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Level 4 Certificate: Professional Development in Dyslexia Awareness, Comprehensive Screening and Targeted Intervention

Katie Nelson

Dyslexia & Dyscalculia Founder
Dyslexia & Dyscalculia Specialist 
Co-Course Author

Caroline Hunt

Dyslexia Specialist Teacher & Assessor
Co-Course Author

Dr Helen Ross

Dyslexia & Dyscalculia  Specialist 
Contributing Course Associate Specialist 

Louise Selby

Dyslexia Specialist 
Author of Morph Mastery 
Contributing Course Associate Specialist
Level 4 Certificate: Professional Development in Dyslexia Awareness, Comprehensive Screening and Targeted Intervention, leading to Dyslexia Academy Approved Practitioner Status.

What's Included?

  • 3 Modules
  • Self Paced Learning
  • OCN Level 4 Qualification
  • Upon Course Completion Opportunity to apply for Dyslexia Academy Approved Practitioner Status
  • 12 Credits 
  • Manageable Stepping stone towards Level 5 if required
  • Career Advancement 


* Klarna- Pay in 3/ Pay Later

* Payment Plan- £295 Upfront to secure your place & 4 x payments of £372.50

Personable Approach to online learning

Any questions email: courseenquiries@dyslexia-academy.co.uk 

 
Meet Course Author Katie Nelson

Katie Nelson

I’m Katie Nelson, and I’m excited to introduce you to our Dyslexia Academy course!

This course is different because it’s been created by people who deeply understand the
challenges and rewards of working with dyslexic learners—not just as dyslexia specialist educators but as parents too. We’ve pooled our experience as classroom teachers, SEND
advisors, specialist teachers, and assessors to bring you a course that is practical, flexible, and genuinely supportive.

We know that your time is precious, so we’ve made this Level 4 course as accessible and manageable as possible. You’ll find bite-sized lessons, video tutorials, and a comprehensive
online/printable Study Handbook to help you track your progress, refer back to key concepts, and look ahead at what's coming up.

You’ll even have the flexibility to submit your work in a way that suits your schedule and at a pace that works for you. It is designed to enable you to start to make an impact now on the lives of those wonderful students that you work with, whilst providing Practitioners with career advancement opportunities that recognise their progression through achieving Dyslexia Academy Approved Practitioner Status. And, whilst this is a standalone Level 4 Qualification in it's own right, it was important to me that it could be used as a manageable and enjoyable stepping stone in the future, if desired, towards further study at level 5 and 7, which is why a level 5 Course is currently in development and students will be able to fast track via APEL onto the level 5 course which will be pending Approval from the relevant Dyslexia Associations. 

If you have any questions at all please don't hesitate to reach out! You can check out the frequently asked questions below. 

With Very Kindest Wishes,

Katie 
Patrick Jones - Course author

Why take this Level 4 Accredited Certificate?


Delegates completing this certificate will gain a level 4 recognised qualification Open College Network in Professional Development in Dyslexia Awareness, Comprehensive Screening and Targeted Intervention. Upon course completion successful candidates can apply for Dyslexia Academy Approved Practitioner Status and will be listed on our directory and supported and overseen by our Level 7 Specialist Team. Successful candidates can use this as a stepping stone towards Level 5 career professional development in the future. Delegates completing this Certificate will gain the skills and knowledge to:

Module 1
1. Identify the key features of dyslexia and understand how dyslexia impacts on learning.
2. Explore causal models and cognitive theories relating to dyslexia.
3. Understand how co-occuring difficulties impact upon students with dyslexia.
4. Understand that dyslexia can have repercussions for emotional wellbeing. 5. 5.1 Understand where to find current policies and curriculum information relating to dyslexia.
5.2 Summarise a list of helpful policies to support you in your role.


Module 2
1. Explore what dyslexia screening is and understand its purpose.
2. Demonstrate the ability to effectively select an appropriate learner for the screening process, while recognising the critical importance of obtaining parental consent and the necessity of thorough preparation prior to screening.
3. Examine and evaluate screening tools for dyslexia.
4. 4.1 Demonstrate the ability to develop Competency and Confidence in using the Dyslexia Academy Screening Portfolio to screen students for difficulties with reading, spelling, phonological processing, working memory, processing speed and orthographic skills.
4.2 Create a screening portfolio for a specific learner and write a screening report to explain and summarise your findings.

Module 3
1. Identify the features of quality first dyslexia friendly teaching strategies to support teaching memory, sequencing, organisation reading, spelling writing, maths and well-being.
2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the challenges dyslexic learners may face with systematic synthetic phonics, evaluate the theoretical foundations of effective interventions, and critically analyse the criteria for selecting appropriate interventions.
3. 1  Explore why and how Assistive Technology enhances learning by accommodating the unique needs of dyslexic students. 3.2  Identify and review various types of Assistive Technology, that support reading, writing, and study skills for students with dyslexia.
4. Demonstrate the ability to effectively prepare for, implement, and evaluate a 10 hour intervention programme by creating detailed lesson plans, conducting thorough evaluations and summarising learner progress.

What is the difference between a Level 4 Dyslexia Qualification and a Level 5 Qualification?

The Level 4 qualification was written by Katie Nelson, Founder of the Dyslexia Academy, an experienced Level 7 Dyslexia Specialist, SEND School Advisor, Previous SENDCo and Mum to a fabulous daughter with dyslexia.

In her role as a SEND School Advisor, Katie was lucky enough to work with some amazing Teaching Assistants, Teachers and SENDCo's offering Specialist Support and Consultancy. Many of the staff, wanted to learn more about how to support children in their classes at a deeper level; however, as many of you I am sure can appreciate, Educator's time and pressure in their job role can mean that extra study can be somewhat of a challenge and an unrealistic expectation. 

Katie's mission is  to reach and support as many students with dyslexia & Literacy difficulties as possible by empowering teachers to feel well equipped to do so, with this Level 4 Dyslexia Practitioner Certification. Katie understands first hand that your time is precious, so together with Fellow highly experienced Dyslexia Specialist and friend Caroline Hunt, they've made this Level 4 course as accessible and manageable as possible. You’ll find bite-sized lessons, video tutorials, and a comprehensive online/printable Study Handbook to help you track your progress, refer back to key concepts, and look ahead at what's coming up. You’ll even have the flexibility to submit your work in a way that suits your schedule and at a pace that works for you. Whilst it is a standalone Certification in it's own right with a credit total of 12 credits (you can see the Government Level Descriptors HERE)  it will be able to be used as a transferable stepping stone towards a level 5 qualification via APEL with Dyslexia Academy launching their Level 5 qualification in 2025 which will be pending approval from The British Dyslexia Association. 

The course is designed with a personable approach and a genuine passion to reach as many students with dyslexia as possible, as quickly as possible, through professional development, training in the Dyslexia Academy Screening Portfolio and training in a range of readily available intervention programmes to support pupils with dyslexia & literacy difficulties (with reference to any information about evidence based effectiveness in Brooks’s Report (2020) 'What Works for Children with Literacy Difficulties'.)

This Level 4 Certificate is different to a Level 5 qualification in where Teachers train to plan, deliver and evaluate a bespoke multi-sensory, structured and cumulative Literacy Programme. Whilst this is an amazingly prestigious and important skill in supporting pupils with dyslexia, Katie wanted to offer accessible, personable and professional training which focuses on training in a range of readily available Interventions and Programmes, with the rationale being for students to get the support that they need in a timely manner with interventions that cover the key deficits as described in the Delphi Definition of Dyslexia (2024). This means that Teachers/Tutors can make a difference in a timely manner to their students lives whilst still having the option to if desired use this as a professional career development stepping stone towards Level 5 Accreditation. 



Are you eligible?

To be eligible for this qualification it is a requirement you are an Educational Professional and that you have prior learning at level 3  ONE of the following or equivalent qualifications:
Teaching & Learning Support Assistant
Study Skills Tutor
Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Qualified Teacher Status
SENDCo- National SENDCo Award

**** PLEASE NOTE, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ONE OF THESE QUALIFICATIONS AND WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COURSE, PLEASE DO REACH OUT VIA EMAIL AT INFO@DYSLEXIA-ACADEMY.CO.UK TO DISCUSS CAREER ADVANCEMENT OPTIONS****

Demands of the course

The course is divided into three modules, with each module released gradually each week. There are no 'live' one-on-one tutorials or scheduled online meetings, so you are not required to be online at specific times. In Module 2 and 3 for screening and intervention purposes, participants must identify one student who primarily struggles with literacy and is not currently receiving any other form of specialist support. If you work in a school, this should be done within the school setting. If you are an independent tutor, this can take place in a home setting, provided the necessary permissions are obtained, but it must not involve your own child.

Who delivers the course? What are their credentials?

The course is on demand and was written and delivered by Katie Nelson and Caroline Hunt with contributing dyslexia specialists Dr Helen Ross and Louise Selby. The specialist team hold a wealth of Dyslexia Specialist experience and hold Level 7 Dyslexia Specialist qualifications and Practising Certificates. You can find out more about our amazing specialist team below.

Caroline Hunt

Dr Helen Ross

Louise Selby

Katie nelson

Katie Nelson is a distinguished expert in dyslexia and specific learning difficulties, with a long-standing commitment to improving educational outcomes for both children and adults. As the founder of the Dyslexia & Dyscalculia  Academy, Dyslexia Centre North West, and ESENDI SEND Services for Schools,

 Katie leverages over 20 years of experience to provide specialised diagnostic assessments, interventions, and training programmes that are tailored to meet the unique needs of each learner.

Katie holds a prestigious Level 7 qualifications in teaching and assessing learners with specific learning difficulties, Dyslexia & Dyscalculia alongside a current Dyslexia Practising Certificate. This certification underscores her continued dedication to maintaining the highest standards in the field. Her expertise is enriched by her personal experience as a parent of a neurodiverse child, which brings a deep sense of empathy and understanding to her work.
Her approach emphasizes early identification and intervention, aiming to make a profound difference in the lives of those she works with.
Caroline Hunt

Caroline is a seasoned educator with over three decades of experience, holding a Qualified Teacher Status (KS1) since 1992. She further honed her expertise with a Postgraduate Diploma in Dyslexia and Literacy from Dyslexia Action and York University in 2012.

Caroline is also accredited with current Assessment Practising Certificates from Patoss, maintained since 2012.

Caroline has been instrumental in delivering and overseeing 1:1 interventions and support for students in local primary schools. Her work extends beyond the classroom, providing after-school tutoring and conducting assessments for access arrangements for SATs, GCSEs, and A-levels.

Currently, Caroline's focus is on diagnostic dyslexia assessments and consultancy, where she brings her extensive knowledge and passion to support individuals in unlocking their full potential.

Outside of her professional life, Caroline enjoys a vibrant family life, married with two adult children, and a small, beloved dog.
Dr Helen Ross

Helen is a trustee of the British Dyslexia Association and is Chair of the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association. She has consulted for the British Dyslexia Association, The Committee for Science and Technology, and Wiltshire Local Authority.

 She also works internationally with various third sector and commercial organisations with evaluation, consultancy and resource development.

Helen’s research explores stakeholder experiences of SEND provision within the mainstream education sector, focussing on the empowerment of those supporting young people, to help them to take ownership of their own learning. Her research uses methods grounded within Bourdieu’s sociological project to explore barriers to participation in learning and engagement with institutions.
Louise Selby

Louise is a highly experienced dyslexia specialist teacher and assessor, bringing over 25 years of expertise in education.

Her diverse background includes roles as a teacher, SENCO, and specialist advisor within schools, as well as extensive experience in assessing individuals for specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia. Louise holds an OCR Level 7 Diploma in Teaching and Assessing Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties, along with a current Assessors’ Practising Certificate.

Beyond her professional qualifications, she is also a dedicated parent who has actively engaged with children and families in the community, bringing a personal touch to her work.

Will I need a DBS?

An Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is mandatory for working with children and young people.  If you are an independent tutor, you must ensure that you possess your own Enhanced Disclosure. We reserve the right to request your DBS information. For assistance with applying for an Enhanced DBS, please email: info@dyslexia-academy.co.uk.

How will I be assessed?

The assessment strategy for this programme encompasses both theoretical and predominantly practical components, aiming to develop practical skills in comprehensive screening and accessible targeted interventions. A variety of assessment tools are utilised, including exercises and discussions on the Dyslexia Academy Course forum, practical screening and targeted intervention assignments, quizzes and self-assessments, as well as lesson planning and evaluations.

What career progression opportunities will be available to me?

The Dyslexia Academy Level 4 Certificate: Professional Development in Dyslexia Awareness, Comprehensive Screening and Targeted Interventions opens a wealth of career advancement opportunities. You may currently be working in school and wish to elevate your specialist knowledge in the field of dyslexia, or you may be an independent tutor who wishes to demonstrate their professional and specialist knowledge in order to apply for Dyslexia Academy Approved Practitioner Status, which also provides ongoing Specialist Support from our Level 7 Specialist team. You may want to be listed as a Level 4 Dyslexia Academy Specialist Practitioner on our directory so that parents looking for specialist practitioner support can find the help that they need. There are additional routes planned for 2025 for a level 5 Specialist Teacher qualification which (pending approval) would enable participants to apply for Approved Teacher Status or Approved Practitioner Status with the British Dyslexia Association. 

Will I be able to diagnose dyslexia?


The Dyslexia Academy Level 4 Certificate in Professional Development: Dyslexia Awareness, Comprehensive Screening, and Targeted Interventions equips practitioners with the skills to confidently screen for dyslexia using a variety of tools. While this course does not authorise practitioners to diagnose dyslexia—a task reserved for Level 7 qualified specialists—it provides a strong foundation in dyslexia screening. In addition, this qualification serves as a fast track actionable stepping stone for those wishing to progress to Level 5 and Level 7 qualifications.

This course is designed to empower practitioners to make an immediate and meaningful impact on the lives of their students by using screening data to develop and implement targeted interventions.

What are the start dates and duration?

The online on demand course is estimated to launch in September 2024. Each module is drip fed over 8-10 weeks.  However, this does need to take into account the individualised screening and targeted interventions timeframe which will differ for each person. You do have 18 months from the start date to complete the course. The total level 4 credits awarded for this course is 12, which can be used to contribute towards further study and qualifications. This equates to 120 hours study time which also includes the time taken to prepare for the course, become familiar with the online learning platform, recommended reading, practical tasks, printing/uploading course materials. 

How much does it cost?


Module1: Professional Development in Dyslexia Awareness  £595
Module 2: Comprehensive Screening £595
Module 3: Quality First Teaching and Targeted Intervention £595
 
The full course fee is £1785

There is a payment plan that can be offered to spread the cost. Please do email us for further information at : info@dyslexia-academy.co.uk

Are there any additional costs once I have purchased this course?

At the time of course completion there is a £75 fee for the course certificate.

There is an optional £95 registration fee to apply for and be listed on the Dyslexia-Academy Directory as a Dyslexia Academy Approved Practitioner and to continue to get ongoing Support with a level 7 Specialist. Therefore you will be able to use the Dyslexia Academy Approved Practitioner logo as a testament to showcase your Dyslexia knowledge and to receive ongoing support from the level 7 Dyslexia Specialist Team.

There are optional readily available screeners, intervention and programmes that are covered in the learning of this course: however, it is fully possible to complete the course without the additional materials if you so wish. The Dy

There is a recommended reading list below. This is provided for your reference here; however, please do not feel as though each of these publications need to be purchased prior to the course (unless you want to of course). 

Reid, G., & Guise, J. (2019).
Assessment for Dyslexia and Learning Differences: A Concise Guide for Teachers and Parents.
London: Routledge.
This guide provides a clear and practical approach for educators and parents, focusing on the assessment and support of individuals with dyslexia and other learning differences.

Reid, G. (2016).
Dyslexia: A Complete Guide for Parents and Those Who Help Them (2nd ed.).
London: Wiley.
A comprehensive resource for parents and practitioners, offering insights and strategies to support children with dyslexia at home and in educational settings.

Reid, G. (2017).
Dyslexia: A Practitioner's Handbook (5th ed.).
London: Wiley.
This handbook serves as an essential resource for professionals working with dyslexic individuals, providing evidence-based strategies and interventions.

Elliott, J., & Grigorenko, E. (2024).
The Dyslexia Debate Revisited.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
A critical examination of the conceptualization and diagnosis of dyslexia, exploring contemporary debates and perspectives in the field.

Everatt, J., & Denstonke, A. (2021).
Dyslexia: Theories, Assessment and Support.
London: Sage Publications.
This book presents an overview of the latest theories, assessment techniques, and support strategies for dyslexia, making it a valuable resource for practitioners and researchers.

What are the IT requirements for this course?

Internet Connection: A high-speed internet connection is required. While basic course content can be accessed on phones, tablets, or iPads, doing so may reduce the quality of your learning experience, and certain video or audio content might not be available.

Device: A PC or laptop is recommended for optimal engagement with the course.

Email Account: The email address you use to register for Dyslexia Academy courses must match the name under which you are enrolled. This ensures accurate tracking of your progress and facilitates the use of professionally appropriate emails during practical modules that involve communication with learners' parents and schools. You must use a personal or individual work email account. Shared or family email addresses are not compliant with GDPR guidelines and are not suitable for course communications.



How to enroll and achieve Dyslexia Academy Approved Practitioner/Teacher Status ?

Upon successful Course Completion, an application form, CV, proof of insurance and DBS need to be submitted alongside a £95 Fee. Our specialist team can support you with the process.