Skip to main content
Donate

Professional Accreditation

Renewing your Accreditation - Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

All holders of BDA accreditations are responsible for keeping themselves up to date with the knowledge, skills and professional competence required of them in their specialist teaching and/or assessing roles. They must maintain and develop their knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes through formal and informal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and submit a CPD Log to the BDA every 3 years (on the anniversary of gaining the award). Attendance certificates must be submitted for formal CPD. CPD is a condition of holding any Professional Membership and may be withdrawn if not kept up to date.

CPD requirements for Accredited Teacher/Practitioner Status (ATS/APS); Accredited Teacher/Practitioner Dyscalculia (ATD/APD) and Accredited Tutor Status (ATS FE/HE)

A minimum of 15 hours of CPD over the the three years before renewal, which must consist of a minimum of 10 hours formal CPD (e.g. attendance at conferences, training events) the remaining 5 hours can be, informal (e.g. personal study, delivering training to colleagues). Attendance certificates must be submitted for 10 hours of formal CPD. Plus 10 hours direct specialist teaching each year.

This evidence should be submitted on the ATS/APS CPD log the fee for submission and verification is £75.

CPD requirements for AMBDA, AMBDA FE/HE and AMBDA Dyscalculia

A minimum of 20 hours CPD over the three years preceding renewal, including 5 hours of SASC approved training covering the principles of psychometrics, statistics and underlying theory or SpLD testing methods, interpretation and test materials. The remaining CPD can cover changes in regulations and legislation relating to SpLDs, developments in SpLD research and approaches to teaching and support for SpLD. Plus 15 hours direct specialist teaching each year.

CPD should be a combination of formal CPD, and informal training. Mentoring if SASC approved can be included in your CPD. Attendance certificates must be submitted for formal CPD.

This evidence should be submitted on the AMBDA CPD log the fee is included in the AMBDA annual membership fee, if held. Otherwise the fee is £75 for submission and verification.

What is Formal CPD?

Formal CPD covers conferences, training courses and formal webinars (where a certificate is issued) provided by any of the following, this list is not exhaustive:

  • British Dyslexia Association (BDA)
  • University Courses and conferences
  • Association of Educational Psychologists
  • British Psychological Society (BPS)
  • Dyslexia Action/Real Training
  • Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity
  • Local Authority courses and conferences
  • PATOSS
  • SASC
  • Communicate-ed
  • College of Occupational Therapists
  • Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
  • ADSHE

What is Informal CPD?

Informal CPD is covered by research or reading specialist SEN and SpLD material and resources, for example:

  • Critical reflection and review of your teaching practice, or that of your peers
  • Observation, personal study, mentoring or coaching
  • Free webinars
  • Reading and review of relevant professional journals and recent research
  • Presentations that you have given to colleagues or in workshops or conferences.

Sending your portfolio to the BDA

Email, do not post, your CPD Log and attendance certificates to accreditation@bdadyslexia.org.uk