Prestigious award ceremony for dyslexia-friendly educators

A cohort of Scottish teachers received General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) Professional Recognition awards in Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice at a prestigious ceremony in Glasgow on Tuesday 28 March.

Fifteen educators successfully completed a one-year programme led by Dyslexia Scotland and Education Scotland.

The event focussed on the dedication of the teachers to their practice, helping to ensure that learners with dyslexia are given the best possible support to thrive in school and beyond. 

The audience heard reflections from alumni of the programme about the impact of their deeper knowledge and understanding on dyslexic learners as well as on other colleagues in their schools and local authorities.

Other highlights included inspiring talks by Education Scotland and GTCS and a pre-recorded video by Dyslexia Scotland’s Young Ambassadors.

Cathy Magee, Chief Executive of Dyslexia Scotland said, “Warm congratulations to the teachers who received their Professional Recognition awards. They join a growing community of professionals with enhanced expertise in dyslexia and inclusive practice. These teachers are dedicated changemakers working towards a dyslexia-friendly Scotland that enables dyslexic young people to become successful, confident, respected and included.”

Ollie Bray, Strategic Director, Curriculum Innovation, Design and Pedagogy, Education Scotland said, “The event was not only a celebration of individual achievement of achieving GTCS Professional Recognition in Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice but also an event to share the learning of practical strategies that can best support children and young people with Dyslexia. While the programme has been a long time in development, it now represents a strong universal offer of professional learning for those who wish to increase their knowledge or those who require more support to develop strategies for inclusive practice.”

Jacqueline Morley, Teaching Standards Education Officer, GTC Scotland said, “GTC Scotland recognises the need for high-quality professional learning and development programmes to ensure that teacher professionalism is maintained and enhanced and that learning experiences are professionally recognised and valued. The Dyslexia and inclusive Practice programme was awarded Professional Recognition in 2021. This professional award recognises teachers who successfully complete this programme as accomplished practitioners in this area, whose practice is underpinned by ongoing reflective enquiry. This programme supports teachers as they develop as reflective, accomplished and enquiring professionals who are able to engage with the complexities of teaching and learning and the changing contemporary world of their learners, in order to enhance the learning experiences for all learners.”

Victoria Armet, one of the teachers awarded, said, “I genuinely believe it has had a positive impact on the learners in front of me on a day-to-day basis. Since completing the course, I have made lots of small changes to my classroom practice not just for pupils with a dyslexic learning profile but for all learners in my class. It also challenged me to look at how what I am doing fits into the bigger picture particularly at a national level, not just school or authority level.”

GTC Scotland’s Professional Recognition is an award that acknowledges teachers’ enhanced, significant, sustained and reflective enquiry and the development of their professional learning in a particular area. 

The Dyslexia and Inclusive practice programme is designed to build the skills and capacity of teachers to meet the needs of dyslexic learners in Scottish schools. Teachers carry out in-depth research and investigation into ways of improving the learning experience and attainment of learners with dyslexia.

The 2023/24 programme opened for applications in April. GTCS-registered educators who are interested in applying should submit their applications by 29 May for the programme starting in September 2023.

I genuinely believe it has had a positive impact on the learners in front of me on a day-to-day basis. Since completing the course, I have made lots of small changes to my classroom practice not just for pupils with a dyslexic learning profile but for all learners in my class. It also challenged me to look at how what I am doing fits into the bigger picture particularly at a national level, not just school or authority level

Victoria Armet, teacher

Download the application materials from the course information page.