First class or upper second class honours degree in a relevant discipline (applications from students who do not hold a 1st or 2:1 Honours Degree (or equivalent), but have appropriate professional experience may be considered). Qualified Teacher status (QTS) or Qualified Teacher Learning Skills (QTLS). Applicants without Qualified Teacher status (QTS) or Qualified Teacher Learning Skills (QTLS) are able to apply if they are able to demonstrate experience supporting learners of a school age (16 years or under). Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) We will also consider applications from professionals in related fields, such as speech therapists, educational psychologists and occupational therapists. This PGCert is only open to UK applicants who are currently working in appropriate UK settings. All applicants will need to ensure they are able to work in an appropriate one to one situation with pupils in order to complete the modules before a place is offered on the course. A letter of support from a school headteacher (of an appropriately aged school setting) indicating their support with this will be required. All applicants will require a written statement from head teachers / managers supporting their suitability as a specialist teacher and confirmation that they satisfy the Disclosure and Barring Service’s (DBS) mandatory criteria of ‘Clearance to work with children and/or vulnerable adults’. Currently, there is an expectation that the specialist teaching and assessments that students undertake for the duration of the programme of study (with appropriately aged participants) will take place in 1:1 (face to face) situations. Course applicants must have a minimum of two years relevant professional experience in teaching or experience supporting learners of a school age (16 years or under). In some cases, appropriate professional educational experience in another phase of education may be considered. A letter of suitability, on headed paper, from the applicants line manager will be required.