without completing Level 5 first.
AMBDA – Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association
- General AMBDA: Awarded to specialist SpLD teachers/assessors who have completed a recognised Level 7 qualification in teaching and assessing learners with dyslexia and/or dyscalculia.
- AMBDA (Dyscalculia): A specific pathway that recognises Level 7-trained professionals who:
- Have completed an approved dyscalculia-specific assessor qualification
- Can carry out diagnostic assessments for dyscalculia
- Can produce JCQ-compliant reports for access arrangements
- Are recognised by the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) as meeting their standards of practice
- Benefits:
- National recognition of your specialist assessor status
- Credibility for private practice and school consultancy
- Access to professional networks and CPD through the BDA
In practice:
- APEL is how you get onto or gain credit towards a qualification route based on your experience.
- AMBDA (Dyscalculia) is the professional recognition you can apply for after completing an approved Level 7 dyscalculia assessor qualification.
Whats Required?
The Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) is a professional certification that permits you to carry out and sign off diagnostic assessments for Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs), including dyslexia and dyscalculia, particularly for access arrangements (e.g., exam accommodations) and funding (e.g., Disabled Students’ Allowance – DSA).
Note: Not all Level 7 qualifications automatically grant the right to assess independently for official purposes. The APC confirms your eligibility.
Conditions Needed for Holding an APC (Dyscalculia)
To be awarded and maintain an APC, you typically must meet the following criteria:
- Level 7 Qualification in SpLD Assessment & Reporting
- You must hold a Level 7 postgraduate qualification in SpLD diagnostic assessment, with a strong focus on dyslexia and/or dyscalculia.
- This should include training in:
- Psychometric testing
- Cognitive profiling
- Report writing for formal diagnoses
- Specialist Teacher Status / Registration
You should also have one or more of the following:
- Membership with a professional body, e.g.:
- PATOSS
- BDA (British Dyslexia Association)
- ADSHE
- The Dyslexia Guild
- Current Professional Practice
- You must be actively assessing learners for SpLDs.
- You need to demonstrate recent and relevant practice (usually within the last 2 years).
- You must submit examples of your reports as part of your application or renewal.
- Knowledge of Legal and Ethical Standards
- Must demonstrate understanding of:
- JCQ Guidelines (for access arrangements)
- SASC report-writing standards
- Equality Act 2010
- Ethical practice in assessment and confidentiality
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- You need to show regular CPD, typically:
- 30+ hours over 3 years
- At least some CPD related specifically to dyscalculia, if that’s your focus
- Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Required if you’re operating independently or in private practice
- An APC is valid for 3 years and renewal requires:
- Evidence of recent assessment work
- Submission of updated reports
- CPD record
- Continued adherence to SASC standards
Whats Required?
A CBD check typically refers to a Criminal Background Disclosure (or Criminal Background Check), which is a process used to verify if an individual has any criminal convictions or records. This is commonly required for jobs or roles involving work with vulnerable groups, such as children or people with disabilities.
What a CBD Check Usually Involves:
- Checking police records for any criminal convictions, cautions, or warnings.
- Verifying if someone is on a barred list (e.g., barred from working with children or vulnerable adults).
- Sometimes includes identity verification and checks across different jurisdictions.
- The checking is carried out once per year.
Why It Matters:
- Ensures the safety and protection of vulnerable people.
- Required by employers before hiring for sensitive positions, like teachers, healthcare workers, or social workers.
- Helps maintain trust and legal compliance within organisations.