Why I started the Thorpe Dyslexia Centre

I started the Thorpe Dyslexia Centre (TDC) in 1999, mainly as result of the pains and sufferings of my own experience of the mainstream school system both as a parent and as a student.

I, myself, am dyslexic and I was student in the 1970's and 1980's and the experiences from this time motivated me to start the TDC to ensure that local children could get access to quality 1 to 1 teaching that I know would have benefitted me during my time as a student.

I was left to get on with my work and my troubles were that I couldn't read it, let alone start writing anything in response.

My peers would call me a baby or even worse stupid which, of course, had a dramatic affect on my confidence.

Having gone through the educational system as a dyslexic I believe I am in a unique position of being able to empathise with the student and work individually with their strengths and weaknesses. Having been there, I fully understand the frustrations and emotions that they are currently going through and help the student express these frustrations and release them.

The aims of the Centre

My aims for the TDC are that I wish to provide students who are having a tough time at school an environment where they are safe and secure, in a 1 to 1 situation. Hopefully, they learn to accept their dyslexia and work with it and improve their reading and writing. I aim to improve their confidence and self-esteem. The student will learn it's ok to make mistakes, they will be in a non-judgemental situation where mistakes will be explained and worked on.

The student will also learn that they are not stupid and that dyslexia is not a condition that should hold them back. Richard Branson and Jackie Stewart are both dyslexic and have lived very full and successful lives. The student will leave the TDC with their confidence on the up and with hope for a better future and not to hate their dyslexia but embrace it.