Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association

HWDA, CELEBRATING 50 YEARS: 1976 – 2026. WELCOME TO THE LATEST NEWSLETTER, MAY 2026

Eileen Boyd — Wed, 13 May 2026 21:51:23 +0000

Current Newsletter: May 2026

In 2026 we are delighted to be celebrating our 50th year of supporting students and their families. The founders of HWDA back in 1976 were instrumental in bringing about change to the education system and SEND provision. In this edition, Katrina Kear-Wood outlines the importance of study skills to prepare students for exams and HWDA’s role in supporting young learners:

At the time of exams many pupils experience heightened anxiety, for neurodivergent children and young people this can be intensified. Processing speed differences, time constraints, and reading/writing challenges, creating intense “fight-or-flight” stress. Dyslexic learners may experience severe panic, brain fog, and fatigue, as they often face pressure to perform quickly in a format that does not suit their cognitive style. Exam anxiety can feel overwhelming.Difficulties with working memory and slower processing speeds can prevent dyslexic students from fully demonstrating their understanding under these constraints.

Explicit, direct teaching of study skills and exam techniques are critical for dyslexics because they help bridge the gap between intelligence and performance, transforming time-consuming, traditional learning methods into accessible, efficient strategies.The key is preparation, HWDA embeds study skills in our workshops sessions, with a greater emphasis in Key Stage 4. Targeted Support focuses on strengthening weak areas, including organisation, time management and revision techniques, alongside literacy intervention. HWDA have recently updated their study skills policy.

Exam access arrangements allow dyslexics to demonstrate their true knowledge and skills by aiming to remove barriers caused by literacy challenges. These are primarily organised by a school or college’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), in collaboration with the Exams Officer. They gather evidence of a student’s “normal way of working” and apply for approval through the Joint Council for Qualifications ( JCQ) up to three months before exams. Reasonable adjustments for dyslexic students, such as extra time, readers, assisted technology or scribes are designed to remove barriers without providing an unfair advantage.

Alleviating anxiety through proper emotional support directly improves learning outcomes. Developing Self-Awareness by fostering an understanding of how dyslexia affects their emotions can help people develop resilience and build confidence. On our website, under the Parents’ Area there are lots of resources, including the presentation on The Emotional Impact of Dyslexia from the 2024 AGM. Signposting for emotional support can be found and promotion of wellbeing, including organisations and videos, which you might like to look at and share as appropriate with your children and young people.

The British Dyslexia Association offer a free study skills and revision skills webinar, training for professionals and advice sheets. https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

While dyslexic individuals may have to work extra hard in exams, finding their passion, whilst utilising their learning preferences can offer the greatest rewards. Bill Gates (Microsoft Founder) acknowledged failing some subjects in exams while his friends passed, famously noting: “Now he is an engineer in Microsoft and I am the owner of Microsoft”. Many other famous dyslexics including Richard Branson and Jamie Oliver cite early school struggles, but frequently turned dyslexia into a strength by embracing alternative learning styles, such as creativity, visualisation, and hands-on experience.

Despite attending 13 different schools and facing challenges with undiagnosed dyslexia, Dr. Aderin-Pocock remained motivated by her fascination with space. Although teachers often underestimated her due to her difficulties with reading and writing, she eventually excelled by linking her passion for science to her education. She found that her ability to understand complex 3D systems and physics was a significant strength. Today, she describes her dyslexia as a “superpower” that allows her to think outside the box. This perspective helped her earn a degree in Physics and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London.

Famous dyslexic, Tom Cruise: “Being dyslexic, I had to train myself to focus my attention. I became very visual and learned how to create mental images in order to comprehend what I read.”

We wish all our pupils the very best during the exam season, remember when it comes to UK entrepreneurs around 20% are dyslexic, so you’re in good company!

We look forward to welcoming you at our upcoming AGM on 6 th June, where we are delighted to have guest speakers Alice Hubbard who will talk us through the history of HWDA and Bertie Ballinger who will share his experience of being dyslexic.

Previous Newsletters

Previous Newsletters:

The post HWDA, CELEBRATING 50 YEARS: 1976 – 2026. WELCOME TO THE LATEST NEWSLETTER, MAY 2026 appeared first on Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association.

HWDA 2026 Annual General Meeting, Saturday 6th June 3:30pm – all welcome!

Eileen Boyd — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:59:43 +0000

This year’s AGM celebrates our 50th Golden Anniversary and we are delighted to welcome Alice Hubbard and Bertie Ballinger as our very special guest speakers.

Alice was one of the original founders of HWDA in the late 1970s and will give a talk on the origins and history of our association.

Bertie has raised money for our charity through sponsored cycle rides and he will share his family’s story on how dyslexia has impacted them.

All are welcome to come to the meeting which will be held at Worcester Workshop’s site in The Woodland Centre of Worcestershire Woods Country Park. We look forward to seeing you there!

If you would like any further information please contact: media@hwda.org.uk

A Snapshot of Our Year Since the Last AGM:

The post HWDA 2026 Annual General Meeting, Saturday 6th June 3:30pm – all welcome! appeared first on Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association.

Tutor Vacancies at Bromsgrove and Worcester Workshops

Eileen Boyd — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 22:09:01 +0000

The post Tutor Vacancies at Bromsgrove and Worcester Workshops appeared first on Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association.

Dyscalculia Day: Parent Webinar 4th March 2026

Eileen Boyd — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 13:21:26 +0000

The Dyscalculia Network are holding many events over the week including this webinar for parents. There is a small cost – tickets can be bought via the link below:

Understanding Maths Learning Difficulties: Supporting Secondary Learners Tickets, Wednesday, Mar 4 from 7 pm to 8 pm GMT | Eventbrite

Further information about the Dyscalculia Network can be found here:

Dyscalculia Network | Leading Support Network for Dyscalculia

The post Dyscalculia Day: Parent Webinar 4th March 2026 appeared first on Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association.

Dyscalculia Day Tuesday 3rd March 2026: Dyscalculia Network Offers Courses and Seminars 2nd – 6th March

Eileen Boyd — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 15:59:51 +0000

Dyscalculia Day (3^rd March) aims to raise awareness of dyscalculia and other specific learning difficulties in maths, highlight the challenges faced by those with dyscalculia and provide educational resources and promote understanding in schools, homes, and workplaces. It aims to increase awareness, reduce stigma and advocate for better support and accommodations for people with dyscalculia.

People with dyscalculia may struggle with number sense, arithmetic, understanding patterns, dealing with money and telling the time.

Get ready to join our campaign by writing to your MP using our template letters, raising funds for us and learn more by joining our excellent educator conference and webinars for parents, adults with dyscalculia and employers.

This day is part of a broader effort to improve access to learning and support for people with various learning differences. This is an opportunity to support our dyscalculia community and make a difference to millions of adults and children with this underdiagnosed and underrepresented learning difficulty.

For information about Dyscalculia Network 2026 courses and seminars follow the link below:

https://dyscalculianetwork.com/dyscalculia-day-2026/

In 2025, the BDA put together lots of free resources and information to support young learners with dyscalculia or who generally find maths tricky: these are still available on their website:

https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/news/dyscalculia-day-3rd-march

https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyscalculia

The post Dyscalculia Day Tuesday 3rd March 2026: Dyscalculia Network Offers Courses and Seminars 2nd – 6th March appeared first on Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association.

Free SEND Advice and Careers Guidance Drop In

Eileen Boyd — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 20:52:25 +0000

https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/news/sendiass-launches-new-community-initiative-connect-wychavon

SENDIASS, the county’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service, is launching a new community programme designed to make SEND support easier to reach for local families.

SENDIASS is an impartial service delivered jointly on behalf of Worcestershire County Council and Herefordshire Council, providing free, confidential information, advice and support to families of children and young people aged 0–25 with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

Although funded by both councils, the service operates independently to ensure families receive neutral and trustworthy guidance.

The new initiative, SENDIASS Connects, will see the service visiting communities across the region to bring SEND advice, guidance and training directly into local venues, helping families discover the breadth of support available where they live.

The first area to receive SENDIASS Connects is Wychavon, with activity taking place from January to March 2026. Developed in partnership with Wychavon District Council, the programme responds to the needs of parent carers who may have limited access to SEND information or find it difficult to travel to central locations.

The post Free SEND Advice and Careers Guidance Drop In appeared first on Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association.

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) E-Learning Courses and Free Template Letters

Eileen Boyd — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 21:33:39 +0000

IPSEA offer both in-depth and bite-sized online E-learning courses to help parents and professionals understand and access all aspects of SEND. Whilst there is a charge for the courses, which varies depending on length, there is very useful guidance on how to complete applications for assessments and free templates of letters you can use to correspond with education and support agencies. Explore their website for details:

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/online-learning-for-parents-and-carers?fbclid=iwdgrzaapmcexjbgnra8xx22v4dg4dywvtajexahnydgmgyxbwx2lkddm1mdy4ntuzmtcyoaabhj4qpw059f3jvgq9nebcbpou8054zju4d9nps1a7fwzxc23gckh_l1qudnwy_aem_3av6yfajvfkycavdhp5jza&sfnsn=scwspwa

All of our e-learning is based on the law as it applies in England.

The post IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) E-Learning Courses and Free Template Letters appeared first on Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association.

HWDA takes part in the Christmas Tree Festival at All Saints Church, Hereford from 30th November 2025

Eileen Boyd — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 15:56:23 +0000

Last year, HWDA took part in Worcester Cathedral’s Christmas Tree Festival. This year we are delighted to be taking part in the Christmas Tree Festival at All Saints Church in Hereford. The church is situated in Hereford’s High Street and the HWDA tree will be set up on 28th November, ready for the festival which starts on Advent Sunday, 30th November. Those familiar with the city will know that All Saints is a popular meeting place with a lovely cafe. It regularly hosts craft fairs and exhibitions and is open every day. https://westherefordteam.org.uk/allsaints/

There will be a Golden theme for our tree this year which links to HWDA’s upcoming 50th Anniversary. If you would like to make or donate a decoration for the tree, please get it to Bev Drinkwater, Senior Tutor Hereford. For further information please contact her at: seniortutorhereford@hwda.org.uk

We hope you will enjoy visiting the festival to see the brilliant decorations made by our students.

Thea made these beautiful decorations at home. Her felt Christmas mice, Rosie and Daisy, each have the most exquisite detail!

The students have been busy crafting their baubles and decorations. The precision work provides a good opportunity to put into practice spatial and design skills as well as developing fine motor skills.

The post HWDA takes part in the Christmas Tree Festival at All Saints Church, Hereford from 30th November 2025 appeared first on Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association.

Worcestershire Parent Carer Forum (WPCF) Brilliant Free Events Throughout November: Activities, Advice and Support

Eileen Boyd — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:09:00 +0000

Worcestershire Parent Carer Forum is a collective of parent carers of children with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities. Their aim is to make sure that parents’ voices are heard when it comes to planning and decision making about services for SEND children and young people in Worcestershire. For more information about the services, help and advice WPCF offers check out the HWDA Parents’ Page or follow this link to their website: https://worcspcf.org/about-us/

There are lots of free events and activities throughout November at various schools and locations in Worcestershire so why not pop along and see what WPCF is all about! Below are details of what’s happening in November as set out on their Facebook Page, which you can follow here: (1) Facebook

This week marks the start of our SEND parent carers’ events, which WPCF are hosting in primary, first and middle schools across Worcestershire. In total 31 Worcestershire schools are involved in the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools programme. PINS aims to shape and improve whole school SEND provision, with a particular focus on neurodivergent pupils – diagnosed or otherwise. WPCF’s role is to amplify the voice of parent carers and support schools in developing their parental engagement. If you are a parent or carer to a pupil at a school involved in Worcestershire’s PINS, we’re looking forward to welcoming you to one of this week’s events. Join us at:

Whittington C of E Primary School Kid’s slime making 18/11/2025, 3.30pm

Leigh and Bransford Primary School Coffee, Cake & Conversation 19/11/2025,

Abbeywood First School A Guide to PINS 19/11/2025, 2pm

LEFS Bromsgrove Anxiety, Mental Health & SEND 19/11/2025, 8.45am

Nunnery Wood Primary School Coffee, Cake & Conversation 20/11/2025, 9am

Woodfield Academy Anxiety, Mental Health & SEND 20/11/2025, 9am

Beaconside Primary School Anxiety, Mental Health & SEND 21/11/2025, 1.30pm

The post Worcestershire Parent Carer Forum (WPCF) Brilliant Free Events Throughout November: Activities, Advice and Support appeared first on Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association.

Free Course: Empowering Dyslexic Thinking in Schools

Eileen Boyd — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 20:30:09 +0000

Welcome to Empowering Dyslexic Thinking in Schools

In this course you can learn how to empower Dyslexic Thinking in schools – and at home – and why it’s vital in our AI-powered world.

You’ll learn what Dyslexic Thinking is, find out what the 7 Dyslexic Thinking skills are in kids, and learn how to spot what kind of Dyslexic Thinking archetype each dyslexic child is.

This course is led by Kate Griggs, Dyslexic Thinking expert and founder of global charity, Made By Dyslexia, and throughout the course you’ll hear from Josh Clark, Chair of the International Dyslexia Association and Head of Landmark School.

If you complete all the elements of this course’s learning and successfully pass the knowledge check, you will be awarded a digital badge which you can add to your LinkedIn profile as well as sharing it on other social media accounts.

For more information and to enrol click here: https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/course/view.php?id=15345

The post Free Course: Empowering Dyslexic Thinking in Schools appeared first on Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association.