The Dyslexia Outreach Team is staffed by 5 experienced teachers, all of whom hold specialist qualifications for the teaching and assessment of pupils with dyslexia.
The team works in partnership with schools to improve outcomes for learners who have significant difficulties acquiring literacy skills. Children and young people do not need a diagnosis of dyslexia to access the service however evidence of a dyslexic profile is required.
Core Offer (free to Academies and LA Maintained schools)
Our core service works with schools to best meet the needs and improve outcomes for individual students at Key Stage 2 and 3 who are not making expected progress following school intervention assessment of literacy need and action planning with student, staff and parents/carers defines the level of support offered. This may include some of the following:
- Modelled teaching
- Staff mentoring in the delivery of appropriate intervention
- Advice around dyslexia friendly resources, intervention and strategies
- Observations
- Advice around assistive technology
- Motivational strategies for reluctant readers and writers.
The core offer is accessed through a referral process. Please see our referral route and form below. Referrals will be considered by the team on a fortnightly basis.
Traded Service:
Schools can access our traded service at any time. Please find a list of what we offer below:
- Consultation Meeting: This uses school data, examples of work and teacher knowledge to inform discussion around individual student’s literacy needs. Recommendations around approaches, strategies and interventions would form the outcome of such discussions. Parental / Carer permission to discuss individual students is required. A consultation summary will be provided.
- Assessment of Individual Student’s Literacy Needs:
This involves direct assessment work with a student. Assessment of reading and spelling using standardised assessment tests will be administered, alongside discussion exploring the student’s own perception of their literacy ability and skills base. School data, examples of work and teacher knowledge will also be used to develop an overall profile of current literacy ability and areas of need.
A report will then be written containing the conclusions of the assessment process and recommendations for appropriate approaches, strategies and interventions. Parental / Carer permission is required to undertake such an assessment.
- Diagnostic Assessment: A diagnostic assessment includes a background interview, literacy assessments, psychological assessment which explores underlying cognitive abilities, questionnaires and a handwriting assessment.
School progress data, examples of work and teacher knowledge will also be used alongside the above battery of tests to produce a comprehensive educational assessment. This will include identification of key strengths and areas of weakness, post assessment analysis, an individual intervention plan and learning strategy recommendations. Parental / Carer permission is required to undertake such an assessment
- Staff Training The service offers a range of training packages, twilight training and accredited courses advertised on Suffolk CPD online, Staff meetings and PD days. Below is a list of some of the packages we offer:
- Dyslexia and the Primary/Secondary Classroom
- Dyslexia Awareness ‘What is Dyslexia’
- Understanding and developing strategies to teach Phonological Awareness
- Exploring best practice strategies to promote effective spelling
- Exploring Working Memory
- The Simple View of Reading
- Sessions on a range of literacy interventions
- Bespoke training packages can also be arranged upon request.
- Gateway Accredited Level 3 TA and teacher training on Dyslexia Awareness and Supporting Learners with Dyslexia.
Mission Statement
ENABLING ALL CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DYSLEXIA TO THRIVE
BY:
- Promoting resilience, independence, well-being and strengths
- Partnership with schools, ensuring a sustained impact
- Promoting high expectations from teachers, staff, pupils and parents for what all children and young people can achieve, in line with the Raising the Bar agenda
- Supporting schools to create positive and inclusive classrooms where all children learn effectively
- Working with schools to remove barriers to learning and supporting children and young people to develop positive strategies to promote independence
- Raising awareness of current thinking around dyslexia by providing high quality accredited trainingopen to all schools
Referral Form and Guidance
Information for parents and carers
Useful websites
The Suffolk Dyslexia Association gives information and support to parents of school age children and adults about dyslexia.
The Dyslexia-SpLD Trust informs, advises and signposts parents, teachers and local authorities about training, interventions and research regarding dyslexia.
Dyslexia International promotes teacher-training programmes, based on the latest research, to ensure that literacy is taught as effectively as possible in classrooms around the world
The Professional Association for Teachers and Assessors of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD): Patoss offers its members a range of services to help them in their day-to-day work.
Xtraordinary People believes that with the right support, dyslexic people can achieve extraordinary things. Their aim is to ensure that anyone with dyslexia can be empowered to succeed.
The British Dyslexia Association aim to influence government and other institutions to promote a dyslexia friendly society, that enable dyslexic people of all ages to reach their full potential.
Dyslexia Action offer a range of products and services for people with dyslexia, employers and educators.
Helen Arkell offer a range of products and services for people with dyslexia, employers and educators.
Calibre Audio Library is a national charity providing a subscription-free service of unabridged audio books for adults and children with sigh problems, dyslexia or other disabilities, who cannot read print.
Load2Learn provides accessible textbooks and images to support dyslexic, partially sighted or blind learners who have difficulty reading standard print.
The Communication Trust is a coalition of organisations who work together to support everyone who works with children and young people in England to support their speech, language and communication.
NASEN support all staff in meeting the needs of pupils in schools and settings through promoting education, training, development and support.
Crick Software develops practical educational software to benefit all learners.
Upcoming dyslexia training
Dyslexia Awareness and Supporting Learners with Dyslexia: Gateway Level 3 Accredited Double Award SCH 18/149
Dyslexia Awareness: Gateway Qualification Level 3 Accredited Course SCH 18/155
Getting the most from your iPad; using the free inbuilt tools for accessibility SCH 18/155