At St John’s, we value and celebrate the diverse ways that children think, learn and express themselves. Dyslexia and dyscalculia are specific learning differences that can affect how children process written or numerical information.
Dyslexia primarily affects reading, writing and spelling, and can also influence memory, organisation and processing speed.
Dyscalculia affects the understanding of number concepts, recall of number facts and the ability to perform accurate or fluent calculations.
Children with these learning differences often show remarkable creativity, problem-solving skills and verbal strengths. Our role is to build on these talents, remove barriers and ensure every child can experience success.
We recognise that dyslexia and dyscalculia affect each child differently, so our support is always tailored to individual needs.
In school, we:
Use multi-sensory teaching methods that combine visual, auditory and hands-on learning.
Provide structured phonics teaching and targeted reading and spelling interventions for dyslexia.
Offer practical, concrete and visual approaches to develop understanding of number for children with dyscalculia.
Adapt classroom materials with clear fonts, consistent layouts and visual supports to make learning accessible.
Encourage pupils to use assistive technology, such as maths manipulatives or audio books.
Plan lessons with small, achievable steps, allowing children time to practise and consolidate learning.
Work closely with parents to share strategies that support learning at home.
Our staff receive regular training through our inclusion work, ensuring that teaching approaches across the school are inclusive, evidence-based and responsive to children’s needs.
If you would like to learn more about dyslexia or access local support, the following resources may be helpful:
If you have any concerns that your child may be showing signs of dyslexia or dyscalculia, please speak to their class teacher or to our SENDCo. We will work together to gather observations, put support in place and, if needed, explore further assessments through the appropriate channels.
At St John’s, we believe that with the right understanding and strategies, every child with dyslexia can achieve their full potential and truly shine.