Vicky Brighton, Author at Helen Arkell

Level 5 & Level 7 Specialist Dyslexia Teachers and Assessors Celebrate Graduation

On Friday 19th September our newly qualified Level 5 & Level 7 Specialist Dyslexia Teachers and Assessors celebrated their graduation ceremony at The Memorial Hall, Farnham with family, friends and staff from Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity.

Graduates from our 24/25 cohort proudly received their certificates, marking the end of an incredible year of hard work. This year’s graduation ceremony was kindly sponsored by Barrington Stoke, the award-winning dyslexia-friendly publisher, who design their books with the needs of dyslexic and reluctant readers in mind.

A special thank you to Katrina Cochrane who as guest speaker, presented the certificates and gave a fascinating welcome presentation.

Katrina is one of the UK’s leading experts on Dyslexia and Learning Difficulties with senior teaching and management experience gained at major Dyslexia charities, including Head of Education and Policy at the BDA. Author of several books and articles on dyslexia and the owner and founder of Positive Dyslexia Ltd. Positive Dyslexia was set up in 2016 by Katrina to raise awareness of dyslexia to schools and organisations, alongside being a provider of training and assessment, and running events and conferences.

Claire Harvey, Head of Education at Helen Arkell said, “It was an absolute privilege to watch our trainee specialist assessors and trainee specialist assessors develop their skills over the last year as they trained with us. They all worked extremely hard and should be very proud of all they have achieved. These specialist teachers and assessors will go on to help hundreds of individuals with dyslexia in the future, supporting them with their learning and to achieve their chosen goals, ultimately making a real difference”.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to make this evening so special and a huge congratulations to all our graduates.

If you want to find out more about these courses, information for the 25/26 entry for our Level 5 and Level 7 courses is available here.

By Vicky Brighton|2025-10-31T10:41:13+00:00September 30th, 2025|Course news, Team blog|Comments Off

Dyslexia Awareness Week – FREE SPOTLIGHT SESSION!

Join us during Dyslexia Awareness Week for a free online talk led by Claire Harvey, Head of Education at Helen Arkell.

Spotlight Title: Top Tips for Supporting the Development of Spelling Skills

Date: 6^th October 2025

Time: 6:00-7:00pm

Cost: Free of charge – book here

We know that learners with dyslexia can struggle to acquire spelling skills leaving many with significant difficulties that persist long-term. This talk will briefly touch on why spelling can be problematic for learners with dyslexia, the potentially damaging impact of weak spelling, and the types of errors commonly seen. Most importantly, this talk will provide attendees with some top tips for how to support the development of spelling skills.

Delivered in Dyslexia Awareness Week and free of charge, this online talk will be of interest to both parents and education professionals.

During the talk, Claire will be introducing the new Helen Arkell Spelling Journal, a super useful personal resource for learners to look up spellings, bypassing difficulties, and allowing all the wonderful words that may lie in their oral lexicon to be used in their writing.

For more information about the spelling journal, please visit our shop.

By Vicky Brighton|2025-10-31T10:40:39+00:00September 9th, 2025|Course news|Comments Off

Research Survey – Using A.I to support your learning as a dyslexic student

Are you a dyslexic student or graduate in the UK? Share your experiences with memory and learning tools in higher education to help shape future support—take part in this important PhD survey by Ayo Bamgbose from the University of Greenwich.

This survey is part of a PhD study by Ayo Bamgbose, a dyslexic adult learner and researcher at the University of Greenwich. The research explores how dyslexic students experience higher education, especially in relation to memory challenges and the use of assistive or AI-based learning tools.

It was important for Ayo to carry out this research, as one of her biggest challenges throughout her studies has been memory retention and recall. Through using AI tools, she has experienced many positives, along with a few challenges. This study aims to learn how others perceive these tools, what’s working well, and how they can be improved to better meet the needs of dyslexic learners.

The survey is open to anyone in the UK who identifies as dyslexic and is currently studying, or has previously studied, at college or university level.

You can access and take part in the survey here.

The survey is open and will remain available until 30 November 2025.

By Vicky Brighton|2025-09-08T13:00:20+01:00September 8th, 2025|Latest news, Research news|Comments Off

Barrington Stoke Sponsors Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity Graduation Ceremony for 2025

We’re thrilled to announce that our 2025 Graduation Ceremony this September will be proudly sponsored by Barrington Stoke – the award-winning publisher making reading accessible for all!

With 25+ years of expertise in dyslexia-friendly publishing, their support celebrates our newest specialist teachers and specialist assessors and our shared mission, helping every child with the chance to become a reader.

Barrington Stoke is renowned for publishing short novels by some of the UK’s most celebrated authors.

Their expertly crafted books are designed to offer a quick, engaging win for confident readers, and a meaningful, achievable experience for those who face greater challenges. Their pioneering use of a specially designed font and carefully selected paper colour ensures that every title is super-readable and dyslexia-friendly, reflecting a mission closely aligned with our own.

“Watching our specialist teachers and specialist assessors graduate is always a deeply moving moment. Each one has worked incredibly hard to reach this point, and we know they’ll go on to change lives. Having Barrington Stoke sponsor this year’s ceremony means a great deal to us, not just because of their generosity, but because they truly understand the power of accessible reading. Together, we’re championing a future where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to read.”

— Claire Harvey, Head of Education, Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity

By Vicky Brighton|2025-10-31T10:42:46+00:00August 22nd, 2025|Course news|Comments Off

Rooted in Community: Squire’s Garden Centre Supports Helen Arkell

Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity Named Charity of the Year by Squire’s Garden Centre, Badshot Lea

We are delighted to share that we have been selected as the Charity of the Year by Squire’s Garden Centre in Badshot Lea, near Farnham.

This exciting partnership was chosen by Squire’s staff, who are passionate about supporting the local community. We are incredibly grateful for their enthusiasm and commitment to our cause.

With the support of Squire’s customers and team, we look forward to raising vital funds to help us continue providing specialist support, advice, and information to people with dyslexia, as well as to parents, teachers, and employers.

In addition to fundraising, we hope to be able to collaborate on specific projects, benefiting from the time, skills, and expertise that Squire’s staff may offer. As part of our collaboration, we’re exploring ways we can offer the Squire’s team our workplace sessions, providing valuable insights into dyslexia and how to support those affected.

We’re excited to see this opportunity take root and flourish — helping us reach more people with dyslexia and make a lasting difference in their lives.

By Vicky Brighton|2025-08-20T16:45:34+01:00August 20th, 2025|Fundraising news, Latest news|Comments Off

Thank You, Co-op!

We’re thrilled to share that the amazing team at Co-op Ash Street Branch have donated £250 in Co-op Gift Cards to Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, thanks to the Local Community Fund and the incredible support of Co-op Members like you.

This generous gift will help fuel our fundraising efforts, allowing us to reach even more families affected by dyslexia. From assessments and tuition to empowering workshops, every penny goes toward life-changing support that helps children and adults thrive.

Want to keep making a difference? Choose Helen Arkell as your Co-op cause and you could win £500 for yourself and £5,000 for us just by spending £5 in store. All you need to do is:

download the Co-op App
click the ‘Discover’ tab at the bottom
tap on Member Prizes

👉 Support us here: Co-op

Thank you!

By Vicky Brighton|2025-10-31T10:41:46+00:00August 19th, 2025|Fundraising news|Comments Off

Charity Quiz Night – Raising the bar!

Fundraising Quiz Night!

Help support our work by taking part in the charity quiz night on Thursday, August 7th at the Hogs Back Brewery. Join our teams to test your knowledge and have fun!

All money raised from the £2 entrance tickets goes to supporting people with dyslexia.

To book, please visit the Hogs Back Brewery website.

By Vicky Brighton|2025-09-08T15:47:00+01:00July 29th, 2025|Fundraising news|Comments Off

Catch Up This Summer with Helen Arkell’s Spotlight Sessions

Summer is here and what better time to dive into the knowledge-packed Helen Arkell Spotlight Sessions you might have missed over the past year?

Whether you’re an educator, parent, or someone passionate about supporting individuals with dyslexia, these sessions offer on-demand access, accompanying handouts, and incredible value at just £10 each. Wherever you are, you can learn at your own pace, whenever it suits you.

Choose From These Insightful Topics:

📖 What Makes Reading Worth It? Reassessing Reading Motivation in the Context of Dyslexia. What makes someone want to keep reading a book? Are people with dyslexia less motivated to read? Find out more here. 📖

🧩 You Don’t Get an EHCP for Dyslexia: Demystifying the Issues Around EHCPs. Decode the complexities around Education, Health and Care Plans and what they mean for those with dyslexia. Book your place here. 🧩

➕ Top Tips for Supporting Numeracy. A practical, easy-to-apply guide to boosting numeracy skills in children who learn differently. Find out more here. ➕

🎓 How to Be a Dyslexic Grade-Riser – And Ace Your Exams. Discover empowering techniques that help dyslexic students rise through the grades with confidence. To book a place and learn more please click here. 🎓

📘 How to Use Toe-by-Toe for Optimum Results – And Improve Reading Accuracy. Make the most of the Toe-by-Toe approach with expert advice on improving reading accuracy. Learn more here. 📘

🔤Reading High Frequency Words – How to Improve Reading Accuracy and Fluency. Enhance fluency with tips and techniques for mastering high-frequency words. Find out more here.🔤

🧬 New Thinking About Dyslexia – The New Delphi Definition. Take a look at the latest research and thought-leadership redefining dyslexia today. Learn more here. 🧬

🗣️ Listening to Children with Dyslexia – Delivered by Margaret Rooke. Why being listened to is so important for children with dyslexia by renowned author Margaret Rooke. Find out about the spotlight here. 🗣️

Browse all available Spotlight Sessions on our courses page.

By Vicky Brighton|2025-09-08T15:47:41+01:00July 10th, 2025|Course news|Comments Off

Celebrating Inclusive Culinary Creativity: Helen Arkell attends the launch of ‘Deliciously Dyslexic’

Last week we were thrilled to attend the launch of Deliciously Dyslexic, a truly inspiring new cookbook by the talented by baldchefnick.

Designed with accessibility at its heart, this culinary gem is a game-changer for anyone who finds traditional cookbooks hard to navigate.

In the Great Kitchen at The Royal Pavilion in Brighton, Nick and fellow supporters welcomed staff from Helen Arkell to the launch which included some tasty nibbles and drinks, all from recipes inspired from the book. Following a very successful fundraising raffle on the night, we are pleased to say we have raised nearly £900 for Helen Arkell.

If you’re looking to support inclusive design and delicious food, this is one you won’t want to miss, and we think it makes an excellent birthday or Christmas present for all readers!

Deliciously Dyslexic is available to purchase from Amazon and all main bookstores.

By Vicky Brighton|2025-09-08T15:48:15+01:00July 8th, 2025|Fundraising news|Comments Off

Morph Mastery Course: Practical Tools for Supporting Dyslexic Learners

Join Louise Selby at Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity on Monday 29th September for a Morph Mastery training course – a hands-on opportunity to explore effective ways of teaching spelling, reading and vocabulary through morphology.

Based on research, this course introduces ten adaptable strategies ideal for learners with dyslexia and specific learning difficulties. Designed for ages 9–13 (but easily extended to other age groups), the approach is structured, multi-sensory and flexible enough for classroom, group or one-to-one teaching.

Spaces are limited; book early to secure your place.

To book please visit Louise’s webpage here.

About this Course

Morph Mastery is both an intervention and a resource book offering practical ways to teach spelling, reading and vocabulary using morphology (the system of language based on prefixes, suffixes and roots). It is based on research into what works for learners with specific learning difficulties and dyslexia. It’s multi-sensory, structured and can be adapted and personalised. The intervention is aimed for ages 9 – 13 but the strategies can be used with a wider age range in groups and class.

This is a practical course in which you learn ten key strategies in Morph Mastery which you’ll be able to adapt to your setting, whether it is whole class teaching, group work, or 1:1.