Where can teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs and other teaching staff go to get good quality CPD?

As a parent supporting my child with their challenges in school, it was important to me that the teaching staff and SENCO knew the latest information on dyslexia and neurodiversity (co-occuring differences). Given that the current standards in teacher training put little emphasis on a teacher’s understanding about dyslexia, it is really important that our teaching professionals get access to good quality training that feels this gap. In this article, I will share some awesome resources where anyone who works in a school can get accredited training that will support their understanding of dyslexia and related topics.

Why is this important?

Good training on dyslexia and neurodiversity is essential if schools are going to help a child to unlock their academic potential. With the Equalities Act mandating that schools remove barriers to learning, it is important that education professionals get the most up-to-date training in order to do help a child with dyslexia to thrive.

But where can you go to get that training and how can you be confident that the training is of good quality?

CPD Accreditation

Put simply, if a course has been awarded CPD accreditation then you can be assured of the quality of the training that you partake in. There are various organisations that provide accreditation and usually the training provider will display some kind of logo or awarding mark associated with the accreditation organisation. CPD accreditation can be awarded to training courses, webinars, conferences and many other forms of delivering training. The resources outlined below all have some sort of accreditation.

The Positive Dyslexia Conference - Liverpool October 2021

Positive Dyslexia is a an organisation that provides diagnostic assessments for children and adults and training for schools, parents and employers across the UK.

This year a highlight will be the second Positive Dyslexia Conference taking place in Liverpool on the 11th November. A welcome return for educational professionals across the UK as well as more locally in the North West to network and receive in person quality training from a range of speakers who will be sharing their knowledge and expertise.

Confirmed speakers include Dr Marketa Caravolas, Dr Meesha Warmington and Dr Anna Barnett. There will be workshops in the afternoon on assessment and practical solutions to support Dyslexia in the classroom with Sally-Ann Morrison from Praxis Training and Philippa Vince from Toucan Education. Lunch and all refreshments are included.

On a personal note, I had the pleasure of presenting at the first meeting in 2019 about dyslexia and self-esteem and I attended a number of the training sessions and talks that were available. For me the level of knowledge gained was invaluable and delivered at a level that all could gain benefit from. Equally important, and especially given the past year, I had an opportunity to learn from conversations had throughout the day. This conference will be one of the first opportunities to meet face to face with other professionals all focused on supporting students with dyslexia and neurodiversity after this past year of forced online learning.

Praxis CPD - CPD Opportunities For SpLD Specialists

Launched in 2020, Sally-Ann Morrison has more than 20 years experience in the field of SpLD assessments and set up Praxis to help professionals to fully understand at a deep level the SASC guidelines for assessment of dyslexia and co-occurring conditions. More specifically, if you are a Level 7 qualified APC holder then Praxis offers you further CPD so as to maintain your own accreditation. Praxis delegates are also newly qualified assessors looking to learn more. Click the logo below for more information.

The British Dyslexia Association - Training at all levels.

The British Dyslexia Association provides quality training at all levels of understanding about dyslexia. they provide training for parents, teachers, specialist teachers as well as other educators and employers. More information can be found by clicking here.

PATOSS - Professional Association of Teachers of Students With Specific Learning Difficulties.

Patoss is the professional association of teachers of students with specific learning difficulties, for all those concerned with the teaching and support of pupils with SpLD, for example: dyslexic, dyspraxic, dyscalculic, ADHD. PATOSS provide a range of online courses for professionals working with dyslexic learners.

SEND Group

Developing and delivering personalised continuing professional development for the special education needs and disability community. Bringing together profiled presenters in their respective fields to deliver informative awareness sessions in the areas SEND.

Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity

Based in Farnham, Surrey with an increasing number of ‘satellite’ offices around the country, the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre seeks to train dedicated professionals to inspire people to love learning. Their motto, “Believe, Achieve, Succeed” resonates very strongly with my ethos about helping children with dyslexia believe that their unique way of thinking could change the world.

Have you experienced training with any of these organisations?

If you have experienced training with any of these organisations, then I want to hear from you. How was the course that you attended? How useful was it to you and what impact did the training make for you and the children or students you support? Please leave a comment in the box below.