PMSUNECH - MA Supporting Older Children and Young People with Dyslexia / SpLDs

The course adopts a blended learning approach to learning and teaching, with regular evening workshops, occasional afternoon sessions, a placement, and online learning resources. These include group online platform discussions, research supervision of dissertations and projects, and observations and reviews of practise-based work in schools and approved organisations. This integrated programme provides a rich, rigorous, and critically reflective learning and teaching experience targeted at developing professional practise in this field.

• to create high expectations of those working to support pupils with SEND in the classroom, in young offenders or exclusion units, with carers and relevant organisations
• strengthen knowledge of SEND - in support staff, teachers, across schools / educational establishments, with carers and relevant organisations
• open up career opportunities for a wide range of people with professional and / or carer responsibilities working with older children & young people with SpLDs, including teachers, TAs, SEND staff, carers – to give them more support in and control over their careers
• create expectations about the importance of scholarship throughout working with learners with SEND and continuing professional development
• to assist students in developing collaborative, joined-up approaches to the older child / young person’s learning experience and their development - academic, social and personal
• to contribute to the development of high quality inclusive and needs-driven provision in schools and other areas in which older children and young people with SpLDs are supported and cared for

The following learning outcomes incorporate and depend on a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

• apply methods and techniques appropriate to their own research or advanced scholarship in Supporting Older Children and Young People with Dyslexia/SpLDs
• apply knowledge with originality, based on a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in Supporting Older Children and Young People with Dyslexia/SpLDs
• evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in Supporting Older Children and Young People with Dyslexia/SpLDs
• • evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses
• deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
• exercise self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
• advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level.
• exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
• learn independently for the purposes of continuing professional development.

Students are assessed through a combination of practical placements & written critical reflections & evaluations on practise; a practise-based portfolio; observations and review of practise; a case-study project (placement practise-based); assessed oral presentations; academic project; MA Dissertation project.

Students are expected to undertake approved part-time placements across the course in a voluntary / non-paid role. Further information on trying to secure placements will be provided by the Course Leader at the point of application. Those already in relevant employment with opportunities to work with older children or young adults with SpLDs can base their coursework on their own students.
The course includes a requirement for critical reflection on this placement, demonstrated in a practice-based portfolio. Their practice will also be observed, and assessed, and this is also central to the project module.

For Masters award – see Course Structure
PG Diploma – All taught modules excluding the MA Dissertation
PG Cert Supporting Children and Young People with Dyslexia SpLDs – modules DL7006 & DL7007

The course promotes critical reflection on experiential learning through the placement, and the case-study action project, aided by discussion - face to face, in written assignments and in online debate, as well as in reflective logs in the taught modules. Evaluation of practice is at the heart of all the work.

The course leader will provide guidance and bring in past cohorts, experts in the field to highlight the opportunities available.

There are anticipated to be high levels of demand in schools and other educational organisations across the country. This is certainly the case for graduates of the existing courses in the field of adult learning run by the same Centre here at LondonMet, who are much in demand by colleges, employers and universities.

Accreditation is currently being sought from the British Dyslexia Association, to provide appropriate professional qualifications in working with older children and young people with Dyslexia / SpLDs.

The MA provides both initial and continuing professional development (CPD) in the area of supporting older children and young people in a variety of learning contexts, with a strong inter-professional base and high-quality, learner-focused approaches and strategies to remove barriers and facilitate the full potential of the learner.

There is wide demand for informed and learner-centred solutions, approaches and strategies to support young people and older children with one or more SpLDs (including dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, and Asperger Syndrome) in a range of careers and roles involving working with this age group – in schools, special needs support settings, childrens’ organisations, young offenders institutions, and exclusion units.

A first degree from a UK university or equivalent. Additionally, a full, current DBS check is a mandatory requirement of taking part in this course. You will be required to undertake this prior to enrolling on the course.

Mature applicants (over 21) who do not meet the standard entry requirement are most welcome to apply. In this case, you are asked to contact the course leader Anne Morris direct (a.morris@londonmet.ac.uk) to discuss the course and your needs and will be required to undertake an essay.

There is no requirement to be in relevant employment at the application stage, however due to the practical element of the course, such applicants will be expected to undertake approved part-time placements across the course in a voluntary / non-paid role. Further information on trying to secure placements will be provided by the Course Leader at the point of application.

A full, current DBS check is a mandatory requirement for taking part in this course. The check must be completed before commencing the course and be current for the duration of the course