Do Driving Instructors Have to Take a Cycle Proficiency?

I became an driving instructor after I retired from the police and I have been cycling since the 1970's so I can probably answer some questions on this subject.
Instructors do not need to cycle or make themselves aware of anything relating to bikeability. I would suggest that cycling proficiency when they were at school would be the nearest most instructors come to any specific cycling related awareness. (Most are middle aged). They will have a good knowledge of the Highway Code as the theory test for instructors is fairly lengthy and many will take additional driver tests, such as the IAM, Rospa, etc and will need to be familiar with the Police Roadcraft manual to pass these courses. Regardless Instructors should be perfectly aware of how to drive around cyclists and be able to teach others how to do so safely. There was a recent article in our Newslink publication outlining the main points of Bikeability; the author highlighting how road position has changed over the years. (Not much, but it is something).
My overtaking lesson focuses primarily on cyclists and horses and the skills needed to be safe around them. There are hundreds of professional driving lessons on youtube in relation to manoeuvres but professional efforts in relation to overtaking are pretty scarce. (I'll make one over the summer).
Threats to vulnerable road users, in my opinion, should form a large part of the standard theory test, specific instructors' lesson packages, and in the practical test. (The latter may involve overtaking an imaginary cyclist or horse. It does work on lessons).
Sorry the post is long but there's a lot that could be done to make things safer and it is important.

I'll give the one I came across in Bradford the other week his due.

Must be hard balancing your phone on your shoulder whilst holding a pen in one hand, a folder in the other and be able to drive. Even harder to be able to drop all out of sight the second my hand hit the back of the car as he drifted into the cycle lane.

Next time I may just unclip and kick the tail lights out.

I had one instructor who was giving a lesson at the time screaming at me that I should be riding on the pavement rather than holding my line on a quiet stretch of road. Reported it to his company but heard nothing back.

Worst of it is people are paying to learn that stuff.

I had a disagreement with a driving instructor recently in an online forum (not this one). He was venting about cyclists and motorcyclists filtering in traffic and asked when this illegal activity had been made legal. I searched the Highway Code and then posted a quote from it referring to cyclists and motorcyclists filtering and that other road users should be on the look out for this. He then posted another quote referring to cyclists and motorcyclists filtering asking why I hadn't posted that as well. And I responded saying that since he knew it was in the Highway Code more than once and that it wouldn't have been specifically mentioned if filtering was illegal, what was he asking in the first place?

He shut up after that.

They should learn how to drive first.

So far as I know they get taught the usual blather about sharing nicely, but never need to get on a saddle. Clearly, if we must allow death wagons on the roads bikebality 3 should be required for a provisional licence, but dream on.