British Dyslexia Association calls for national strategy to support pupils

The British Dyslexia Association has urged the government to create a national dyslexia strategy after research found that many children with the condition feel excluded from the education system.

Its findings come from a new report – ‘Set up for somebody else’: Young people with dyslexia in the education system – which aims to “shine a light on the experiences and challenges of our dyslexic children and young people in school”. 

It found that dyslexia affects more than one million children across the UK. Despite its prevalence, the association said most pupils with dyslexia are not formally identified and often have to navigate school without suitable help.

According to the findings, based on research with children, young people and their parents, nine in 10 young people and their parents judged the child’s life to be “more difficult” than that of their peers. 

While some recognised the positive aspects of dyslexia, many reported low self-esteem, embarrassment and anxiety, and called for greater understanding in the education system.

The association said early identification is “crucial” but too often missed. Although a formal diagnosis can improve access to support, it added that financial barriers mean assessments are not equally available to all families.

Whilst almost two thirds of children and young people surveyed felt the support they receive for their dyslexia at school is “good”, more than a third described it as only “fair” or “poor”.  They described inconsistencies in support, a lack of knowledge and understanding of dyslexia amongst their teachers, and feeling singled out. 

Parents expressed frustration over limited access to assistive technology and the “rigidity” of the curriculum and assessments, despite evidence that such tools can improve outcomes.

Despite these challenges, the report noted optimism among families about the potential for reform and set out several recommendations.

Among its proposals, the association called on the Department for Education to:

• Make children with dyslexia a policy priority by developing a National Dyslexia Strategy and appointing a dyslexia lead to help improve annual data collection and reporting on children with dyslexia in schools

• Ensure early identification through the roll out of a universal assessment pathway, develop a simple, in-classroom screening tool and review the Year 1 Phonics Check

• Establish a national standard of special educational needs support and set out “clear expectations” for initial and ongoing CPD training for teachers and school staff in relation to dyslexia

• Widen the curriculum to include explicit teaching of assistive technology and vocational pathways alongside GCSEs and ensure GCSE assessment techniques better reflect the skills of all learners

Theo Paphitis, dyslexia empowerment patron of the British Dyslexia Association, said: “This report is important in understanding the lived experience of dyslexic young people; shining a light on how dyslexia really affects daily life, their experience of education and importantly their wellbeing. 

“This report is a window into the impact of dyslexia on them and their families, something I know all too well, and why I and my business, Ryman, are delighted to sponsor it. The report champions early diagnosis, meaningful support, and the empowerment of those with dyslexia, encouraging every individual to positively achieve their potential.” 

He added: “I was the young child in school who struggled and did not receive the support needed, and although I knew I was just as capable as my peers, reading and writing presented challenges that I had to overcome with different workarounds, many of which still help me today. Yet, it does not have to be so difficult. 

“The findings in this report show that we need to go further – ninety percent of young people with dyslexia, and their parents, find life more challenging than their peers without dyslexia. Let’s change this.”