Top-level researchers from the Government have visited a Staffordshire school to help them to prepare a report into the needs of dyslexic students.

The team visited Maple Hayes School, Lichfield, to learn more about how the school is overcoming reading and writing difficulties. Maple Hayes is an independent school which specialises in teaching pupils with dyslexia.

It also plays a big part in helping parents to access funding necessary for their child’s education.

The Government has commissioned a report into fulfilling the needs of dyslexic pupils, and a group of Maple Hayes parents had the opportunity to share with the researchers their experiences in getting their children’s needs recognised and met within the mainstream education system.

Headteacher Dr Neville Brown provided information to the researchers about the extent of under-achievement amongst schoolchildren in the Midlands.

Dr Brown, a dyslexia expert and founder of the school in Abnalls Lane, said: “The researchers spent the entire day with us and our pupils seeing how our methods combine day-to-day learning with literacy skills. They were able to ask the children about their experiences before coming to Maple Hayes.

“The team also met with parents and heard many stories with similar themes.”

Dr Brown said it was difficult to get a child’s needs identified in the first place, and parents face a battle with local authorities for them to provide appropriate education.

“On average, the timescale from recognising that a child has dyslexia to actually getting the right provision for them is around four years. This represents a third of their entire school life.

“We look forward to seeing the report’s recommendations in the spring, and hope that it ultimately influences the reduction of red tape in the system and the conflict with education authorities that so many parents and children experience in the quest to get the right education for their children.”