Penny Sutherland
- Derby, Leicestershire
- Member since Mar 2026
- 07958348366
- [email protected]
Services: Dyscalculia Assessment at the assessor’s address or an agreed locationSpecialist maths tutor at person’s home
Ages: 9 to 14Primary
CRB - EnhancedwithBarred
20260305
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
Hello, I’m Penny and I run The Education Pitstop in Kegworth – a little village in the East Midlands which is on the border of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. I am passionate about working with students who find education a bit trickier than might be expected.
I am a specialist dyscalculia teacher and have recently qualified as an assessor for dyscalculia and maths difficulties too (I am also a dyslexia teacher and assessor).
I teach and assess students in my purpose-built garden office in Kegworth. It’s an ideal educational workspace, where students feel relaxed, comfortable and safe, allowing them to understand key concepts, build on their existing skills and develop strategies to support them in their lives.
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 »
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 5 or equivalent SpLD qualification
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
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
Client Reference
Client Reference
Client Reference
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.
