"I just wanted to put up a quick post as to why I joined the academy, my son Dexter was really struggling with phonics, we tried everything, but it just wasn't clicking, we spoke to his teacher about our concerns but got nowhere, finally I got an appointment with the school senco, where she informed me that although I was concerned, having observed my son, she wasn't concerned and that should reassure me!
I got Dexter privately accessed that week and it was confirmed he has dyslexia, it was still a shock, I didn't really know what that meant, or how to deal with it, I then joined this group, then the academy, for the price of a couple of pints and a bag of hog snacks I got access to tonnes of resources , it gave me the confidence to have a meeting with the head, deputy head and SENCO explain that this really isn't good enough, that I am über pissed that despite me raising my concerns you overlooked my child, despite only scoring 4 on the mock phonics test nothing was put in place, that they need to put in place the recommendations from Dexter’s report, and that I don't really care if I come across as a pushy parent, or “that dad”, or a bit of an asshole in fact.
This group has taught me you should always be your child's biggest advocate, I really wouldn't have had the confidence, vocabulary, or tools to do this without the academy, thanks Sarah Chapman, I’m in awe at the hours she puts into this group, every question gets answered, everyone gets the help they need, having a child with learning difficulties is isolating at times, this groups a great place to not feel alone, I should also mention since joining the academy, Dexter has gone up 4 book bands, got from counting 1-17 to 1-100 an 1-1000 in hundreds, has a support plan in place at school ..... and a new senco."
JohnOne of our Academy dad's!