Tameside Certificate In SpLD
Developing Schools' Capacities to Include Pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia)
"The quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers is an obvious truth, which applies to the assessment and teaching of learners of any age who are dyslexic. In other words, success depends first and foremost on teachers who know what they are doing and why they are doing it".
(The Rose Report on Identifying and Teaching Children and Young People with Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties June 2009)
Jim Rose's report goes on to identify 3 levels of expertise needed in the teaching workforce in order to successfully include pupils with SpLD/ Dyslexia. They are summarised in the model below.
In Tameside we are aiming to ensure that all teaching staff in schools have a foundation knowledge of SpLD dyslexia through the promotion of the DCSF Inclusion Development Programme online training (corresponding to the 'Core Skills level in the diagram above).
In addition we aim to ensure that each school has at least one member of staff with more advanced knowledge and expertise in supporting these children (corresponding to the Advanced Skills level in the diagram). To achieve this the EPALS team have developed a Certificate in SpLD course.
This course has just completed a successful first year and we will be running it again this year aiming to extend the number of Tameside schools able to provide an advanced level of expertise in SpLD/Dyslexia.
We have attached a copy of the Certificate in SpLD course outline, which will run over the course of the next academic year.
There will be a limited number of places on the 2009/2010 course so it is important that school register and interest as early as possible.
If you have any further queries please contact the training course coordinators Dominic Griffiths and Amanda Edwards.
- Dominic's contacts : (0161) 342 3622
dominic.griffiths@tameside.gov.uk - Amanda's contacts: (0161) 342 3623
amanda.edwards@tameside.gov.uk
Course Outline
Course Aims
This modular certificate course aims to develop teachers and teaching assistants' confidence and skills in teaching pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties. Emphasis will be put on the practical skills of assessment, teaching and monitoring pupils' progress, though reference will be made to the theoretical aspects of SpLD as they touch upon the rational of the teaching methods and appropriate resources.
As well as offering a firm grounding in the practicalities of planning and teaching individualised programmes of literacy support, the course will develop participants' knowledge and skills in relation to the wider curricular access needs of students with SpLD and how to meet them.
The course will be delivered by the Learning Support Advisory Teachers belonging to Tameside Education Psychology and Learning Support team (EPALS), all of whom are qualified specialist teachers for SpLD.
The course co-ordinators are Dominic Griffiths and Amanda Edwards, who will also be responsible for the tutorial aspects of the course.
Course Outline
Attendance at ALL modules and completion of tasks is compulsory for certification)
| Module | Task |
|---|---|
| SpLD 1: Delivering Structured Programmes 1 05/11/09 Dukinfield Town Hall 9:30-12:30 | Find out what teaching resources your school has for teaching SpLD. Write critical review. |
| SpLD 2: Delivering Structured Programmes 2 26/11/09 Dukinfield Town Hall 9:30-12:30 | Try a spelling method that you have not tried before with a pupil. Write a critical review of its ease of use and the pupil's response. |
| SpLD 3: Delivering Structured Programmes 3 03/12/09 Dukinfield Town Hall 9:30-12:30 | Review the reading resources available for pupils with SpLD in your school. |
| SpLD 4a: Study Skills & Examination Arrangements (Secondary) 04/02/10 Dukinfield Town Hall 9:30-12:30 | Write an account of how you would support an SpLD student in planning an essay on capital punishment. |
| SpLD 4b: Early identification and intervention (Primary) 03/02/10 Dukinfield Town Hall 9:30-12:30 | Suggest a programme of intervention for a specimen pupil. |
| SpLD 5: Education Psychology & SpLD 04/03/10 Dukinfield Town Hall 9:30-12:30 | TBC |
| SpLD 6: Maths and SpLD 06/05/10 Dukinfield Town Hall 9:30-12:30 | Audit the Maths resources in your classroom that would be dyslexia friendly and how and where they could be used. |
| SpLD 7: The Dyslexia-friendly classroom (Primary / Secondary) 17/06/10 Dukinfield Town Hall 9:30-12:30 | Suggest how to support a pupil with SpLD in a specimen lesson. |
The Building of a Reflective Journal
All task write-ups will form part of a Reflective Journal, which will form a critically reflective review of practice including a SWOT analysis as part of its Introduction plus a reflective Summary. (5,000 words approx)
Tutorial Support
For those who sign up to the award-bearing Cert SpLD course there will be offered in addition:
- An introductory briefing unpacking the course outline and its assessment diet date. TBA
- An individual tutorial to be arranged at a mutually convenient time between the participant and one of the course co-ordinators at the participant's school or setting.