Jane James
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
- Member since Feb 2026
Services: Dyscalculia Assessment at person’s homeDyscalculia Assessment at the assessor’s address or an agreed locationDyscalculia Maths TrainingSpecialist maths tutor at tutor’s address or an agreed location
Ages: 9 to 14AdultPrimarySecondary
CRB - EnhancedwithBarred
20201015
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.
About
I am a specialist tutor and assessor for Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) in mathematics, including dyscalculia, with over 18 years’ experience working across primary and secondary education, as well as with adult learners. Alongside supporting learners directly, I also work closely with parents, helping them build confidence in their ability to support their children and to understand how maths is taught in schools today. I am deeply committed to helping individuals make sense of the challenges they may experience in education, the workplace and everyday life, and to equipping them with practical, personalised strategies to move forward with confidence.
My work is grounded in a highly person-centred approach. Whether I am providing specialist tuition or conducting a diagnostic assessment, I take time to develop a thorough understanding of each individual’s unique profile of strengths and needs. This ensures that the support, advice and recommendations I offer are carefully tailored, meaningful and focused on long-term impact — reflecting the whole person, not just assessment outcomes.
I hold a Graduate Diploma in Mathematics Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in SpLD (Dyscalculia). I am an Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA Dyscalculia) and hold an Assessor Practising Certificate (APC) with Patoss.
I offer a comprehensive range of services, including:
• Dyscalculia screenings
• Full diagnostic assessments
• Assessments of need (gap analysis)
• Specialist one-to-one tuition in maths and dyscalculia
My aim is always to empower individuals and the families who support them with greater understanding, effective strategies and renewed confidence in their mathematical abilities.
Level 3 or equivalent SpLD qualification
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)
Level 7 or equivalent SpLD qualification
This is the highest UK training level for specialising in dyscalculia — it’s equivalent to Master’s degree level on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
It’s designed for experienced educators who want to become fully qualified dyscalculia specialists and, crucially, diagnostic assessors.
Key Features
Level
- RQF Level 7 = Master’s level study (postgraduate standard).
- Usually taken by qualified teachers, SENCOs, or Level 5-trained specialist teachers who want to move into assessment and formal reporting.
What It Covers
- In-depth Theoretical Knowledge
- Neurological and cognitive research on dyscalculia
- Links between dyscalculia, dyslexia, and other SpLD
- Developmental number sense and conceptual understanding
- Formal Assessment Skills
- Training in the use of standardised, psychometric tests
- Administration, scoring, and interpretation of diagnostic assessments
- Producing legally robust assessment reports in line with JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) regulations
- Specialist Teaching Practice
- Designing and delivering high-impact interventions
- Using evidence-based multi-sensory approaches
- Working in one-to-one and group contexts
- Professional & Ethical Practice
- SEND Code of Practice
- Equality Act compliance
- Confidentiality and data protection in assessment
What It qualifies you to do
- Formally diagnose dyscalculia and write assessment reports for exam access arrangements and statutory support
- Work as a Specialist Teacher and Assessor in schools, colleges, or private practice
- Train and mentor other teachers in dyscalculia support strategies
- Deliver high-level specialist interventions backed by assessment evidence
Typical Entry Requirements
- QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) or equivalent recognised teaching qualification
- Significant classroom experience
- Often a Level 5 SpLD/Dyscalculia qualification first, though some providers allow direct entry with strong experience
- Degree-level education (often a requirement for Level 7 study)
Examples of Level 7 Dyscalculia Qualifications
- Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Dyscalculia and Maths Learning Difficulties (Real Training)
- Level 7 Diploma in Assessing and Teaching Learners with Dyscalculia (Dyscalculia Association)
- Master’s modules in Dyscalculia (e.g., University of Chester, University of Derby, University of Cumbria or Edge Hill University).)
APC qualification
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
Disclaimer: The Dyscalculia Network takes the utmost care to check that the assessors and tutors who are listed on the website hold the actual qualifications that are included on their individual profile page. The copies of certificates and references are kept on record by The Dyscalculia Network but will not be displayed on their profile page.
