Is your school ‘dyslexia friendly’? There are many schools that claim to be but are they working to a recognised standard? If not, then what should that standard be and how can a school prove to be meeting that standard?

As we come to the close of another academic year that has been severely disrupted by the global pandemic, I am aware of UK Government messages that indicate a positive move in the right direction towards a normality reminiscent of what life was like before March 2020.

I recently attended an online conference called the Forum for the Future of Education that sought to bring together many individuals from the world of education such as parents, teachers, managers etc to discuss how the education system could change to meet the needs of our children as we recover and move on from the pandemic. Given all the disruption it is a good time to consider and adopt change and create a movement that catalyses change.

Artist Zuhura Plummer, was tasked with capturing the talks and discussions in a creative way and produced this amazing artwork that easily summarised what the delegates wanted to see in the education of the future.

As you can see a lot of what was captured in the artwork attests to the needs of pupils and what delegates felt needed to be addressed in the future. During the event there was a strong vibe relating to supporting neurodiversity in students which of course includes the needs of students with dyslexia.

What is a dyslexic friendly school?

There is evidence to suggest that in running a school with the needs of dyslexic learners in mind, especially in the way that educational content and learning is delivered, engaged with, and assessed, is beneficial for the wider school community. In many schools, support is often given on an individualised basis that then must be accommodated within the classroom. This approach by it’s nature is disrupting and at times counterintuitive and can lead to unnecessary expense.

Organisations such as the British Dyslexia Association and the Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils (CReSTeD) are working together to standardise what it means to be a ‘Dyslexia Friendly’ school, college or organisation. Upon receiving accreditation status from either organisation, a school or college, will practise a standard of education that is inclusive of dyslexic learners. Both organisations send in assessors and provide advice on how to achieve this level of good practise.

In being able to display the Quality Mark from the BDA or from CReSTeD a school is demonstrating inclusivity thus making the learning environment engaging for all.

More information about the British Dyslexia Association Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark can be found here.

I want my school to work to this standard, but we are not ready yet, how do we start to change the way that we deliver inclusive education?

Good CPD on working with dyslexic learners is essential for SENCOs in changing the school environment from within. The SENCO really should be the ‘evangelist’ to students and colleagues on how to work inclusively and good training is essential to making that happen.

The person who is responsible for the Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark at the BDA, Gillian Ashley will be opening one of the first in person CPD events for SENCOs taking place in November in Liverpool. The Positive Dyslexia Conference is working in partnership with the British Dyslexia Association to deliver CPD for SENCOs and specialist teachers who want to enhance the delivery of good practise within their school environments.

This event will be an excellent opportunity to learn from thought leaders in the field of supporting students with dyslexia.

Confirmed speakers include Dr Marketa Caravolas, Dr Meesha Warmington and Professor Anna Barnett. There will be workshops in the afternoon on assessment and practical solutions to support Dyslexia in the classroom with Sally-Ann Morrison from Praxis Training, Judy Hornigold (Dyscalculia) and Philippa Vince from Toucan Education.

Opportunity for readers of the Studying With Dyslexia Blog to gain good CPD as well as pay less for it.

The organiser of the Positive Dyslexia Conference, Katrina Cochrane has kindly provided a discount to all readers of this blog who would like to benefit from attending this event and gaining good quality CPD.

To find out more simply click the banner below and if you want to get that discount (almost £70 off) then use the discount code ‘SWD99’ in the checkout.