The Learning Loft - Information

What is the Learning Loft?

The Learning Loft is for students of all ages. Students’ ages range from 5 years to 55 years! The Learning Loft has been set up to offer tuition and assessment of children and adults who have Specific Learning Difficulties/dyslexia, in a fully resourced centre. Tuition within the student’s school hours is possible with prior arrangement. The Learning Loft also offers holiday courses, summer schools, In-Service Training to teachers and Educational Support Assistants in schools, talks to parents and interested groups and tuition and assessments within schools. The Learning Loft has produced a Literacy Learning Games Pack to help reinforce literacy skills at school and at home.

Where is it?

The Learning Loft is in Salisbury, Wiltshire and has been open since September 1996. It has been set up in the loft extension of a private house. It is fully equipped with up to date specialised resources and a computer, with two teaching areas. We aim to provide a unique environment for this specialist form of teaching.

What services does The Learning Loft offer?

We can offer a programme of assessments and specialist tuition in literacy, mathematics and study skills. Help is also available for children with motor co-ordination difficulties (eg. handwriting, hand/eye co-ordination) visual perception problems (eg. visual memory, visual discrimination, spatial organisation). auditory perception problems (eg. auditory discrimination, concentration, auditory sequential memory) Some of our pupils have been diagnosed as having ADHD and dyspraxia as well as dyslexia.

We also offer screening for Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (Irlen Syndrome).

Why do students need an assessment?

(i) An assessment enables us to pinpoint a student’s strengths, which can be built upon, and his/her difficulties, which can be remediated.

(ii) After an assessment, a programme of remediation involving the best teaching strategies and materials for that particular student can be drawn up.

(iii) Some examination boards offer dispensations for students with SpLD/dyslexia and an assessment provides evidence to present to the board.

What does an assessment involve?

A FULL ASSESSMENT takes approximately an hour and a half and involves using a number of formal and informal tests to identify present achievement levels and patterns of strengths and difficulties. Tests include an assessment of Phonological Awareness which is currently stressed as an important factor for those with Specific Learning Difficulties. Tests to determine levels in the following areas are used - reading skills, phonic skills, spelling skills, receptive language, expressive language, visual and auditory discrimination, visual and auditory memory skills, handwriting, vocabulary levels, sequencing skills, laterality, non verbal reasoning, phonological awareness, numeracy if requested. General levels of intelligence will be indicated although no IQ figures are given. Clients will have the opportunity to discuss results and will receive a full written report of the test results and teaching recommendations.
A SUMMARY ASSESSMENT takes approximately an hour and will include some of the above tests. Clients are given a short written summary of the test results.

Is an assessment always necessary?

Some students come to us with recent assessments already and in these cases a Summary Assessment is all that is required to construct a programme of work. A professional assessment enables the tutor to plan the best possible teaching programme for the student, thereby encouraging the student to make maximum progress.

What does the tuition involve?

A programme of work is designed to suit each individual depending on that student’s strengths and weaknesses. The student will follow a highly structured, multi-sensory programme based on small steps, ensuring the student achieves success. An individual lesson is planned and recorded in detail. We make lessons motivating and enjoyable to increase self esteem and self confidence.

How long are the lessons?
Lessons are an hour in length.

Is the tuition on an individual basis?
Lessons can be with an individual or a pair of students. Lessons involving pairs or small groups of students are only possible if appropriate matching of the students’ needs can take place.

Does the student need any special materials?

No, all materials, including pens, paper and files will be provided. We may recommend special dictionaries to use at home, for example, but these would be provided to use at The Learning Loft. To get the maximum benefit from their weekly lessons, it is necessary for our students to complete some homework.

How long would a student need tuition?

This very much depends on the individual and the severity and type of his/her difficulties. We offer a verbal termly review of the student’s progress, with review assessment tests and a written report towards the end of each academic year. Opportunities are given for parents to see students' work and to discuss progress.

The majority of our students are with us between 18 months to 3 years and then feel confident enough to cope on their own.

What is Irlen screening?

Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (Irlen Syndrome) is a visual perceptual difficulty caused by sensitivity to light, which affects mainly reading and writing activities. It often co-exists with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and dyscalculia and can be helped with the use of coloured overlays. The screening lasts approximately one hour and clients will receive a short written report. The assessment includes trying a series of coloured overlays to see which is the most effective at improving reading ability.

Who runs and organises it?

The two tutors have a wide variety of experience, having worked in a number of local County schools as well as in schools abroad. Both tutors have worked specifically with children with SpLD/dyslexia over the past 15 years and both have gained RSA Diplomas in Teaching Children and Adults with Specific Learning Difficulties/dyslexia. Both tutors ensure they keep up to date with the latest research, teaching methods and materials by regularly attending courses, conferences and exhibitions.