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Level 5 Diploma in Practitioner Reflexology

When are the next Gaia School Level 5 Reflexology courses?

The following course is scheduled to start on
Friday 4th October 2024.

Attendance is one Saturday and Sunday per month.

Venue:
Women's Institute, Neston Road,
Thornton Hough, South Wirral, CH63 1JW.

See
Course dates link
and
L5 booking form and Fees link
for further information.

Gaia School training venue at Women's Institute Thornton Hough village

Recognised qualification.

AOR Gateway school icon

Here at the Gaia School of Natural Health we are proud to offer the Level 5 Diploma in Practitioner Reflexology. This is the highest level of attainment in reflexology available in the UK. It can be confusing when deciding on the right reflexology course, which is why we only offer a qualification that is regulated by Ofqual (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) and QW (Qualifications Wales). This qualification is also on the European Qualification Framework which means that employers and education establishments in Europe can easily understand and appreciate the high level to which you have studied.

Studying at Level 5 is the equivalent of a Foundation Degree or HND (comparable to studying 2 years of a Bachelor's Degree at a University) meaning that the depth and breadth of the course ensures you are fully confident and competent when you graduate as a professional 'Clinical Reflexologist'. In contrast, a Level 3 qualification equates to an 'A' level standard.

It is not necessary to have studied reflexology or anatomy, physiology and pathology prior to embarking on this Level 5 course, so it is therefore suitable for complete beginners as well as those who have previous holistic therapy training and those who have studied at Level 3 wishing to further develop their skills and learning.

The Gaia School of Natural Health is a Founder Partner of the Integrated Reflexology Consortium (IRC), a collaboration of the leading reflexology training organisations in England, offering the revised Level 5 Diploma in Practitioner Reflexology. The newly revised Level 5 Diploma in Practitioner Reflexology offers a modern comprehensive Level 5 training in Reflexology combined with a detailed Level 4 in Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology and Business Planning. The course is created by experienced reflexologists with the academic awarding body Agored Cymru. Gaia School of Natural Health is an Association of Reflexologists’ Gateway School, which means that once you have completed the Level 5 Diploma in Practitioner Reflexology and received your certificate, you immediately qualify for AoR Membership.

We teach the only Level 5 qualification accepted by the Association of Reflexologists

The course includes a unique, highly adaptable additional treatment called Adaptive Integrated Reflexology© or AIR. AIR encompasses aspects of health that impact so many in today's stressful and uncertain world. It is a profoundly relaxing and balancing treatment with simple adaptations to support clients living with specific conditions.

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Level 5 Course content

(please click to reveal/hide detail)
  • Studied to Level 4, we take a holistic and applied approach to understanding how our bodies are organised, and how they work. We focus on stress and the physical and psychological effects it has on us, and we consider how our body will strive to naturally bring itself back into balance and what we can do to encourage this. We also look at healthy eating as part of our module on the digestive system, as good health cannot be achieved if we do not first consider how we are fuelling ourselves. Assessment is mainly by workbooks and a few essays. There is no end of year exam!

  • In this module you are introduced to your toolkit of reflexology techniques and skills. We discuss and analyse theories of how reflexology works, and you undertake 6 observed practicals. Clinical skills (e.g. communication, ethics and professionalism) are thoroughly covered.

  • This module further develops your skills and techniques. You will give 100 treatments outside of class hours, and write them up as case studies, providing detailed rationale and analysis. This is all about developing you as a practitioner and you will learn further varied and advanced techniques. This module will include hand reflexology, linking and other energy techniques, light touch reflexology, "Inner Intent" reflexology, and so much more.

  • In this module you will write a business plan, choose a name and logo, and draft leaflets and content for a website, as well as set up a cash flow forecast. We cover legal requirements for running your own business so that by the time the course is completed your new reflexology business is up and running.

  • Within this module we evaluate existing research in reflexology and what makes a good piece of research, plus you propose your own reflexology research. We look at reflexology throughout a person’s lifespan, from using reflexology with babies and children, through issues of fertility, maternity and menopause, to palliative and cancer care. As part of our palliative sessions, we spend a day in the Complementary Therapy Department at Claire House Children's Hospice and find out how they use complementary therapies to support the children and their families. This complementary therapy service was set up at the hospice by a graduate of the Gaia School of Natural Health and we are thrilled to provide many of their volunteers and work so closely with them.

  • Each Level 5 school provides their own additional topics, dependent on the specialisms of the tutors. As well as additional specialist techniques in fertility and maternity work, Gaia learners benefit from Carolyn's knowledge and interests in energy techniques. As a Reiki Master Teacher, Crystal Therapist and Sound Healing Practitioner, Carolyn brings many additional energy based aspects to the course. These include:

    • introduction to working with subtle energy in reflexology, including how to protect yourself (half day),
    • chakra balancing (half day),
    • using meridians in reflexology (full day workshop),
    • and a short introduction to crystals etc.

    The Gaia School also has a specialist emphasis on advanced musculoskeletal techniques (one and half day workshops). We include special protocols on how to work with foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis, and we provide an introduction to Adapted ReflexTherapy techniques (AdRx), developed by physio Gunnel Berry, which can be used on clients experiencing spinal pain and the effects of whiplash injuries. These techniques have been found to be measurably effective in increasing spinal mobility and reducing pain.

    You will also have the option of attending a workshop certifying you to use aromatherapy essential oils in your reflexology treatments, and a workshop on crystal reflexology: selecting and working with crystals in your reflexology session.

How much study time is required and how will I be assessed?

Level 5 Diploma in Practitioner Reflexology has a minimum number of contact hours of 160 over an academic year. You will be required to complete 100 case study treatments outside of class-time and 6 observed practical assessments within class. Learners should be expected to undertake approximately 10-15 hours per week of self-study (including case studies).

The course is assessment based so there are no written exams to sit.


Cathy Ross decided to become a reflexologist to compliment her role of 40 years as a nurse.

In this video, Cathy talks about her time studying reflexology at the Gaia School of Natural Health.




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Experienced Teacher and Practitioner.

Carolyn Roberts qualified in Reflexology in January 2000 and has been a practising reflexologist since then. Although she is trained in other modalities, reflexology has always been her passion and she uses other therapies as an adjunct to reflexology. For example, she creates her own reflexology blends using essential oils and gem essences and provides a one day workshop so that reflexologists can learn how to safely and effectively add essential oils to their own reflexology creams. Carolyn also has a great deal of experience in working with fertility and maternity clients. Carolyn holds an MSc in Holistic Approaches to Healing which included conducting a research study which was later published in an aromatherapy journal. In November 2022 Carolyn co-founded the Integrated Reflexology Consortium (IRC), a not for profit group of experienced reflexology educators. The IRC is the registered centre to deliver the Agored Cymru Level 5 Diploma in Practitioner Reflexology, and together the IRC and Agored Cymru revised and updated the qualification in 2023.

Learn Level 5 Reflexology
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Course Dates

The Level 5 course starts in October each year until July of the following year. It runs on one weekend per month, with an induction day on one Friday. If you cannot attend the one Friday date due to work commitments, please do get in touch to discuss possible alternative arrangements for this induction day.

For information on class times please see the relevant course detail below.

Current 2024/25 course dates

  • The Level 5 course (October 2024) is comprised of 21 days over 10 months.

    On Saturdays and Sundays the class times are 9.00 to 17.00.

    Term 1:

    • Day 1: Friday 4th October 2024. INDUCTION DAY starts 10.00am.
      *This is the only weekday. Please contact me to discuss if this date is difficult for you.
    • Day 2: Saturday 5th October 2024
    • Day 3: Sunday 6th October 2024
    • Day 4: Saturday 2nd November 2024
    • Day 5: Sunday 3rd November 2024
    • Day 6: Saturday 7th December 2024
    • Day 7: Sunday 8th December 2024

    Term 2:

    • Day 8: Saturday 11th January 2025
    • Day 9: Sunday 12th January 2025
    • Day 10: Saturday 8th February 2025
    • Day 11: Sunday 9th February 2025
    • Day 12: Saturday 8th March 2025
    • Day 13: Sunday 9th March 2025
    • Day 14: Saturday 5th April 2025
    • Day 15: Sunday 6th April 2025

    Term 3:

    • Day 16: Saturday 10th May 2025
    • Day 17: Sunday 11th May 2025
    • Day 18: Saturday 7th June 2025
    • Day 19: Sunday 8th June 2025
    • Day 20: Saturday 12th July 2025
    • Day 21: Sunday 13th July 2025

Next 2025/26 course dates

  • The Level 5 course (October 2025) is comprised of 21 days over 10 months.

    On Saturdays and Sundays the class times are 9.00 to 17.00.

    Term 1:

    • Day 1: Friday 3rd October 2025. INDUCTION DAY starts 10.00am.
      *This is the only weekday. Please contact me to discuss if this date is difficult for you.
    • Day 2: Saturday 4th October 2025
    • Day 3: Sunday 5th October 2025
    • Day 4: Saturday 8th November 2025
    • Day 5: Sunday 9th November 2025
    • Day 6: Saturday 6th December 2025
    • Day 7: Sunday 7th December 2025

    Term 2: TBC

    Term 3: TBC

Booking, Fees and Entry requirements

Entry requirements

  • You must be over 18, and have sufficient ability to be able to perform the reflexology techniques
  • You must have regular access to email, the Internet and word-processing and printing facilities
  • You must have the interest, energy, enthusiasm (and time!) necessary to complete the course
  • You must have an adequate level of written and spoken English.

Course fee - Level 5 Reflexology

October 2025 course cost: £ 3,450.

What the course fee includes:

  • all teaching materials and comprehensive/detailed training handouts
  • GAIA school reflexology foot chart
  • access to an online Learning Zone
  • access to videos of reflexology sequences
  • Gaia School specialism, focus on: Energy Reflexology and Advanced Musculo-Skeletal techniques.

Additional fees

  1. Awarding body fees:
    The awarding body fees are subject to yearly change. The fees are payable via Gaia School of Natural Health within 30 days of commencement of the course.
    • Awarding body and administration fees £336.50 (correct as of November 2024 and exact amount to be confirmed)
  2. Professional Association student membership (currently £39). Student membership will include student insurance for 18 months and the fee is payable directly to the relevant association at the commencement of the course.

You will also need to buy your own equipment:

  • Reflexology equipment such as treatment Lafuma chair, bolster and therapist stool (required by Day 4)
  • Gaia School apron
  • Reflexology consumables such as towels, pillows and creams
  • 4 textbooks (approx. £55)

During course induction (day 1) Gaia School will provide further advice on the the types of equipment available, recommended reading and where to source them. Also any other equipment required to be Covid-19 secure.

Booking your place - the Application form

October 2025 course:
Start date: Friday 3rd October 2025

To register for the course please use the
Gaia School Online Booking form

Closing date for applications: Friday 5th September 2025

Places remaining:

10

 

Course Fee Payment options

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    • Option 1 - Non-refundable deposit of £400, followed by full payment of £3,050, totalling £3,450 course fee.
    • Option 2 - Non-refundable deposit of £400, followed by 10 monthly payments of £310, totalling £3,500 course fee. (i.e. includes £50 handling fee)
    Note. Payment options only relate to Course fees, and not the additional fees (i.e. Accreditation fees and Professional Association student membership) which are paid for separately.
L5 July Group class

Standardisation and Accreditation

The reflexology units are registered and copyrighted with AGORED CYMRU and are part of the Credit and Qualification Framework Wales (CQFW). They belong to the Quality and Lifelong Learning (QALL) pillar.

The reflexology professional body, the Association of Reflexologists is the verifying organisation for the Level 5 Diploma in Practitioner Reflexology via which you are eligible to join the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), the UK voluntary regulator for complementary therapy practitioners.

The syllabus exceeds the criteria for Reflexology National Occupational Standards (NOS), and criteria as set out by the House of Lords Report 2000, and the Core Curriculum for Reflexology.

The Gaia School of Natural Health work in partnership with other reflexology schools within the Integrated Reflexology Consortium (IRC) which is the approved recognised centre with Agored Cymru. The Agored Cymru Level 5 Diploma in Practitioner Reflexology was reviewed and updated in 2023 by the Founder Partners of the IRC. Carolyn Roberts, Principal of the Gaia School is thrilled to be one of the Founder Partners of the IRC.

Gaia School of Natural Health is an Association of Reflexologists’ Gateway School, which means that once you have completed the Level 5 Diploma in Practitioner Reflexology and received your certificate, you immediately qualify for AoR Membership.

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