ATS/APS/ATS FE/HE Explained

What is ATS/APS/ATS FE/HE?

Accredited Teacher Status (ATS), Accredited Practitioner Status (APS) and Accredited Tutor Status FE/HE (ATS FE/HE) are accreditations for those who have successfully completed a BDA accredited course for teaching learners with specific learning difficulties/dyslexia. If you worked with pre 16 learners for your level 5/7 course and hold QTS, you would apply for ATS and if you do not hold QTS, you would apply for APS. Both accreditations recognise the individual’s competence in delivering specialist teaching programmes to learners with SpLD/dyslexia in the pre-16 age range. If you completed your level 5/7 course by working with students who are post 16 and older you would apply for ATS FE/HE.

Who can apply for ATS/APS/ATS FE/HE?

Applicants who have successfully completed a BDA accredited course for ATS/APS/ATS FE/HE within the last three years can apply.

Applicants must have a minimum of two years (1,900 hours) relevant professional experience teaching/supporting learners in either the pre 16 age range or post 16 and older. This may be a full-time or part-time posts.

You may also apply for ATS/APS/ATS FE/HE via an individual merit route if you have significant experience in the teaching of learners with SpLD, and have taken an SpLD course more than 5 years ago however this should not be seen as an alternative to taking a course in teaching learners with SpLD. Please email: accreditation@bdadyslexia.org.uk for more information on this route.

How to apply for ATS/APS/ATS FE/HE

To apply for ATS/APS/ATS FE/HE you will need to start your online application via the application box on the right of this page

• You will need a completed Tutor form signed by your course leader and upload it as part of the application process
• You will need to read and agree to adhere to the BDA Code of Ethics

• There is a one-off accreditation fee of £70 which you will need to pay via the credit/debit card link within the application process

• If your employer/school is paying please select the invoice option in the application process

Progressing to AMBDA

On successful completion of an ATS/APS course specialist teachers can apply for courses leading to Associate Member of the BDA (AMBDA) which will enable them to conduct formal diagnostic assessments, write diagnostic reports and assess for exam access arrangements.

To find out more visit the AMBDA webpage.

Keeping ATS/APS/ATS FE/HE up to date

To maintain their accreditation ATS/APS/ATS FE/HE holders are required to keep their practice up to date and submit a CPD portfolio every three years on the anniversary of their award.

Find out more on the Continuing Professional Development webpage.

Professional Membership

With up to date ATS/APS/ATS FE/HE you may apply for Professional Membership with the BDA and be included on the BDA Tutor List.

Find out more, visit the BDA Professional Membership webpage.

Questions?

If you have any questions about our accreditations, the most effective way to contact us is via email. This is to ensure that we can include all the details you may require in response to your query in written form, whilst allowing the option to have this information read aloud to you on a computer. Please email us at: accreditation@bdadyslexia.org.uk

Courses accredited for ATS/APS[LL2]

Courses are taught at postgraduate Level 7 unless otherwise stated.

Courses accredited for ATS (FE/HE)

Courses are delivered at postgraduate Level 7 unless stated otherwise.

[LL1]LL speak to comms about possible alternative ways to submit and ‘rebrand’

[LL2]Have moved this to bottom of page to avoid overload of info and keep key info at the top

[LL3]APS page has Brighton too. Do they do ATS Julie? Assume they do?

[JL4]Brighton course no longer running