Established 10 years and with over 30 years of teaching expertise, Literacy Matters provides quality consultancy support to schools and continuing professional development opportunities across the whole school workforce.

We currently offer the following courses:

The Ofsted Framework 2012 - implications for schools
QCF Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools
Specialist Dyslexia Training for Teachers & TA's
Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
Improving Primary English
Y1 Phonics Screening Check

The Ofsted Framework 2012 - implications for schools

This short course is designed to give the key points regarding changes to the inspection process. A one-hour online meeting is followed by access to the Support4Schools eLearning area for one month

Who is this course for?

• Head teachers
• Deputy / assistant head teachers
• Senior management team members

Course Content
The course consists of an online meeting and access to a video tutorial and resources in the eLearning area.

Online Meeting

• The four key Judgements
• Key points regarding Pupil Achievement
• Achievement of different groups of pupils
• Key points regarding Teaching
• Key questions regarding Behaviour and safety
• Key questions regarding Leadership and Management
• Overall effectiveness
• Differences from the previous framework
• Collecting evidence in classrooms
• Examples of evaluation form evidence
• Questions

eLearning Area

• A video tutorial focussing on the aspect of pupil achievement
• Resources including current documents, evaluation schedule; examples of SEF

Course Tutor
Course Tutor: Rob Jones (Ofsted Inspector)

Comments from previous candidates:

Thank you; very clear information and useful support materials (Head teacher)

Thanks a lot it was very useful and I will be feeding back to my school. (senior management team member)

Fees
One person £49 + VAT
Two people £79 + VAT
Three or more £99 + VAT

Course Applications
Visit www.literacymatters.com/ofsted/signup to complete the online registration form

For further information please contact the Programme Team:

Email: training@literacymatters.com or Tel: 08442 779569

QCF Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools

We are currently able to offer full funding of this programme to eligible Teaching Assistants. To be eligible for funding,
generally speaking you need to meet the following criteria:

• Be currently working in a suitable support role in school
• Be employed at a school in Manchester or surrounding areas (including Bury, High Peak, Stockport, Cheshire East)
• Hold a paid employment contract for 16 hours or more per week
• Not already possess a Level 3 NVQ qualification
• Not possess a Foundation Degree or Degree

The qualification consists of 11 mandatory units and additional specialist optional units, all of which have been developed by TDA in line with occupational standards.

Assessment is by a combination of attendance at taught workshops, written work, and individual assessor visits to school.

Click here to apply

Specialist Dyslexia Training for Teachers - Postgraduate Certificate

Our Postgraduate Level Specialist Dyslexia course is accredited by the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) and the University of Glyndwr. Successful completion of the programme leads to a Postgraduate Certificate (60 CATS points at Masters Level) and an award of Approved Teacher Status (ATS) with BDA.
Course content

The course consists of four core and specialist elements and is delivered by nine teaching days, over a maximum of 12 months. The programme includes practical assessment of the implementation of your knowledge and skills in school. For more information on the course content and assessment requirements click here for the course outline.

Entry Requirements
Candidates must hold QTS and be employed in England as a teacher in a school or as a Local Authority peripatetic teacher.

A signed statement of support is required from your Headteacher/ Head of Service to verify your suitability and to confirm you will be given opportunity to successfully meet the assessment criteria in school.

Selection criteria
Along with the standard entry requirements, candidates are required to complete a personal statement demonstrating their suitability for the programme in terms of experience, current role and responsibilities, and opportunities to disseminate knowledge and skills to colleagues in their own school and through partnership working with other schools.

Click here for more info

Higher Level Teaching Assistants

The DfES and the Training and Development Agency (TDA) have developed and published standards for higher level teaching assistants. You can find these here

How do I get HLTA status?
Through accessing a preparation programme from a provider of preparation. These programmes will help teaching assistants demonstrate that they meet the HLTA Standards and will lead to assessment against the Standards.

What are the training programmes?
1. a preparation route of three days preparation leading to assessment for 'HLTA status'. This route is designed for those candidates who have been judged ready to be assessed against the Standards;

2. a ' training programme' route which will be offered to candidates not yet ready for assessment by training providers. These programmes are likely to be varied. Literacy Matters Ltd offer a modular programme tailored to individual needs.

When do the training programmes start?
Contact us for more info

Who will pay for the training?
Support staff and teaching assistants working in maintained schools seeking 'HLTA status' under each of the routes identified above will be able to apply to their Local Authority for approval to take up a TTA funded training place. In addition, schools may choose to use part of the School Development Grant for this purpose.

Improving Primary English

What is the course?
The course consists of 3 modules that lead to the Award of Post Graduate Certificate, accredited through Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). The expected outcomes of the course are:

• To improve teachers’ knowledge of assessing pupils’ English skills
• To improve teachers’ knowledge of setting learning objectives identified through the assessment
  process
• To develop understanding about how pupils best develop their English skills
• To work with colleagues on improving pupil performance
• To implement ways of improving pupil progress
• To identify and overcome potential barriers to pupils’ learning
• To track pupils progress and analyse outcomes
• To consider whole school management of literacy teaching and learning
• To develop teachers’ research and problem solving skills

What will be the time commitment for me?
The 3 modules are each worth 20 credits in the National Credits Scheme (CAT) for Higher Education Institutions (HEI). It is estimated that participant time will equate to around 200 hours of effort for each 20 credits. In Module 3 participants will continue with a piece of research, which will be overseen by MMU tutors. This time estimate includes work done with pupils during school time. The modules should be completed within 3 terms.

What extra work will it mean for my school?
The work will fall within your usual procedures: analysis of your school’s pupil data; coordination within your school’s action plan, tracking of pupils; monitoring and performance management arrangements. We intend it should enhance your work and will try to minimise any additional workload.

What about time out of school to attend the course?
A large part of the course will be delivered through e learning. Of course we hope that your school will support you by giving you some time to complete the course requirements but the e learning option has a number of advantages:

• No need to spend time travelling to a training venue. • Flexibility on when e learning materials are accessed. You could have a mixture of school time, evenings
  and weekends. What benefits will there be for my school?
• This programme will allow your school to focus an aspect of English relevant to your context. It might be a focus on KS1 writing; improving your SATs results; looking at the progression of Y3 pupils; Gifted and Talented pupils. It may well be something you have already started and this will provide an opportunity to access specialists.
• It will offer your staff opportunities for professional development.
• It will impact positively on your pupils.

How much is the course?
the course fee is £249 +vat (£299)

Click here to apply

Y1 Phonics Screening Check

In June 2012 all Y1 pupils will have to take a statutory phonic screening check. You can find out more about this in our FREE online seminars.

Click here if you would like to book your self (or a colleague) onto this meeting.
complete the form and we will email you the joining instructions.

If you would like to find out more you can view a FREE tutorial here.

Click here to book onto the Y1 Phonics Screening Check eLearning course

Here's what some of the previous participants thought;
"It is such an innovative and time-effective way of disseminating information and done so with clarity
and purpose, so thank you very much! Can I .. add how informative I found the online seminar .... it
is the first time I have 'attended' any training in a virtual way and the organisation and quality of
information was excellent"
"Thank you. The seminar has been very helpful."
"Great info thank you"
"Thank you, this has been really helpful!"
"Thank you very much! It has been extremely beneficial and I appreciate the support"
"Really helpful, thank you!"
"Thank you for all the information provided!".