Dyslexia Friendly Approach
/web/ud-definition-of-dyslexia-dys-lexia_20251209091749450.jpg?width=640&height=480&scale=LIMIT_MAXSIZE "ud-definition-of-dyslexia-dys-lexia")
This page has a collection of useful resources and information which we hope you will find interesting and helpful. If you require further help or information, please get in touch with our school SENCo: Mrs West
In 2010 the British Dyslexia Association adopted a definition of dyslexia contained in the influential Rose Report. This definition agrees that the root cause of dyslexia is a phonological difficulty.
“Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed. Dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities. It is best thought of as a continuum, not a distinct category, and there are no clear cut-off points.
Co-occurring difficulties may be seen in aspects of language, motor co-ordination, mental calculation, concentration and personal organisation, but these are not, by themselves, markers of dyslexia. A good indication of the severity and persistence of dyslexic difficulties can be gained by examining how the individual responds or has responded to well-founded intervention”.
What is Dyslexia? CLICK HERE
Understanding Dyslexia CLICK HERE
How St Mary's supports Dyslexia and other SEN needs
/web/stmarysgraduatedresponsetosensupport_page-0001(1)_20251209124235500.jpg)
/web/stmaryssendflowchart_page-0001_20251209124406759.jpg)
Useful Links
Lots more information and resources on our St Mary's SEND Padlet - CLICK HERE
/web/sendpadlet_20251209124109049.png)
Exam Access Arrangements - Information for School Staff & Parents
(Information taken from the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) website)
Dyslexia can have a substantial and long term adverse effect on normal day to day activities, and is therefore a recognised disability under the Equality Act 2010. The Act states that schools and higher education institutions have a duty to make 'reasonable adjustments' for disabled students (including students with any learning difficulties, including dyslexia).
As well as reasonable adjustments in the classroom, schools must put in place Exam Access Arrangements, which are reasonable adjustments for candidates who have the required knowledge and skills, but who can’t demonstrate this knowledge or skills due to their disability. These arrangements must not affect the integrity of the examination or give the learner an unfair advantage.
Access Arrangements can include:
- Extra time
- A reader
- A scribe
- The use of an exam reading pen, a word processor or assistive software (screen reader/voice recognition)
- Exam papers printed on coloured paper
- Supervised rest breaks
- A separate room to take the test in
See the JCQ Access Arrangements webpage for more information.
National curriculum tests
Phonics test (Year 1)
Few children with dyslexia will have been diagnosed at this stage and this test may help to identify those at risk. Schools can adapt the test materials for pupils who cannot access the check, for example, changing the font or font size. Using coloured overlays, having rest breaks or rephrasing instructions are allowed if this is the pupil’s normal way of working.
For children who are working well below the level of the screening check (for example, if they have shown no understanding of letter-sound correspondences), there will be a disapplication process so they do not have to take part. Parents should be informed if a child is disapplied.
Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6)
National Curriculum Tests (known informally as SATs) are administered at the end of Key Stage 2 at 11 years. Permission to use some Access Arrangements, for example, extra time, must be granted by the Standards and Testing Agency (STA). Schools can decide on using other Access Arrangements such as a reader, prompt or rest breaks without applying to the STA.
The latest information can be found on the Gov.uk webpage National curriculum assessments: Key stage 2 tests.