My Account
Cart
Helpline: 
Recite
Call for applications: Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice GTCS Professional Recognition programme
Applications are open for the next GTCS Professional Recognition programme in Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice.
Closing date for applications: midnight on 25 May 2026.
Dyslexia Scotland is an accredited provider of the GTCS Professional Recognition programme in Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice.
The programme is delivered in partnership with Education Scotland. The aim of the programme is to develop accomplished expert teachers in dyslexia and inclusive practice so that they are well equipped to support learners and colleagues through the holistic identification and support process for dyslexia in Scotland.
About the programme
The sixth year of our exciting GTCS Professional Recognition programme will start in September 2026 and end in August 2027. The programme was accredited by the GTCS in June 2021.
The Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice Professional Recognition Programme was developed collaboratively with Education Scotland following an extended pilot that took place from 2017-2019. We built on the learning of the pilot through active engagement with the participants; therefore, the programme is grounded on their feedback, the impact of the professional learning on teachers and the learning of the programme tutors as a collaborative team.
The programme is a creditable and effective way to deepen Scottish teachers’ knowledge, understanding and practice to support learners. It meets a need within our educational system, builds capacity and creates a free sustainable route to high quality professional learning. It aims to increase the number of GTCS registered teachers with dyslexia and inclusive practice professional recognition.
Applicants should carefully consider the workload expectations required of the programme, as outlined in the Application Criteria Outline. Also, as part of the recruitment process, head teachers or local authority lead officers are asked to commit to providing support to participants engaging in this professional learning programme.
Is there a cost to the programme?
Currently funded by the Scottish Government, this programme is free to participants, but you will be expected to cover your own travel costs to the two in-person sessions.
Application Criteria Outline: 2026 to 2027
Who can apply?
Dyslexia Scotland is seeking applications from teaching professionals who have completed a minimum of one year of professional practice after gaining full registration from GTC Scotland and who have then gone on to engage in sustained, significant professional learning in Dyslexia and inclusive practice. This learning must include the completion of the Open University Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice Modules 1 and 2.
Support for Learning teachers, Additional Support Needs teachers, Pupil Support teachers and local authority Inclusion Education Officers are encouraged to apply, as well as others such as classroom teachers and Principal Teachers who can work in partnership with their support teachers.
The aim of the programme is to develop accomplished expert educators in dyslexia and inclusive practice so that they are well equipped to support learners and colleagues through the holistic identification and support process for dyslexia in Scotland. Closing date for applications: midnight on 25 May 2026.
As part of the selection process, candidates are required to submit a personal statement which must include the following:
- Your GTCS registration number and date of full registration
- Why you want to engage in the programme; what would you contribute?
- A summary of any relevant qualifications (accredited or non-accredited) or professional learning you have engaged in over the last 5 years
- What you learned from the Open University Dyslexia and inclusive practice Modules 1 and 2
- How you support professional learning within the school community, for example leading in-service/collegiate sessions with colleagues
- How you plan to take the learning forward at each stage of the programme in your area
- Any other relevant information in support of your application
- Attach the ‘Statement of participation’ from your Open University Dyslexia and inclusive practice Modules 1 and 2
- Attach written permission from your head of establishment/local authority.
Programme of study
The programme is expected to take at least 65 hours, which includes:
- Three Saturday Masterclasses (see Programme dates)
- One Saturday Professional Recognition Reflective Support Day
- Optional monthly online Drop-in twilight sessions through the year
- Participants are expected to carry out intersessional study, practitioner enquiry and collaboration with peer learners between each masterclass, as set out below
- Participants’ own study: online Open University Dyslexia and inclusive practice Module 3. When doing the modules, learners are encouraged to use a Reflective Log as they work through the coursework; what they write in this Log is an important part of the learning process. They are advised to revisit the Log regularly and use the information in it as evidence of their professional development, reflective practice and critical self-evaluation, all which contribute towards their GTC Scotland professional update
- Practitioner enquiry, involving personal reflection as well as collaboration with colleagues and their school community; this is linked to Module 3, on the broad topic of dyslexia and inclusive practice, with individual areas of research to be agreed and explored as part of the programme discussions
- GLOW Team space for sharing ideas and practice
- Submission of Professional Recognition application
Professional Reading and additional research papers are shared during the programme.
Practitioners who achieve their Professional Recognition Award will be required to do a poster about their enquiry for wider sharing (a template is provided for this).
Application timeline
- Closing date for applicants: midnight on 25 May 2026
- Inform applicants whether successful or not: by 27 June 2026
Programme dates
- Masterclass One: Saturday 5 September 2026 (in person, Stirling)
- Masterclass Two: Saturday 16 January 2027 (online)
- Masterclass Three: Saturday 24 April 2027 (online)
- Monthly online Drop-in twilight sessions (optional – dates provided if successful)
- Professional Recognition Reflective Support Day: Saturday 5 June 2027 (in person, Stirling)
- Submission of applications: no later than 31 August 2027
Overview of the three Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice modules
The three professional learning Dyslexia and inclusive practice modules are intrinsic to the learning outcomes for this programme. After studying the three modules, engaging in the tasks and carrying out their practitioner enquiry, participants will have a deeper knowledge, understanding and experience of the following:
- Dyslexia and inclusive practice within the Scottish context of education
- Equality and equity
- Dyslexia research
- Appropriate and collaborative support and assessment of dyslexia within the Scottish context
- Effective leadership and collaboration to support school communities to improve the outcomes of learners with dyslexia and associated difficulties.
The three online modules were developed collaboratively by Dyslexia Scotland, Education Scotland, the Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit working group and the Scottish Government, with the Open University in Scotland.
Developed and structured around the GTCS CLPL standards (and updated in line with the 2021 Standards), the incremental modules support reflective conversations, annual reviews and professional updates, which can contribute towards an application for GTCS Professional Recognition.
Apply for the 2026 programme
Programme contact
Cathy Magee, Chief Executive of Dyslexia Scotland [email protected]
“Gaining the Professional Recognition Award was a huge achievement, and I was over the moon to receive it after what was a significant amount of work. I am proud to display the recognition badge on my email, which feels like a tangible mark of my professional development. The award has greatly increased my confidence, allowing me to clearly and confidently explain to class teachers that I understand my role as a Support for Learning teacher. It has also deepened my knowledge and understanding of dyslexia, strengthening my ability to support both learners and colleagues effectively.”
Previous participant
“Having the Professional Recognition means that I feel that I can be confident when talking about, delivering training and influencing the trajectory of dyslexia development within the LA.”
Previous participant
“I feel it has provided recognition around the work I do to support young people. It reassured me that I am on the right track with the supports provided in school and the wider community around dyslexia.”
Previous participant
“I’m really proud of [this award] – I like that there is formal recognition of learning, and it feels meaningful. I was proud to have achieved it. I feel it has given me more confidence to discuss dyslexia with my colleagues, and parents and this is helping me to push for change knowing that I can backup decisions with legislation or research. I have developed a new intervention in school which has had positive results. I am more confident using IT to support learners too. It has reignited my passion for professional learning and has motivated me to look into further opportunities for more extended pieces of professional learning.”
Previous participant
“Through working on the programme I was inspired to move to a Support for Learning role and was successful at interview. My learning and hard work on the programme was something I was able to highlight and discuss on my job application and during the interview.”
Previous participant