Signposting - Schools & learning - Two Wiltshire Primary Schools Receive the BDA Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark

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12 Wiltshire schools achieve national Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark

Twelve schools across Wiltshire have achieved national recognition for high standards in education for dyslexic pupils.


The secondary and primary schools have been awarded the Dyslexia-friendly Schools quality mark which recognises effective practice supporting pupils with dyslexia and literacy difficulties.

The British Dyslexia Association award is issued to schools or organisations that can demonstrate that they provide high quality education and/or practice for dyslexic individuals. Obtaining the Quality Mark provides a framework for schools to improve their understanding of dyslexia and literacy difficulties and to develop strategies that support the achievement and engagement of dyslexic learners.

The schools have been supported by the Wiltshire Specialist SEN Service (SSENS) on a two-year project to become accredited. Following the success of the project, the council has launched a second project which will train and support a further 15 schools to achieve the quality mark from September 2023.

The 12 schools who have been officially recognised as dyslexia friendly schools are:
• Malmesbury C. of E. Primary School
• Lyneham Primary School
• Kings Lodge Primary School
• The Clarendon Academy
• The Trafalgar School
• Zouch Academy
• Royal Wootton Bassett Academy
• St Mark's C. of E. Junior School, Salisbury
• St Peter's C. of E. Primary School, Salisbury
• Southbroom St James Academy
• Sarum Academy
• Wilton C. of E. Primary School

Cllr Jane Davies, Cabinet Member for SEND, said: "I'm delighted that 12 of our schools have been successful in obtaining the Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark. Achieving this award is a positive statement and lets everyone know that the school is a good place for dyslexic individuals. Wiltshire Council has supported these schools and is committed to the dyslexia-friendly schools project, with a further 15 schools across Wiltshire aiming to also achieve this quality mark in 2022-23.

"Becoming a dyslexia-friendly school requires the involvement and commitment of all of those within the school, and a review of the school's approaches to: teaching and learning; monitoring and assessment; differentiation; and high-quality practice across the range of ability and need.

"Well done and congratulations to both schools and the council specialist SEN Service for all the hard work and commitment to supporting young people with dyslexia and their families"

One of the schools to achieve accreditation was Royal Wootton Bassett Academy. Reflecting on the process to become a dyslexia friendly school, Headteacher Anita Ellis, said: "At Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, we strive towards inclusivity and equity and we recognise that still, even with these aims in mind, that barriers still exist for many of our learners and colleagues. The journey that we have been on to gain the Dyslexia Friendly Schools Award has not been about the award itself, but through individual experience we have sought to become more equipped with specialist knowledge and skills to bridge the gaps that exist, and to help us overcome some of those barriers.

"It has been an insightful journey and has taught us to see the learning experience through dyslexic eyes, and this in turn has opened up new thinking and approaches for all students and colleagues."

Anyone who would like to find out more about dyslexia in Wiltshire can attend a drop-in event to mark Dyslexia Awareness Week at County Hall, Trowbridge on 5 October 2023.


The Wiltshire Parent Carer Council meets regularly with a member of the Specialist SEN Service team, along with the dyslexia support organisations in Wiltshire (the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association and Marlborough and District Dyslexia Association). We discuss dyslexia strategy/awareness, events and training for parent carers and professionals, and it also gives us a good opportunity to share the feedback on common themes we hear from parent carers in Wiltshire about dyslexia. If you would like to share your feedback now or in the future, please email participation@wiltspcc.co.uk.

For any questions about dyslexia support, please contact our WPCC SENDIS team as usual and we will do our best to signpost you, and/or contact one of the dyslexia organisations in Wiltshire. Their details can be found [here].

There's also a leaflet for young people, parent carers and schools produced by the Wiltshire Council SSENS team – [Dyslexia in Wiltshire 2022].