Dyslexia + School = Trouble

13 December 2011

I was diagnosed with Dyslexia in 2003 in a Welsh infant school and at the age I was it didn't seem as a big thing. I was then diagnosed again in 2006 in an English speaking comprehensive school. Both times I was given help with my work and my exams (even if they weren't the extreemly important ones).
By the time I started my GCSE's and had decided which path in life I was going to take my help stopped. Originally I didn't think anything of it and neither did my mother. It seemed that I didn't need help with my exams because I did quite well; 1 A, 2 B's and 6 C's. I will admit now that I didn't think these were the easiest thing in the world and I now see that I really should have had help.
Then I went to the Sixth Form Centre at the school. I chose to do History, English lang, Welsh and WBQ as my AS and A-Level courses. The teachers at the school, I can not fault them. They were absolutely amazing. I have the up most respect for them and they helped me so much I dont think I could ever thank them. But then we went to see the head.
My mum went to the Headmaster of the school to talk to him about getting some help for my AS Exams (this was before Easter of the exam). He said that with my GCSE results I don't need help at all. For my mother that wasn't a pleasing answer but she felt as if there was nothing she could do.
At my exams I felt so bad. One exam paper I couldn't even read half of the question and it was a 30 mark one. I was crying my eyes out after the exam and couldn't even face the teachers to talk about the exam. I had called my gran straight away to come and pick me up and I didn't stop crying for the rest of the day. Even today my eyes tear up when I think about what had happened.
Between the exams and the summer/results AS students go back to the school to start off their A Level studies. In betweem this time my Welsh teacher told me she would try and get help for me for the exams. I talked to the Head of Year (who was also my history teacher) and he said he's help her get the support I needed. The teachers talked to the schools exam representative and she was given the results of my Dyslexia tests. However there was a problem... My results where from almost six years ago and where not valid enough for me to get help.
My mother tried to get in contact with the Headmaster but he seemed to not want to know at all. My mother tried from June till October to find me some help for my exams, but it seemed nothing was going to happen and I would always be held back by my Dyslexia. Then a rumour around the school started to spread; the Headmaster was retiering. My mother continued to try and get in contact with the Head but still no reply (if you ask me I think he doesn't care and thinks its not my problem). My mother also tried getting our MP to do something about it. He tried contacting the Head and other authorities to get me help but never replied.
In the end we gave up. But then we found the wonderful Dyslexia Action and my God am I forever greatful to them for just diagnosing me with Dyslexia. I know its a strange thing to say but it really is nice to know that everything is done and ready for my exams... (even though I'm waiting for the school to accept the diagnostic.

Related Topics getting help, Dyslexia Action, GCSEs, A-levels

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