Four schools recognised for helping pupils with dyslexia (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Four schools recognised for helping pupils with dyslexia
9:40am Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News By Katie Bond
From left, Helen Curtis, of Swindon Dyslexia Services; Gretcher Dent, of Brookfield School; Alison Merk, of Kingsdown School and Kate Saunders of the British Dyslexia Association
FOUR schools have been recognised for their good practice in supporting children with dyslexia.
Oaktree, Brookfield, Nylands and Kingsdown schools have been working towards the British Dyslexia Association’s (BDA) Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark award after taking part in a two-year project funded by the Dyslexia-SpLD Trust.
The Quality Mark aims to provide a framework of support and understanding for schools so that children with dyslexia can build on their existing skills and talents and progress in their learning.
The framework ensures that staff have a good knowledge of the needs of dyslexic pupils and that the appropriate resources are available for each child. It is anticipated that the Quality Mark will lead to greater levels of achievement for all learners. The four schools attended a celebration event at Millbrook Primary yesterday where they shared their experiences of the two-year project. The BDA also explained how schools can gain dyslexia-friendly status.
A total of 30 schools in Swindon have so far achieved the Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark and Swindon Council’s Swindon Dyslexia/Specific Learning Difficulties Service wants all schools to reach the standard.
Swindon’s work in tackling dyslexia has been recognised in a publication which outlines good practice in schools.
The Dyslexia Friendly Schools (DFS) Good Practice Guide, which was produced by the BDA, is a compilation of good dyslexia friendly practice from various agencies and authorities, including Swindon Council.
Coun David Renard, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “I would like to congratulate the four schools who have been working towards the Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark as they have shown a real commitment to improving the learning experiences of the pupils in their care.
“Our Dyslexia/Specific Learning Difficulties Service do a great job and I’m sure, with their help, even more schools in Swindon will join the list of those that have been awarded the Quality Mark.”
For more information about the Dyslexia Friendly project and to find out more about the benefits of supporting dyslexic learners email Gill Peachey, Millbrook Primary School business manager, on 01793 872800 or email admin@Millbrook.swindon.sch.uk
DavisGraham says...
2:49pm Tue 19 Mar 13
The key to unlocking the Gift of Dyslexia is to create an environment which enables me or the person with dyslexia the ability to read. Many times I have heard the call for help and desperation for those parents, adults and children who have dyslexia, it is good your 4 schools have responded.
If any one has dyslexia they are living in a technical dream come true world which can equip the 10-20% of those who have the Gift of Dyslexia withText to speech tools such as Balabolka, Voice Dream (Apple application), and Xmind (note taking tool) which can/will change the landscape of their future outlook. Today I read with not boarders or hurdles to the written word at speeds of 340 to 510 words per minute with 90+% comprehension. As a point of insight we (dyslectics) are way ahead of the dawn of the "digital textbook" era, and we have a great chance of being the navigators of how it can change the life of a student and family.