A successful new way to teach children with dyslexia is to be used in UK inner cities.

The scheme, named Springboard for Children, has had a 96 per cent success rate in returning children with severe literacy problems to mainstream classrooms.

The majority of pupils are two years behind their peers when they are referred to Springboard. By the time they return to lessons they have a reading age comparable to their classmates.

It is currently used in 12 schools in Manchester and London, but will be rolled out to 10 other areas, helping about 10,000 pupils.

It is backed by the British Dyslexia Association, and has achieved a 90 per cent success rate in helping children with severe literacy problems back into mainstream schools.

It targets children as soon as a reading problem is noticed, often within their first term at school.

The pupil then has intense one to one tuition for up to two years.

Springboard uses games, quizzes and reading to improve the child's skills, and aims to help children experience joy from reading.

In one session children match names of animals and objects on a dozen cards with those on a tray. If they get them all right the tray flips over to form a perfect pattern.

The scheme was set up by Jane Hastings from Peckham in 1992, who devised the programme after becoming concerned about literacy in the area.

She volunteered to teach at 530-pupil Oliver Goldsmith Primary, and the scheme is credited with moving it off the list of failing schools compiled by government watchdog Ofsted.

Headteacher Mark Parsons said: "Springboard has made a significant contribution to improving educational standards and coming off special measures."

And the need is great. There are an estimated 250,000 'functionally illiterate' pupils in schools throughout England and Wales.

November 13, 2007

With many thanks to the Daily Mail.