The Dyslexia Committee has had a very productive term so far, with pupils exploring what dyslexia is, how it can affect learning, and how we can make our school environment more inclusive and supportive for everyone.
Understanding Dyslexia
We began by looking closely at what dyslexia actually is. Pupils learned that dyslexia is a difference in the way the brain processes language, particularly reading, spelling and writing. It is not related to intelligence, and many dyslexic learners think in creative, visual and problem‑solving ways.
We also discussed what dyslexia can feel like. Committee members explored real-life examples and shared how challenges with reading or remembering information might impact confidence, organisation or classroom tasks. This helped us build empathy and understanding across the group.
Strengths of Dyslexic Learners
A big focus has been celebrating the strengths that often come with dyslexia, including:
- Creative thinking
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Big-picture thinking
- Visual learning
- Resilience and determination
We highlighted how these strengths are valuable in school and in future careers.
Famous Dyslexic Role Models
To help pupils see dyslexia in a positive light, we looked at celebrities and successful individuals with dyslexia. This included actors, athletes, entrepreneurs and authors who have spoken openly about their experiences. Their stories helped show that dyslexia can be a source of strength and innovation.
Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts
The committee explored which fonts are easier for dyslexic learners to read. We looked at:
- Arial
- Comic Sans
- Verdana
- Century Gothic
- OpenDyslexic
We discussed why these fonts help — clearer letter shapes, wider spacing and simpler forms.
Supports We Use in School
We reviewed the supports already in place across the school, such as:
- Coloured overlays
- Reading rulers
- Digital text-to-speech tools
- Chunked instructions
- Visual timetables
- Dyslexia-friendly classroom displays
- Access to laptops or tablets for writing tasks
The committee also began exploring other tools that might be helpful, including apps, browser extensions and additional assistive technologies.
Creative Projects
To raise awareness in a fun and memorable way, pupils have been working on raps and songs about dyslexia. These celebrate strengths, challenge misconceptions and help spread a positive message across the school.
Next Steps
Our next big goal is to present to each class and demonstrate how to use our dyslexia‑friendly reading pens. Committee members will explain what the pens do, who might benefit from them, and how they can support reading independence.
