Tackling Dyslexia in Schools: Public Policy Exchange Webinar 3rd September 2024

This timely symposium offers local councils, education authorities, SEND professionals, specialist dyslexia teachers, children’s charities and other key stakeholders the opportunity to examine the government policy on SEND and support in schools for children and young people with dyslexia and discuss strategies for improving dyslexia support and helping those with dyslexia to meet the challenges and embrace the opportunities that dyslexia can bring. For more information you can follow this link: https://www.publicpolicyexchange.co.uk/event.php?eventUID=OI03-PPE

In 2023, the government unveiled plans for reforming the SEND system in England, which it has since been rolling out to ensure the educational system better meets the needs of all SEND pupils. In April 2024, following the failure to secure the adoption of his Private Members’ ‘Dyslexia Screening and Teacher Training’ Bill, Matt Hancock MP introduced to Parliament a modified and expanded ‘Neurodivergent Conditions Screening, Teaching and Training Bill’. The new bill aims to improve training for teaching neurodivergent pupils and ensure all children are screened before the end of primary school for neurodivergent conditions such as dyslexia. The webinar conference will consult on and discuss the following:

Assess government policy relating to SEND and dyslexia in schools and avenues for better identifying pupils with dyslexia and ensuring they can access support
Examine the Neurodivergent Conditions Screening, Teaching and Training Bill and how it could best be implemented
Learn about the latest techniques and approaches for supporting children and young people with dyslexia with their reading and literacy
Improve understanding of the reasonable adjustments that education establishments should make for pupils with dyslexia
Exchange best practice on working with children with dyslexia in schools to embrace their strengths and attributes, pursue their interests and develop their full potential
Develop strategies for improving mental health support and interventions for pupils with dyslexia
Motivating students and staff to improve engagement

According to the British Dyslexia Association, 10% of the UK population are dyslexic, with 4% being severely affected, while a 2019 global report by Made From Dyslexia estimates that as many as one in five people are dyslexic. Research published in 2022 by Made From Dyslexia suggested, furthermore, that 43% of schools in the UK fail to understand dyslexic challenges and 80% of dyslexics leave schools undiagnosed, with only one in 10 teachers in the UK having a good understanding of dyslexia. The British Dyslexia Association consider diagnosis and support to be in their worst state since government funding for dyslexia began in the 1980s.

Under the Equality Act 2010, education institutions have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) such as dyslexia. The government has put measures in place to identify pupils who are facing challenges with reading and literacy, and to help teachers understand how to support them. Its SEND Code of Practice, however, sets out that meeting the needs of a pupils with dyslexia does not require a diagnostic label or test. Instead, teachers are expected to monitor the progress of pupils and put support in place where needed. We will keep you informed of developments and outcomes from the conference as well as the progress of the Neurodivergent Conditions Screening, Teaching and Training Bill.

NSPCC: How to talk to your children about difficult topics.

The NSPCC has put together some useful information for parents on how to talk to their children about difficult and sensitive topics. They have advice to help you decide how to talk to your child in an age-appropriate and supportive way. But you know your child best, so trust your judgement about what’s going to work for them. Follow the link below to access their website: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/talking-about-difficult-topics/

“Dyslexia is a gift and I want to share it with the world.”

Follow the link to watch this inspirational interview with Hamza Yassin. https://www.facebook.com/reel/789722659345805

Study Skills: Supporting Your Child With Their Exams

At this time of year, many students will be revising for upcoming exams and so the following webinar by the BDA (British Dyslexia Association) provides useful information about how to help them prepare by developing appropriate study skills. There is also a link to a helpful guide to Access Arrangements for exams that schools and colleges should provide for children with dyslexia, such as extra time, readers, scribes and the use of assistive technology.

https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/educators/what-do-i-need-to-know/exam-access-arrangements

Dyslexic Thinking Skills

The link below to Dyslexic Thinking Skills is a user-friendly guide to how the dyslexic brain works and the strengths dyslexic thinking brings to individuals.

https://www.facebook.com/madebydyslexia/videos/906537180702592/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Can you spot a Maker a mile off?

There are 7 Dyslexic Thinking archetypes in children: ‘Maker’ is one of them. Is your child a Maker?

In the following link, featuring Made By Dyslexia founder and Dyslexic Thinking expert, Kate Griggs, you can see how to spot a Maker.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/madebydyslexia_can-you-spot-a-maker-a-mile-off-theyre-activity-7166763656129536000-3ZkA?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

The 7 Dyslexic Thinking Archetypes are:

Storytellers
Makers
Entertainers
Movers
Imaginers
Questioners
‘People’ people

Dyspraxia & Dyscalculia

In addition to supporting children with dyslexia, HWDA also supports learners with dyspraxia and dyscalculia. Please contact the Senior Tutors for more information on how we can help.

Worcestershire Learning Support Team updated their Dyspraxia / DCD Pathway information in February 2024. Details can be found here: https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-03/Dyspraxia%20Pathway%20Feb%202024.pdf

For the NHS guidance on dyspraxia follow this link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/developmental-coordination-disorder-dyspraxia

The following videos give some useful information, too.

Follow the link below for more information about dyscalculia.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/disability-63464239?fbclid=IwAR2GKCgpjpvzjTGqZwLj734x5hW1XfsCYs2vPRYGTBNsKdY-6ThkU_tWjds

Hereford & Worcester Dyslexia Association offers FREE support and advice to all parents of children with learning needs

Our Parent Support Groups offer –

practical advice and help on ways to support at home
useful technology available and support with programs or apps
opportunities to discuss realistic expectations of provision in educational environments
opportunities to talk in confidence to those with similar experiences or appropriate expertise
free events throughout the year, with guest speakers covering a variety of related topics.

Whilst Dyslexia is our primary focus, we will always try to help with any of the related Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) such as Dyspraxia, (motor skills) Dyscalculia (maths and numbers) or other similar learning needs.

Contact the Support Groups at –

Worcester – Frances Browne

Email – lexiaworcs@gmail.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/WorcesterDyslexiaParentGroup

Bromsgrove – Sally Arblaster

Email – seniortutorbromsgrove@hwda.org.uk

Hereford – Bev Drinkwater

Email – seniortutorhereford@hwda.org.uk

PDF Downloads

Click on any of the links below to download a PDF file full of helpful information…

Supporting Spelling »

Ideas to support reading »

Games to play at home to support Literacy Skills »

Alphabet Arc Games »

5 ways to support your child with dyslexia at home »

Useful Features iPad and Word »

Assistive Technology »

Parent Area

https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia

Local Area SEND Information

2022 Worcestershire Dyslexia Pathway – PDF download

https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/council-services/childrens-services/send-local-offer/send-graduated-response

2022 Worcestershire Local Area SEND – PDF download

The Local Offer puts all the information about education, health and care services, leisure activities and support groups in one place. It has two main purposes: to provide clear, comprehensive and accessible information about the support and opportunities that are available. The following two links take you to Worcestershire and Herefordshire Local Offer guidance.

https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/sendiass/sendiass-support/sendiass-guidance-local-offer

https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/local-offer

https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/support-schools-settings/teaching-children-sen-disability/2

Education Health Care Plan – PDF download

https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20546/news_updates_and_feedback_send_local_offer/1614/send_improvement_plan

Advice and Support

https://www.hwsendiass.co.uk/
Advice and support for parents struggling with schools etc

https://www.hwsendiass.co.uk/info/24/send-support-ehcps

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/
IPSEA offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

https://talking-sense.org/
Non profit help with Advocacy for SEND

https://autismwestmidlands.org.uk/

Local to Worcestershire: North Worcestershire Autism Parent Group (All welcome) Facebook page

https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/
Magazine online re SEND across UK

SEN support in Mainstream Schools – PDF download

Wellbeing and Emotional Support

Mental Health

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Wellbeing and Emotional Teams in Schools Service Video

If you are struggling with your mental health, or know someone who is, visit https://camhs.hacw.nhs.uk/ if you are a child or young person or if you are an adult visit https://www.nowweretalking.nhs.uk/ The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust have teamed up with Split Second to promote their new song, ‘Reach Out’, which talks about the impact of the pandemic on their mental health. Video produced by Harms Way. For more information on the campaign and ways you can support us please visit: https://camhs.hacw.nhs.uk/reachout-music

https://www.youngminds.org.uk

https://www.kooth.com/

https://www.hacw.nhs.uk/search/service/wellbeing-and-emotional-support-teams-in-schools-157/

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-health-development/promoting-mental-health-wellbeing#article-top

Parents – Emotionally Based School Avoidance – PDF Download

https://www.family-action.org.uk/our-voices/2022/02/10/how-to-support-your-childs-mental-health/

The following article by HWDA President, Katrina Kear-Wood, explains how occasions such as Christmas can cause sensory overload for the neurodivergent and those with ADHD and offers strategies to manage the social and emotional difficulties they may bring.

You-dont-have-to-be-perfect-this-Christmas