West Buckland School

How Quality Teaching unleashes Creativity in students with Dyslexia

As part of Dyslexia Awareness Week last week, we have been focusing on how we might further improve our support for teachers to get the best out of all students.

Assistive Technology and the Inclusive Classroom

‘It’s time we all understood dyslexia properly as a different thinking skill-set, not a disadvantage.’ Sir Richard Branson – Ambassadorial President ‘Made By Dyslexia’

During half term, our INSET day will include a workshop for teachers about Assistive Technology and the Inclusive / Dyslexia-Friendly Classroom. Due to the smaller class sizes here at WBS, our teachers know their students well, which usually produces the best outcomes for all types of learner.
Teachers at WBS use personalised approaches for specific learning needs, which are moulded into a core strategy. This holistic approach means that most individuals’ needs are met. Getting it right for one often means getting it right for many.

This is the central tenet of the Quality First Teaching (QFT) style. QFT emphasises high quality, inclusive teaching for all pupils in the class. It may include differentiated language, strategies to support SEN pupils’ learning in class and ongoing formative assessment while keeping all types of learners stimulated.

Celebrities harnessing dyslexia for creativity and innovation

With 10-15% of people having dyslexia, we should also highlight the positives of dyslexia. Some of our greatest artists, sportspeople, innovators and thinkers have dyslexia, with Richard Branson and Stephen Hawking being just two.

‘Made By Dyslexia’ is a global charity led by a cohort of celebrities and individuals who support the charity by contributing their personal insights. It’s important to show our students that having dyslexia can be a gift: thinking differently or ‘outside the box’ is why many entrepreneurs are dyslexic and why many big companies are now looking at employing those with learning differences, because they bring something different. Why would we not want to promote and celebrate that?

‘Many still perceive dyslexia as a disadvantage, when actually it’s a different way of thinking that, if harnessed, can lead to success. Education systems aren’t designed for dyslexic thinking and most teachers aren’t trained to identify dyslexia, meaning many dyslexics go through life without knowing they’re dyslexic or understanding their brilliant potential. We want to ensure all dyslexics are identified, inspired and enabled to reach their full potential’. Sir Richard Branson – Ambassadorial President ‘Made By Dyslexia’