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Schools Information Pack#DAW24

Dyslexia Awareness Week (#DAW24) is an annual awareness campaign established and hosted by the British Dyslexia Association. #DAW24 will run from 7-13 October inclusive. This year’s theme is ‘What’s your story?’ Each day we will be celebrating our wonderful community by sharing stories - each one as individual as the person telling it.Storytelling is a powerful tool. It connects us, brings understanding and inspires, shaping how we see the world together.We are encouraging schools and educational organisations to promote story telling in their classrooms during the week. In this interactive booklet we have provided information and downloadble resources that you can use with your learners to start the conversation about dyslexia.You will find the following:• What is dyslexia?• The facts and indicators• Top tips for storytelling• Learner activities• Getting involved - Fundraise• Schools fundraising resources• Webinars• Next steps for your school - Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark• Training opportunities• Books exploring dyslexia for young learners#DAW24 - What’s your story?

Every story is different Dyslexia affects everyone differently. Every person is unique and so is everyone’s experience of dyslexia. Dyslexia impacts around 10% of the population, that’s over 6.7 million different stories to tell. Tell us your story and inspire others. A strong opening sets the sceneThe beginning of any story is crucially important. It sets the scene for everything that follows. But we hear too many stories where support wasn’t available early enough. Help us provide information and training so that more learners receive identification and support at the start of their story. It’s never too late to change your story We know that the right support at the right time can make a dramatic difference. Whether that’s later in life, in education or in the workplace. Help us support more people to start a new chapter in their own story.Our Key Messages

Dyslexia is a lifelong, genetic, neurological Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD)It affects all genders, ethnicities and social groups. It is not connected to intellectual ability and its impact ranges from mild to severe.Dyslexia is best described as a set of processing difficulties that affect learning to read and spell. But its impact goes beyond this and children with dyslexia experience difficulty in becoming automatic in all aspects of their learning and need more explicit teaching in order to reach the standards expected.There can be early indications of dyslexia such as slower development of speech and language skills, but it is usually first noticeable when a child starts school and struggles to learn to read and spell.Dyslexia affects everyone differently, and each child will have their own strengths and challenges. Dyslexia often occurs with other SpLD such as dyscalculia or dyspraxia/DCD which can further impact upon learning and development.What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia can present daily barriers at school, and a child may find it hard to thrive. They may feel shame or anxiety because of their difficulties, and this can be compounded if their challenges are misinterpreted as a lack of ability, laziness or behavioural issues. When this happens, it can have a big impact upon their confidence and self-esteem.A diagnosis can be made by a Specialist Teacher Assessor with an Assessment Practicing Certificate (APC) or an HCPC registered Educational Psychologist, but diagnosis is not routinely carried out at school and a formal diagnosis is not needed for support to be put in place at school. All schools should be identifying and supporting children who require additional support to achieve the expected literacy and numeracy skills.You can find further information about diagnostic assessments on the BDA website.

Dyslexia - The facts and indicatorsmore likely that a child with dyslexia will be temporarily or permanently be excluded from school.3.5x80%of young people with dyslexia are not identified at school.School children in the UK have dyslexia. Many are undiagnosed.

Indicators in the Early Years Foundation Stage• Family history of dyslexia or literacy difficulties• Early speech and language difficulties• Muddled words, confusion between directional words• Difficulty learning nursery rhymes and songs• Likes listening to stories but shows no interest in letters or words• Difficulty following instructions,remembering names, colours etcIndicators in Primary School Children• Slow progress in reading and writing• Written work does not match verbal ability• Inconsistent spelling• Confuses letters which look similar – for example b and d• Difficulty blending letters• Confuses maths symbols e.g. + and x signs• Difficulty sequencing alphabet, numbers, days of weekThere are a selection of Early Indicators that a child may exhibit in the classroom. Some children may have difficulties with early literacy skills – not all of these will be dyslexic. A cluster of the following may be an early indication of a dyslexic child:

Dyslexia is not a reflection of someone’s intelligence. There are many who have been diagnosed with dyslexia late in life and then gone on to excel in their field when they understand their own strengths, if only they’d been taught to value their strengths from a younger age, if only education had valued them! I like to think schools are moving in the right direction, I know ours is.SENCO, Ellesmere Port Catholic High SchoolA SENCO’s thoughts...

Storytelling is an important part of literacy. It is a fantastic way for children to practice their reading, writing, and spelling whatever level they are working at. Dyslexic learners can be extremely creative, with wonderful imagination and great stories to tell, but many can be reluctant to write stories as they can struggle to get their ideas down onto paper. This can impact on their creativity and take the fun out of sharing their ideas. Remember that there are lots of different ways to tell a story; here are some of our top tips to encourage dyslexic learners to produce a story:Top tips for storytellingPlanning a storyUse mind maps or a story mountain to help.Telling a storyGet the children to share their story verbally and ask another child or an adult to write down what they say. Perhaps they might want to use props and act it out as a little play – try to make it fun!Recording a storyEncourage children to try speaking and recording a story on a phone, tablet or other device. Or use software or an app that writes as they speak. Children love seeing their words appear on the screen as they speak.Writing a storyEncourage children not to worry about spelling or handwriting, let the ideas flow, and help them to edit afterwards.

There are brilliant resources available to support storytelling on the BBC website including interviews with celebrities that have dyslexia, and share their own experiences of learning and being in school.Scan the QR code to access the BBC 500 words resources.Being dyslexic, I never thought I’d ever write a cookbook, let alone a kid’s book. My advice to you is that I wrote most of my stuff on a dictaphone, just record it.Jamie Oliver

Learner actvitiesThese activities are designed to be used in the classroom to celebrate Dyslexia Awareness Week 2024 “What’s Your Story?” The activities can be used as stand-alone or together. Both activities are designed to support a key message of DAW24, encouraging learners to see that every story is different- because everyone is unique. It is intended that this can then be used as a lead in to talk about differences and to include dyslexia within this conversation.

Create a Book Front CoverThis activity is designed to engage all learners, recognising that some may struggle with writing and enabling them to use their imagination and creativity to share their own story through art. The completed book covers can be shared in circle time and used to highlight that every book cover is different because each cover is a picture of a story and Every story is different. Download Activity

Create a StoryLearners can create a short story – this can be real or fictional. The activity includes some downloadable worksheets offering a choice of formats together with some optional pick and choose illustrations. The activity is designed to encourage all learners to share a story. This could be autobiographical or a fantasy/adventure with a character/s of their choice. Each of their stories will be individual and demonstrate that Every story is different.Download Activity

Get Involved - FundraiseOur national Helpline provides free information and advice to people with dyslexia and those who support them. Ever year, we hear thousands of stories from members of the general public needing our help to turn the next page or start a new chapter. Help us raise funds so we can continue to provide this vital service free to all.Over the last 12 months, our free national helpline has:11%Social Media Channelsvia email33%via phone56%enquiries viaour HelplineGet involved - Fundraise

Funds a phone call sharing support strategies with an adult facing literacy difficulties.£10Funds support for up to six families desperately seeking advice on how to work with their schools to support their learners.£55Funds a live Q&A session on social media enabling us to reach a wider demographic. £72Helps fund training for four volunteers to join our Helpline team.£160If you would like to fundraise during Dyslexia Awareness Week, you will find useful resources on our website.Donate

Initially Callum was hesitant to tell anyone about being dyslexic but in time, after gaining info, figuring out what it meant to him being dyslexic and spending time with other dyslexic children as part of a dyslexic support group through school, he is now a lot more accepting and open about his dyslexia.Callum’s MumCallum takes on a ToughMudderCallum took on and completed a ToughMudder to fundraise for us.

Schools fundraising resourcesPromotional BuntingDownload, print and cut-out your own #DAW24 bunting We are encouraging schools to ask their pupils to take part in a celebration by wearing their own clothes for a small donation – whether that is the colours of their favourite sports team or clothes that represent an interest or hobby they have - and help to raise vital funds for the BDA’s national helpline. We are suggesting an optional £1/£2 donation per pupil, but this is just a suggestion. We have provided some downloadable resources that can be used to promote the event and information that can be shared with parents and carers.Download Artwork

Promotional PosterEditable poster to promote the ‘Celebration of YOU’ non-uniform day. You can add your own specific date and details.Letter for Parents and Carers An editable letter explaining Dyslexia Awareness Week and how the school is getting involved.DownloadDownload

WebinarsEarly Years and Foundation Stage24th October 7-8pmRegisterPrimary School Aged Children5th November 7-8pmRegisterSecondary Aged Students18th November 7-8pmRegisterThroughout the year we run a series of FREE webinars exploring the key aspects of this learning difference and how to support those affected by it. It’s an opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical advice on supporting individuals with dyslexia.

Please keep visiting our website to find out about upcoming webinars. Webinars are repeated throughout the year and cover a range of varied subjects.

Next steps for your school...The BDA’s Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark provides a framework for schools to improve their understanding of dyslexia and develop the support they offer to their dyslexic learners. The Quality Mark philosophy is that changing practice to accommodate dyslexic individuals results in greater levels of achievement and engagement for all learners. Our Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark will provide a framework of support and understanding to ensure that everyone within your school or organisation understands the needs of the dyslexic individual and that the appropriate resources and strategies for support are available. This award is only issued to those educators that can demonstrate that they provide high quality educational experiences for dyslexic individuals. The BDA Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark is an external sign of approval widely recognised in the UK and internationally. Above all, holding the award is a positive statement to learners, parents, staff and stakeholders that your setting is a place in which dyslexic individuals can thrive. Dyslexia FriendlyQuality Mark

Becoming a dyslexia friendly school has been an extremely positive and worthwhile journey for all of us. The process has without a doubt empowered our staff through training and policy reform...becoming a Dyslexia Friendly School has slowly fine-tuned our inclusive ethos.Rachel Fitter - SENCo, WiltshireSarah Burley, SENCo Trafalgar School at Downton and Jonathan Curtis, Director of Education for the Magna Learning Partnership Academy Trust.For more information on the Quality Mark criteria, processes and how to apply, contact the Quality Mark Team: QualityMarkEd@bdadyslexia.org.uk

Training opportunitiesThe British Dyslexia Association has a comprehensive training programme delivered by experienced and professional trainers. Our training is delivered in a number of different formats and in varying lengths.As an education professional or support worker you may wish to further develop your knowledge of dyslexia and dyscalculia, you can find a course to suit your needs. Courses can lead to an accredited level 2 or Level 3 qualification and provide CPD for teachers and education practitioners.Live Virtual TrainingWe provide a rolling programme of free live information webinars to members of the public and also run paid-for live half and full day virtual training courses on specific topics, such as: • Practical Solutions for Dyslexia.• Screening for Dyslexia.• Fundamentals of Dyscalculia or Maths Learning Difficulties. For further information and to check out our virtual training courses scan the QR code or visit here.

Live Bespoke TrainingWe provide live information webinars, virtual training and in-person sessions about dyslexia, dyscalculia and supporting individuals with specific learning differences to schools and other educational settings. Sessions can be individually tailored to suit your needs. Previously delivered sessions include: • Busting myths about dyslexia. • Dyslexia awareness and supporting strategies for SENCOs. eLearning/Online trainingWe provide flexible learning options through e-learning. These courses are suitable for parents, carers, teachers. A broad range of topics are available such as:• Fundamentals of dyslexia awareness.• The dyslexia friendly learning environment.To discuss your requirements or book a bespoke training session for your organisation please e-mail us at onsitetraining@bdadyslexia.org.uk For further information and to check out our e-Learning courses scan the QR code or visit here.

Teaching Dyslexic Students: Theory and PracticeThis BDA developed guide, assists you in supporting children and students with dyslexia and specific learning difficulties through their education. Designed specifically for candidates on Level 5 diploma courses in dyslexia and specific learning difficulties, this hands-on guide is the perfect training companion for those wanting to know more about dyslexia and how to support individuals with dyslexia.You can order your copy here.This comprehensive, clear, evidence-based and practical book is a much-welcomed new resource for trainee specialist teachers to support them on their journey towards becoming qualified.

Here are a few book suggestions that cover dyslexia in a range of styles, all encourage children to be mindful of the differences that exist between their friends and classmates and to be aware that all children, regardless of their talents, learn differently. Please note selected books are not endorsed by the British Dyslexia Association.Books exploring dyslexia - young learnersIt’s Called Dyslexiaby Jennifer Moore-Mallinos Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be Dyslexic? This sweet story is empowering and will inspire you to be the best you can be!The Boy Who Stole the Pharaoh’s Lunchby Karen McCombieThis engaging time-slip adventure, features dyslexia as part of the storyline, ideal for reluctant or dyslexic readers.

The Wildstorm Curseby Eve Wersocki Morris This is a spine-tingling adventure that weaves in history, thrilling action scenes and ultimately showcases the power of storytelling. Kallie has dyslexia, but she can still use words powerfully, which is a message all children need to hear.Fish in a Treeby Lynda Mullaly Hunt An emotionally-charged, uplifting novel that will speak to anyone who’s ever thought there was something wrong with them because they didn’t fit in.Tom’s Special Talent by Kate Gaynore It encourages other children to be mindful of the differences that exist between their friends and classmates and to be aware that all children, regardless of their talents, learn differently.

bdadyslexia.org.ukBritish Dyslexia Association is a registered charity in England and Wales (289243). Registered in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee (1830587).