A PRIMARY school has been rewarded for doing more to help pupils with dyslexia.

Millbrook Primary School was presented with a Dyslexia Friendly Schools Award by Swindon Council yesterday.

The school’s special needs co-ordinator Ruth Kendrick has introduced techniques to help children.

“Achieving the award was quite a lot of work,” said Miss Kendrick.

“We undertook it over the course of a year and it involved a lot of staff training. The teaching methods are not one-offs, they are embedded in our processes.

“Sometimes dyslexia means children’s actual abilities are not reflected in what they show you.”

Pupils are taught using pastel coloured backgrounds instead of whiteboards, as it is found children with dyslexia struggle to read black wording on white.

There are 40 children with dyslexic traits at the school.

Headteacher Clare Griffin-Felton said: “We are delighted that our inclusive school has been acknowledged for all its hard work in personalising the learning experience for each child at Millbrook.”

The school was presented with the award at Freshbrook Church yesterday by John Gilbert, the group director of Swindon Council’s Children Services. He said: “This award demonstrates the positive steps Millbrook Primary School has taken to develop an improved learning environment.

“These changes will ensure children with dyslexia find their lessons more enjoyable and less of a struggle.”

  • As reported in Thursday’s Swindon Advertiser, Drove Primary School has also recently been awarded a Dyslexia Friendly Schools Award