ISC sends response to the Guardian

14 March 2008

The Independent Schools Council's Education Counsel, Sarah McKimm has written a letter to the Guardian following their 'Two million children have dyslexic-type reading difficulty, study claims.' story.

Letter to the Guardian 

Dear Sir,

Dyslexia is indeed an area of great concern (Reports, March 14) and independent schools would echo this sentiment. As recognised by Xtraordinary People founder Kate Griggs, the independent sector commonly provides excellent environments for children with special educational needs. In fact, many hundreds of parents every month call the Independent Schools Council (ISC) parent helpline after their child has experienced a long period of failure in the state system with no prospect of appropriate targeted help for their special educational needs being forthcoming.

Independent schools are often smaller than their neighbouring maintained schools and are able to provide the nurturing environment, smaller classes and high level of adult attention that children with additional needs require to access the curriculum. Specialist independent schools are leaders in the excellence of their provision for children within their speciality. For example, all but five of the 80 dyslexia specialist schools accredited by CReSTeD are independent schools of which 61, including the one chosen by Ruth Kelly, belong to ISC member associations.

Sarah McKimm
Legal Counsel
Independent Schools Council