Wiltshire school mark Dyslexia Awareness Week with engaging public art project.

A Wiltshire dyslexia school decided to mark Dyslexia Awareness Week (1st - 7th November) with an engaging public art project in Salisbury. Appleford School in Shrewton is a specialist school for pupils with dyslexia and associated learning difficulties. Head teacher Lesley Nell says “As the theme for this year’s awareness week was Dyslexia Strengths, we decided to get our message out to the wider community who often see dyslexia as a negative.” The term ‘dyslexia’ is Greek for ‘difficulty with words’ and affects how pupils read and write. “People often focus in on this, rather than seeing that it can actually be a gift in some ways,” says Lesley. “Dyslexics often make up for their difficulties by developing other talents such as visual creativity which lead to fields of work such as inventors, artists, engineers, architects and performers. This is in much the same way that blind people can develop their hearing.” “For the project, our pupils typed out what dyslexia means to them. Their insights were hung from colourful ribbons adorning a beautiful magnolia tree in Elizabeth Gardens, Salisbury, near where Constable painted his famous picture of Salisbury Cathedral. The park is well used by the public and they took the time to read some of the children’s comments. Pictures are available on the Appleford School website along with all the quotes from the pupils: www.appleford.wilts.sch.uk/news.html. The website also offers a free fact sheet on dyslexia written by educational psychologist Dr Peter Gardner: www.appleford.wilts.sch.uk/pdf-factsheets-form.html “We have been really pleased with the results and enjoyed working on the project,” she says. Edward, aged 11, wrote: “Being dyslexic is good because your brain can be wired up in a different and brilliant way,” Jamie, aged 12 wrote: “Being dyslexic has made me think more, so I love taking things apart and seeing how they work,” and Fenella, 11, wrote: “Being dyslexic is good because people are beginning to understand how I feel.” “We hope that this project made a positive contribution to the understanding of dyslexia and brightened up a corner of the park at the same time” adds Lesley. ENDS Editors notes: Appleford is a co-educational school for children aged 7-14 with dyslexia & associated learning difficulties.

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