The Bursary Fund exists to fund assessments and tuition for children whose families are unable to meet the full cost. Currently some 250 students are supported. The fund has also been used to support a small number of DI trainee teachers.

Bursaries for tuition are usually awarded for up to a maximum of six terms.  Applications have to be accompanied by full details of income, an educational psychologist’s report and a reference. New awards are given according to priority and are dependent on the availability of funds. Parents are asked to make a contribution towards tuition.

For further details of the Bursary Fund, please contact your local Dyslexia Institute or ring the Fund administrator, Sue Hazlem, on 01784 222335.

Who benefits from the Bursary Fund?

Darren (aged 10) tells his own story

‘I dowt like deslexsea I because evry body maks fun ov me and I am afraid yo tel enybody and wuns I told a grul that I was handey cabt in away and she sed ill get a bran for crismus’

Mark

At school Mark feared making mistakes because his schoolteacher left him feeling humiliated. He had difficulty concentrating, procrastinated when starting tasks or had trouble finishing them. He also had difficulty following instructions.

The Local Education Authority did not help, choosing to exclude him at 9 years old. Mark’s mum fought to have him properly schooled and at 11 he was re-admitted to school. However, nothing was done about his dyslexia. Over the next three years he attended school on only three days every third week. He was bullied and teased until eventually he could not face going to school again and missed a further complete academic year. At the eleventh hour Mark’s mother approached the DI and a bursary was arranged to allow him to attend a DI teaching Centre.

Mark’s mum said,  ‘ I saw an immediate difference once he went to the DI. He now gets up and prepares to go to his lessons. He doesn’t feel a reject from society at your Centre. He feels secure with the teacher because she takes an interest in his progress, and he feels happy to ask her questions. Before this he would not ask for fear of being humiliated.’

Other deserving cases

Typical of those applying for bursaries are:

Graham (11)

From a one parent family living on benefit. His mother is very supportive and has seen her son struggle over the last six years. His poor literacy skills are likely to create particular difficulties in secondary school.

Joanna (10)

Her mother, a single parent is a student. After struggling to pay for fees she is now no longer able to do so. Whilst receiving help Joanna did well and started to improve her very low levels of literacy – she has very poor visual and auditory skills.

Cliff (15)

One of five children, Cliff urgently needs help if he is to improve his skills before GCSEs and leaving school. He is suffering from depression, as he feels let down by the system. His family is very caring and supportive.