Scroll down to look at our resources for parents with dyslexic children...
Class sizes are kept small so that children’s individual learning needs can be considered and often lessons are achieved in even smaller groups within the class to make the level of learning appropriate for each child. Yes, we follow the curriculum but we are not ruled by it and emphasis is put on celebrating each child’s talents and abilities whilst strengthening up key weak areas.
Once a child is given the correct level of work and supported through tasks they are able to relax and enjoy their learning. Their growth mindset develops and they are engaged with the subject.
Dyslexic children get easily overloaded with tasks and so we keep things bright and breezy. We choose interesting topics, with a wow event at the start of each half-term to capture everybody's interest and do as much learning outside of the classroom as we can. There are plenty of breaks during the day and extra, supervised breaks in our equipped sensory room are also available where appropriate. We always have enough staff on hand if someone needs a little time out or some 1:1 explanations and because of this we have very little classroom disruption.
In the afternoons we do a lot of practical activities that often our dyslexic children love. They make things out of wood, metalwork, do cookery, art and we have a an adventure session one afternoon every week where they mountain bike, pony ride, kayak or walk the dogs and build camp fires. Each term a new set of fun activities is drawn up and each of these provides a rich learning environment. It's really important that a dyslexic child knows that they are good at something and it's important to their self esteem that they discover this at an early age.
Understanding and meeting your dyslexic child's educational needs can feel like an overwhelming task. We have a great deal of experience in this field and would like to share with you some resources for parents that we have found along the way.
www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/parent/resources-of-parents
The BDA have an immense amount of helpful information and their resources page is definitely worth a look. It even has links to useful videos of experts in the field of dyslexia talking about their findings. BDA campaigns and lobbies for long lasting and sustainable change for the benefit of dyslexic people. It provides impartial, objective advice and support, sets the standards for and accredits dyslexia knowledge and professional expertise, promotes research and disseminates best practice.
The BDA Helpline (0333 405 4567) is completely free and confidential for all dyslexia related calls and emails, providing information and advice surrounding dyslexic issues.
www.dystalk.com
This site is for parents of children who are looking for information on how to optimise their child's learning. dysTalk provides information and clips on specific learning difficulties that may be undermining a child's performance as well as learning strategies that can potentially be applied to all children of all abilities.
studyingwithdyslexiablog.co.uk
John Hicks is a parent of two daughters with special educational needs that include dyslexia and a life coach that supports parents as they support their children with dyslexia and other special needs. He has collected together lots of bloggers who give advice to others about learning and studying with dyslexia. The blogs provide free resources that help to empower your children to thrive at school and beyond.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/DyslexiahelpandsupportUK/
This is a closed group that you can request to join. Professionals and parents share information to point you in the right direction to get the help that you need. It is a friendly group where you can ask any questions or share your experiences.
Locally in Devon the Devon SpLD Dyslexia Service is run from its base at QE in Crediton. If your child is formally assessed it will most likely be done by Ann Atherton or Deborah Lynch. However this team also offer training courses for both SENCOs and parents on how best to support your child with reading, writing and homework. The website also has many downloadable leaflets created from their wealth of knowledge. It's worth a look!
https://www.qe.devon.sch.uk/school-information/partnerships/devon-dyslexia-service/
