Maths assessments

Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) in Maths and Dyscalculia

At Helen Arkell, we offer full diagnostic assessments for Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) in maths and dyscalculia.

In addition, if you have had a recent dyslexia assessment, we also offer top-up assessments if you have concerns around difficulties with maths.

We offer specialist face-to-face assessments for children and young people aged 8 and above who are experiencing persistent difficulties in maths. These may include challenges with understanding of number, sequencing, calculation, and confidence in numeracy tasks. These challenges can affect progress in school, confidence in exams, and everyday tasks involving time, money and direction.

Persistent difficulties in maths can affect academic progress, self-esteem and future opportunities. But with the right support, individuals with maths difficulties or dyscalculia can thrive—often using creative, strategic and verbal strengths to solve problems in unique ways.

An assessment will help to identify a learner’s unique profile of strengths and barriers to their learning and give practical recommendations for support.

To make sure that any maths difficulties are not down to a visual issue, please ensure the person being assessed has had a sight test in the two years before an assessment takes place.

From time to time, and subject to available funding, we are able to consider bursary applications from individuals who meet certain criteria.

Please provide the required financial information when completing a ‘make a booking enquiry’ form for the chosen service.

We will be open for bursary applications from Friday 13th March until Friday 17th April.

Due to limited funds, please note that during this round of bursary applications, certain restrictions apply and we will be unable to consider requests for bursary supported assessments where:

• The same household has already received bursary support for a previous assessment within the last 12 months

• Multiple applications for siblings are submitted at the same time; only the first application which is ready to proceed will be considered for bursary support

• The child/young person has an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP), as their individual needs will be under regular review by appropriate professionals

These restrictions are so that we can extend our support to as many families as possible.

Please apply for the type of assessment you would like. We will advise you if we think a different assessment would be more beneficial.