TEACHERS WELCOME REPORT ON DYSLEXIA
Specialist teachers at Sibford School near Banbury have welcomed a Government report, which officially recognises dyslexia as a learning difficulty.
The report, by Government adviser Sir Jim Rose, calls for greater expertise on dyslexia in all schools and says that good quality teaching in children’s early years is vital.
Sibford School has 420 pupils aged between four and 18, of whom around a third are dyslexic but who follow the main school timetable thanks to specialist support.
Director of Learning Support, Clare Kent, said: “The fact that this report provides a definition of dyslexia is a great step forward and will hopefully ensure that all dyslexic children will in future receive the support and help they need to reach their full potential.”
In a recent competition held at Sibford School, pupils were asked to explain what dyslexia meant to them.
One Year 9 pupil described dyslexia as ‘like thinking outside the box … only you’ve lost the keys and can’t get back in again.”
Another said: “To me dyslexia is not a learning disability it is a way to see life differently and to have challenges day by day.”
And in the junior school comments included: “Being dyslexic isn’t bad … it just means you need more help’ and ‘dyslexic people have a good chance to be famous’.
Sibford School is renowned for its work with dyslexic pupils and is recognised by CReSTeD, the Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils, who earlier this year praised the school for ‘developing the whole child’ and offering ‘the best opportunity’.
And a recent report by the Independent Schools Inspectorate classified the Sibford’s provision for pupils needing specialist support as ‘outstanding’.
Michael Goodwin, head at Sibford School said: “Children who suffer from dyslexia can achieve exceptionally well as long as they are given the opportunity to grow in confidence and competence and to make the most of their talents.
“The facts speak for themselves. Only last year, one of our severely dyslexic pupils achieved three straight A grades at A Level in Religious Studies, Media and English … a fantastic achievement for any student.”
Sibford School, Sibford Ferris, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX15 5QL Telephone: +44 (0)1295 781200