Choosing the right education for your child is a big decision that every parent faces, and it can be made even harder if your child has dyslexia.

Mainstream schooling sometimes cannot meet the needs of children and young people with dyslexia or complex needs. Staff may simply not have the training or resources needed to create the right learning environment for them, which can often lead to feelings of low self-esteem, shame, anxiety and even school avoidance.

Fortunately, there are a growing number of schools across the UK that cater specifically for one learning need, such as dyslexia. They offer a learning environment and teaching methods proven to help pupils with dyslexia without adopting a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.

Specialist dyslexia schools cater to each child and tailor their learning according to how their dyslexia presents itself. The teachers fully understand the many ways dyslexia can present, and this is key to creating a non-judgemental, inclusive school.

We work with many of these fantastic schools across the country to ensure children and young people with dyslexia are correctly supported and can thrive in their education and future careers. The Unicorn School, Burlington House School and Fairley House School are all examples of exceptional dyslexia schools we have recently worked with.

What makes a dyslexia school different?

As well as having teachers who are fully trained to understand and meet the needs of pupils with dyslexia, dyslexia schools are equipped with specialist teaching materials, technology and learning aids, like overlays or soft coloured paper, specifically designed for pupils with dyslexia.

They also have smaller class sizes, with usually no more than 12 pupils in a class. These are also mixed ability classes, designed not to have an impact on a child’s confidence and self-esteem.

Within these small classes are also opportunities for one-to-one tuition bespoke to each individual’s needs, helping them to build trusted relationships with their teachers.

The curriculum for each child is adapted at the point of delivery to focus on their preferred learning style. This could include hands-on learning and visual aids to build core skills like literacy or using technologies like reading pens or voice-to-text software.

Most schools also use a method called ‘overlearning’ to continuously recap and build on skills and improve memory and confidence too. Crucially, the pupils’ dyslexia is considered in every aspect of their studies and school life because the teachers understand it can affect more than just reading and writing.

Dyslexia schools also pay close attention to their students’ learning environments and well-being. Classrooms are designed to be calmer learning spaces with reduced clutter and sensory input to avoid distractions and overwhelm.

They take a holistic approach to education and often include play therapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy on-site as part of day-to-day school life.

Well-being is central to their ethos. They understand that having dyslexia can cause feelings of frustration, low self-esteem and anxiety and they work with pupils to develop positive attitudes towards themselves and their learning. They celebrate the many unique talents that dyslexia can bring, including greater creativity and entrepreneurial skills, and teach pupils that dyslexia does not define them or their potential in life.

Want to know more?

We welcomed the head of a specialist dyslexia school onto our SEN Talks podcast to find out more about life and learning at a specialist dyslexia school. You can listen here.