Sarah Hunt
- Northwich, Cheshire West and Chester
- Member since Feb 2026
- 07775677297
- [email protected]
Services: Dyscalculia Assessment at person’s homeDyscalculia Maths Training
Ages: 9 to 14PrimarySecondary
CRB - EnhancedwithBarred
20251114
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’m a qualified specialist teacher and assessor with postgraduate training in dyscalculia and dyslexia. I work with primary and secondary-aged pupils who are experiencing ongoing difficulties with maths, particularly where they have lost confidence in their ability or have anxiety around learning.
My fascination with how and why people learn the way they do motivated me to train as an assessor. My focus is always on helping the child and their family better understand their learning style and how they can make the most of their strengths to achieve their goals.
I have extensive experience working with children who have a wide range of additional needs, including attention difficulties, anxiety, sensory differences, speech and language needs, and social communication differences. Assessments are always adapted to the individual child. This might include adjusting the pace, building in extra breaks, using a more flexible approach, or taking additional time to help a child feel comfortable and confident.
A full assessment takes place in a supportive, relaxed environment at the learner’s home or school. I offer assessments for maths and literacy learning difficulties, either separately or as part of the same assessment. For maths, I use a range of standardised assessments to explore number understanding, mathematical processing and related cognitive skills. Just as importantly, I take time to talk to the learner and observe how they approach tasks, including their strategies, their confidence levels and where frustration or confusion appears.
Following the assessment, you’ll receive a detailed written report. This explains strengths and areas of difficulty in clear language, alongside practical recommendations that can be shared with school. I also offer a follow-up meeting to discuss the findings and recommendations.
If you are considering an assessment and would like to talk through whether it feels appropriate, you are very welcome to get in touch. Unfortunately I currently have no space for new tutoring clients.
Teaching Qualification 13years experience
13 years of teaching experience
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.
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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
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.
