At St Hugh of Lincoln, we believe that every child is a unique gift from God. We celebrate each child’s individual strengths and support every learner to flourish, no matter how they learn best.

Some children may face challenges with reading, writing or spelling. These may be signs of dyslexia – a common learning difference that affects how information is processed. With the right support, children with dyslexia can thrive and reach their full potential.

We are committed to identifying needs early, putting the right support in place, and working in partnership with parents and carers.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a specific learning difference that primarily affects:

Reading and word recognition
Spelling and writing
Memory and processing speed
Organisation and sequencing

It is not related to intelligence – in fact, many children with dyslexia show strengths in creativity, problem-solving, and big-picture thinking.

Every child with dyslexia is different. Some may show only a few signs, while others may need more support across a range of areas.

Working Towards the Trafford Dyslexia Aware Quality Mark

We are proud to be working towards achieving the Trafford Dyslexia Aware Quality Mark – a recognised award that celebrates schools who provide inclusive, effective and supportive provision for children with dyslexia or literacy differences.

To gain this award, we are:

Reviewing and adapting our whole-school teaching practices to make them dyslexia-friendly
Providing ongoing staff training on dyslexia awareness and strategies
Ensuring our environment and classrooms are inclusive and accessible
Listening to the voice of pupils and families with lived experience
Using screening tools, interventions (like IDL), and pupil tracking to support progress
Promoting a culture of understanding, not labelling — valuing strengths and meeting individual needs

This award will further strengthen our commitment to helping every child with reading and writing challenges feel supported, confident, and capable of success.

How We Identify and Support Dyslexia

At St Hugh of Lincoln, we use a graduated approach to support all learners. For children showing signs of dyslexia, we:

Observe and assess difficulties using classroom observations, spelling/reading tools, and pupil voice
Put in place support strategies, including targeted interventions and classroom adaptations
Work with parents to share observations and agree next steps
Refer to external professionals, such as Trafford’s specialist teachers or Educational Psychology Service, if needed

While a formal diagnosis isn’t always necessary, we always respond to needs, not labels.

In-School Support May Include:

Small-group or one-to-one phonics and reading support
Coloured overlays, reading rulers or larger font texts
Access to audio books or dictation tools
Extra time or modified tasks for writing
Use of visual prompts, chunked instructions and repetition
Regular movement breaks to help with focus
Emotional support to build confidence and reduce anxiety
IDL Intervention Programme

What is IDL and How Does It Help?

At St Hugh of Lincoln, one of the key interventions we use is IDL – Indirect Dyslexia Learning, an evidence-based online programme designed to improve reading and spelling for children with dyslexia or literacy difficulties.

IDL is:

Highly structured, multisensory and personalised to each child
Delivered through short, focused sessions at school
Proven to boost confidence, reading fluency, and independent learning
Accessible to children with low self-esteem or anxiety around reading and writing

Children enjoy working on IDL because it gives instant feedback, builds skills step-by-step, and allows them to see their own progress. We’ve seen real improvements in both literacy skills and self-belief.

Working Together

We believe that working closely with parents and carers is essential. You know your child best, and your insight helps us to provide the right support.

We will keep you informed, involve you in review meetings, and offer practical ideas you can use at home. You’re always welcome to speak to your child’s class teacher or our SENDCo Claire Jackson if you have any concerns.

Useful Links for Families

British Dyslexia Association
Practical information, tips and downloadable resources for parents and schools.
https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

Nessy – Learning Support for Dyslexia
Fun, accessible learning tools and games for children with literacy difficulties.
https://www.nessy.com

IDL Literacy Programme (More about IDL)
Information about the programme we use in school to support reading and spelling.
https://idlcloud.co.uk

Trafford Local Offer – SEND Services
Information on local assessment and support services for children with SEND.
https://www.trafford.gov.uk/localoffer

Dyslexia Assist – By Parents, for Parents
Parent-run website with advice, stories and toolkits.
https://www.dyslexia-assist.org.uk