New initiative between the University of Chester and local schools helps develop a dyslexic inclusive classroom environment
Thursday 27 April 2023
A new initiative by the University of Chester School of Education, in partnership with schools of Ellesmere Port in Cheshire has been set up to share knowledge, experience and examples of good practice to support children with dyslexia.
Sarah Guest, Programme Leader for the at the University set up a 鈥渨hole town鈥� working party to enhance support for the estimated 1,400 dyslexic school pupils across the town of Ellesmere Port, an urban town on the banks of the River Mersey. The initiative was set up in partnership with Ellesmere Port Catholic High School, which itself has just gained the BDA鈥檚 Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark Award. The group consists of a representative from each of the primary and secondary schools across the town. Their aims are:
- To engage in Knowledge Transfer work, upskilling staff in their knowledge and understanding of dyslexia.
- To work collaboratively for the benefit of all learners in the town, by sharing examples of current good practice that make learning more accessible and inclusive.
- To provide parity for dyslexic students in terms of timely and appropriate levels of support, regardless of which setting they attend. This will ensure that transitions between settings are smooth and informed.
The group鈥檚 first project has been to develop a dyslexia inclusive classroom resource. Inspired by established resources such as the BDA鈥檚 Classroom Checklist, the group developed its knowledge of typical characteristics of dyslexia, researched strategies and shared examples of good practice in order to create their own inclusive classroom resource, which is uniquely rooted in the lived experiences of practitioners across Ellesmere Port.
Sarah explains; 鈥渢he aim was to raise the profile of dyslexia by producing a resource that would develop the knowledge and understanding of dyslexia inclusive strategies among classroom practitioners across the town with a supportive set of adaptations.鈥�
Justin Madders, Member of Parliament for Ellesmere Port and Neston, recently joined academics from the University鈥檚 to celebrate how the collaboration with Ellesmere Port schools is making a difference for young people.
The MP visited Ellesmere Port Catholic High School on 21st April and heard about the work from representatives of the School of Education鈥檚 Academic and Professional Programmes (APP) Department as well as representatives from the local primary and secondary schools. The BDA鈥檚 Dyslexia Friendly School Quality Mark Manager, Claudia Cotton, also attended the event. She said 鈥渋t is great to see all phases of education working together to create equitable learning opportunities for those with Dyslexia and indeed all pupils within the local community.鈥�
The event marked the project entering its second phase; presenting the resource 鈥榖ack to the town鈥�, with the support of Mr Madders, and considering how it will be disseminated in a way that empowers classroom practitioners to embed and reflect upon it in their everyday practice, to have the greatest impact on young people in the town. Mrs Vicky Marsland, the SENCO and Assistant Headteacher at Ellesmere Port Catholic High School expressed her hope that the resource would contribute towards 鈥渃reating a classroom environment where everyone flourishes and sees their strengths and contributions are valued.鈥�
Mr Madders commented on the genuine collaboration and sharing of excellent practice by the schools and University for the benefit of students.
Sarah added: 鈥淎s a University, we are driven by the principles of inclusion; an inclusive classroom is one in which all learners are supported to achieve, allowing talent to flourish.
鈥淲e are passionate about using our skills to make a difference to the local community and are delighted to be working alongside colleagues in Ellesmere Port schools. There is a real desire to make a tangible difference to the educational experience and outcomes of the young people across this town and we, at the University of Chester, are keen to play our part.鈥�