Hello, I’m Katie Nelson, and I’m excited to introduce you to our Level 4 Certificate: Professional Development in Dyslexia Awareness, Comprehensive Screening and Targeted Intervention. The Level 4 qualification was written by me, Katie Nelson, Founder of the Dyslexia Academy. I’m an experienced Level 7 Dyslexia Specialist, SEND School Advisor, former SENDCo, and, most importantly, a proud mum to a wonderful daughter with dyslexia. In my role as a SEND School Advisor, I’ve had the privilege of working with some truly amazing Teaching Assistants, Teachers, and SENDCo's, offering them Specialist Support and Consultancy. Many of them wanted to learn more about how to support children in their classes at a deeper level. But, as many of you know all too well, the demands on Educators’ time can make extra study a challenge, if not an unrealistic expectation. My mission with this certification is to reach and support as many students with dyslexia and literacy difficulties as possible by empowering teachers to feel equipped to do just that. I understand firsthand how precious your time is, so, together with my good friend and fellow highly experienced Dyslexia Specialist, Caroline Hunt, we’ve designed this Level 4 course to be as accessible and manageable as possible. You’ll find bite-sized lessons, video tutorials, and a comprehensive online/printable Study Handbook to track your progress, refer back to key concepts, and look ahead to what’s coming. You’ll even have the flexibility to submit your work in a way that fits your schedule and at a pace that works for you. While this certification stands strong on its own with a total of 12 credits (you can check out the Government Level Descriptors HERE), it can also serve as a stepping stone toward a Level 5 qualification through APEL. Dyslexia Academy will be launching the Level 5 qualification in 2025, pending approval from The British Dyslexia Association. I’ve designed this course with a personable approach and a deep passion for helping as many students with dyslexia as possible, as quickly as possible. Through professional development and training in the Dyslexia Academy Screening Portfolio, alongside a range of readily available intervention programs, this course equips you to support pupils with dyslexia and literacy difficulties. We’ve referenced evidence from Brooks’s Report (2020), What Works for Children with Literacy Difficulties , to ensure that you’re working with interventions that are proven to be effective. This Level 4 Certificate is different from a Level 5 qualification in that the Level 5 focuses on training teachers to plan, deliver, and evaluate a bespoke multi-sensory, structured, and cumulative Literacy Programme whereas this Level 4 Certificate focuses on readily available interventions and programs. The idea is to make sure students get the support they need quickly, addressing key deficits outlined in the Delphi Definition of Dyslexia (2024). With this qualification, Teachers and Tutors can make a real difference in a timely manner, achieve Dyslexia Academy Approved Practitioner Status, and advance their careers, all while keeping the door open to Level 5 Accreditation if they choose to pursue it. I’m so looking forward to seeing how this course will benefit not only the students you support but also your own professional journey!
Course Author & Leader Founder of the Dyslexia & Dyscalculia Academy Katie
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