17/9/2009

Ref: 090917IS

Seeking out examples of best practice for dyslexia provision within the teaching community, iansyst Ltd is calling for nominations for its Dyslexia-Friendly Best Practice Awards 2009. Drawing on iansyst’s 26 years’ experience as dyslexia specialists (www.dyslexic.com), the awards, now in its second year, are open to SENCOs and non-specialist teachers working with young dyslexic people in the UK. Celebrating the theme of Dyslexia Awareness Week 2009; “Dyslexia Strengths”, iansyst is looking for entries which demonstrate a commitment to supporting and nurturing the strengths of dyslexic students such as creativity, problem-solving and people skills.

People with dyslexia often display strengths in many other areas of learning including persistence, enthusiasm and strong artistic and musical abilities. In recognising and supporting these strengths, and providing pupils with the correct assistive technology, students can make the most of their talents and overcome any difficulties in the classroom.

iansyst is giving away three top prizes to reward commitment to nurturing dyslexia strengths. The winning SENCO will receive the latest Dell laptop with an assistive technology suite of software including mind mapping software, MindGenius;  literacy teaching software, Nessy; text-to-speech software – ClaroRead, Spell checking software – VeritySpell and audio note-taking software, Audio Notetaker - the total bundle is worth over £1,000

The two runners up will receive the latest Toshiba G810 mobile phone equipped with the UK's first mobile phone software to convert text-to-speech from a digital photograph  (CapturaTalk v2), worth £359 each.

Demonstrating your school’s commitment to promoting dyslexia strengths:

• SENCOs and non-specialist teachers (with authorisation from the Head Teacher) should write 350-400 words about how their school has promoted dyslexia strengths through the use of assistive technology and adopted an innovative way of working with dyslexic students.

• Entries should include a paragraph on the profile of the school, for example, the number on roll, and the number of staff.

Last year’s winner, Suzanne Edwards (Inclusion Manager at Notley Green Primary School, Essex) and ‘Special Award’ winner Devra Applebaum (Support Teacher from Coedcae School in Llanelli) received their coveted awards along with a range of assistive technologies to help further support their students, worth over £1,200.

To enter, please visit http://www.dyslexic.com/award or email your entry to senco-award@dyslexic.com by Friday 4 December 2009.

Entries will be judged by an expert panel and winners will be contacted by 18th December 2009. The names of the winners will be announced on iansyst’s website at www.dyslexic.com.

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