How to become a specialist teacher with BDA accreditation
Specialist teachers are qualified to conduct informal, curriculum-based assessments and deliver specialist teaching programmes to learners with dyslexia or dyscalculia. To become a specialist teacher, you need to successfully complete a Level 5 or Level 7 Accredited Teacher/Practitioner Status (ATS/APS) accredited course or a Level 5 or Level 7 Accredited Teacher/Practitioner Dyscalculia (ATD/APD) accredited course.
Once you have completed this training, you can apply for Accredited Teacher/Practitioner Status (ATS/APS/ATD/APD) with the BDA, within three years of completing the course. For more details see the information below.
More detail about our Specialist Teacher Accreditations can be found in the links below. To support you to navigate this, an explanation of each accreditation of given here:
Accredited Teacher Status (ATS) | For those who have completed a level 5/7 ATS/APS course, working with learners under the age of 16 and hold QTS |
Accredited Practitioner Status (APS) | For those who have completed a level 5/7 ATS/APS course, working with learners under the age of 16 and do not hold QTS |
Accredited Tutor Status FE/HE (ATS FE/HE) | For those with or without QTS/QTLS who have completed a level 5/7 ATS/APS course, working with learners aged 16 or over. |
Accredited Teacher Dyscalculia (ATD) | For those who have completed a level 5/7 ATD/APD course, working with learners under the age of 16 and hold QTS |
Accredited Practitioner Dyscalculia (APD) | For those who have completed a level 5/7 ATD/APD course, working with learners under the age of 16 and do not hold QTS |
Specialist teachers are qualified to conduct informal, curriculum-based assessments and deliver specialist teaching programmes to learners with dyslexia up to and including 18 years of age.
See the specialist teacher pathway (PDF)
