文轩探花

Twenty three local schools 鈥� teaching 10,000 children - have just earned the鈥�文轩探花鈥檚 (BDA) Dyslexia-Friendly Quality Mark, a huge achievement that highlights their dedication to making learning inclusive for everyone.聽

This isn鈥檛 just a shiny badge. It鈥檚 the result of months of hard work from teachers, teaching assistants, governors, parents, and students, all working together to create classrooms where every child鈥攄yslexic or not鈥攃an thrive.

What is the Quality Mark?

The BDA Dyslexia-Friendly Quality Mark is a real gold standard. It means a school has met high standards for supporting students with dyslexia, from early identification to tailored teaching strategies. It鈥檚 about making sure no one gets left behind. You can find out what it entails here.

The Wiltshire Specialist SEN Service (SSENS) team were instrumental in helping schools reach this milestone. They provided training, support, and guidance every step of the way. A spokesperson from SSENS shared:

鈥淲e鈥檝e seen incredible commitment from schools. During our visits, we witnessed skilled teaching, meaningful relationships, and calm, nurturing environments where learning differences are truly valued.鈥澛�

A community effort聽

Caroline Fowke from the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association couldn鈥檛 be prouder:聽

鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled for the 15 schools being celebrated at the event鈥攁nd for all the others who鈥檝e completed the process. These awards show just how committed our schools are to supporting every learner.鈥澛�

And Ellen Broom茅, CEO of the BDA, added:聽

鈥淲ith at least three children in every classroom affected by dyslexia, this kind of inclusive approach benefits everyone. These Wiltshire schools are leading the way 鈥� councils up and down the country should look to follow this example of how to take a whole council approach to being dyslexia friendly.鈥澛�

Time to celebrate!

It was great to see representatives of the schools at a celebratory event at Trowbridge County Hall. We were also joined by Councillor Jon Hubbard (Cabinet Member for Children鈥檚 Services, Education and Skills), who shared his own experiences of growing up with dyslexia, and Professor Joel Talcott delivered a presentation about his work developing a new universal screener being piloted with a selection of schools in the county.

There was even a special message from Jamie Oliver:

"Huge congratulations to all the incredible people in Wiltshire who鈥檝e gone the extra mile to become dyslexia friendly. That鈥檚 no small thing 鈥� it takes heart and real commitment. And to the 10,000 kids now learning in spaces that truly see and support them, you are brilliant. Big love to everyone making this happen."