Britain's education system is failing people with dyslexia, plunging many sufferers into a life of crime, the chairman of a specialist Sedgemoor school warned this week.

New research published recently shows that while only 10% of people in the UK have dyslexia, some 60% of prison inmates are affected by the condition.

That's not because dyslexics are pre-disposed to criminal behaviour, but because of the lack of opportunities and education which many dyslexics receive.

At least, that is the opinion of David Atkinson, chairman of Edington and Shapwick School, which specialises in teaching children who have dyslexia.

Speaking at the school's recent speech day, Mr Atkinson warned parents: "Dyslexia poses far greater problems than society has previously understood. New research shows that dyslexia is filling this country's prisons.

"Loss of confidence, self-esteem and deep frustration were all experienced by those who suffered (dyslexia) and these create a background that could lead to crime.

"Specialist schools such as Edington and Shapwick, set up to teach the dyslexic, are obliged to wage an ongoing battle to achieve adequate education authority support and funding.

"Without specialist education there can be no solution to the prison problem."

See Tuesday's Mercury for mor eon this story - or share your views in our forum now.

by Simon Angear
Saturday July 14, 2007

With many thanks to the excellent Bridgwater.