Central Flooring Services Ltd is one of the UK’s premier indoor sports floor installers offering a nationwide service throughout the UK with a free site survey and quotation.

We pride ourselves with ensuring very high standards of workmanship at every level with our operatives directly employed and receiving thorough training in all areas with full NVQ schemes. All employees have CSCS cards and site supervisors have CITB training certificates.

Central Flooring Services are the only approved Herculan indoor sports surface installers in the UK and apply a wide range of systems all of which are tested to the European Standard EN14904.

We also offer a wide range of flooring solutions which include: sports halls, swimming pool surrounds, changing rooms, toilets, wet rooms, kitchens and many other sectors.

Our clients include Main Contractors, Universities, Colleges, Schools, Academies, Local Authorities, Prison Authorities and Private Clients.

Central Flooring Services are a CHAS accredited company and have achieved ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001 Certificates.

When Flying Start tool one look at the Outdoor Play People’s web site and Facebook page we were blown away with the amazing projects and play equipment that they have built and installed.

Located in St. Columb Major in Cornwall, Outdoor Play People are a family run company with ideas and expertise that put other play equipment companies in the shade.

They offer a comprehensive range of outdoor play equipment for play spaces to help develop and maintain children’s desire for adventure play and they have the experice to do it successfully as their highly motivated team of specialists have designed and installed hundreds of playgrounds throughout the UK and overseas, developing the project from your initial ideas, through to the planning and installation of the play area.

Outdoor Play People have a superb range of playground equipment that is high in play value, safe and stimulating. Using designs that have been tried and tested for over 30 years. Their ‘designed to last’ play equipment has been developed by some of the greatest designers in the world; children!

All of their products are manufactured in-house by their own creative and dedicated team, using high grade, carefully selected materials. From first point of contact, Outdoor Play People work with the customer to provide exactly what is required. Their portfolio of successful installations and happy customers is growing and with their experience and enthusiasm you can guarantee you’re working with the right Outdoor Play People!

Outdoor Play People offer an extensive range of outdoor play products suitable for a wide variety of client and venue which includes agility courses, the tower play pick and mix range, themed play, farm play, climbing frames, play houses & forts, special needs, outdoor furniture, the list is enormous.

Outdoor Play People believe that their after sales support is unrivalled and they provide all of the necessary training for you to operate your outdoor play area equipment both safely and efficiently.

Outdoor Play People give you a complete outdoor adventure play service backed by over 30 years of experience in the industry from people you can trust!

Take a look at Outdoor Play People’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Outdoor-Play-People/411480545566858 ) and find out about some of the projects that they have been installing like the ones below.

A Truro School is investing a lot of money in outdoor play and making use of an unused bank. This is the design for the project that Outdoor Play People are creating.

Children’s Hospice SW have placed an order with Outdoor Play People for Special Needs play equipment for the children at Little Harbour. A wheelchair Swing, a Satellite Carousel and a Swing frame that includes a Birds Nest Swing seat as well as standard flat seats. This will allow the children of Little Harbour to enjoy some outdoor play fun with their friends and family. Outdoor Play People have donated the Swing Frame to them free of charge.

Haynes Motor Museum has undergone a £4,000,000 revamp and Outdoor Play People’s play area was part of the improvement programme. The customer wanted a Motor Themed play area that would engage a whole range of age groups and abilities. The customer also wanted to make use of some of their existing equipment which we reconfigured and themed to match the theme of the play area. I think you will agree the lads did a great job of manufacturing and installing this play  of some of their existing equipment which we reconfigured and themed to match the theme of the play area. I think you will agree the lads did a great job of manufacturing and installing this play area. The customer was so pleased that on handover day Mike Penn gave Cathy a big hug. We will stay in touch with Haynes to make sure the play area continues to work well and make any adjustments if and when they need them.of some of their existing equipment which they reconfigured and themed to match the theme of the play area.

If you like the look of what Outdoor Play People can do, you can get in touch with them via their web site at http://www.outdoorplaypeople.co.uk/contact.php or email them directly on info@outdoorplaypeople.co.uk or call them on 01637 881444

Hydroseeding is a seeding technique that involves the preparation of a hydroseed medium that combines seed and specialist mulch products with water. Hydroseeding has a number of advantages over conventional seeding techniques and as a result has become increasingly popular in the UK. The mulch in the hydroseeding mixture helps to maintain the moisture level of the seed and achieves rapid germination, accelerated growth and increased seeding success compared to standard methods.

Oliver Brown Ltd is a market leader in the sector. Based in the East Midlands at Newark-on-Trent, OBL offer a nationwide service and operates a number of dedicated hydroseeding units each designed to cope with even the most demanding site requirements. The fleet enables OBL to offer cost effective hydroseeding solutions in variety of challenging environments; our smaller hydroseeding machines are able to access those hard to reach areas of site, and where access is unrestricted, our 2750 litre machines are available to seed high volume areas quickly and with excellent results.

OBL use FGM (Flexible Growth Medium) and BFM (Bonded Fiber Matrix) hydroseeding products that provide superior erosion control and rapid turf establishment. Unlike traditional blankets, these specialist erosion control mulch products bond directly to the soil surface, providing a stronger hold and requiring less surface preparation. When installed properly by a professional hydroseeding contractor, these products create an erosion control blanket, effectively ‘locking-down’ the soils, whilst the seed germinates in the mulch. Specific products can remain in place for up to 24 months until the grass is strongly established, and only then will it break down organically. FGM products can be used on saturated areas, and can also be used for dormant seeding during winter or summer.

An example of Oliver Brown’s work is the Ralph Thorsby School. As specialist hydroseeding contractors, OBL were contacted to assist and advise at The Ralph Thorsby School in Leeds; hydroseeding was required on a steep bank that had been deteriorating for some time and was depositing large amounts of shale debris on the playing fields below.

Conventional seeding was not an option as the bank was too steep and the shale substrate to poor for seed to germinate successfully. Using a Hydroseeding mulch, the process proved so successful in stabilising the bank, OBL were swiftly commissioned to carryout further works at The Shakespeare School nearby.

Here another bank required hydroseeding; poor quality ground conditions and high pupil traffic had left the area looking untidy. The OBL team quickly seeded the area, using a hardwearing amenity mixture combined with a high nutrient mulch to promote rapid establishment.

Both projects were completed during term time and OBL operatives received CRB checks and operated under strict security measures.

The Ralph Thorsby School banking before Hydroseeding by OBL

The Ralph Thorsby School banking after Hydroseeding by OBL

At Witham St Hughs, a public open space, OBL took on a huge transformation of land that involved landscaping and earthworks with site fencing and security, 3500 cubic metres of topsoil and regrading & reprofiling security bunds. As the project developed, football pitches were created, additional drainage ditches were cut and headwalls installed increasing the contract value.

All earthworks and drainage were completed within a 5 week period during July and August, to utilise the fine weather. Within this period, a further 1000m of 3m wide, timber edge hoggin footpath was installed, with long sweeping curves and disability ramps, to aid access for all users.

Witham St Hughs

Witham St Hughs

Oliver Brown Ltd have a fantastic team that second to none; they are all hydroseeding professionals and every staff member understands what quality delivery looks like, how it can be achieved and how to find solutions as problems arise. On-site Health and Safety is of paramount importance – OBL is committed to working safely; their health and safety systems and policy are embraced by all staff and every OBL employee is CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme), CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) and NPTC (National Proficiency Test Council) certified and Oliver Brown Ltd is a CHAS accredited contractor – The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS) is a nationally recognised health and safety pre-qualification assessment scheme so you can rest assured that you will always get a quality job done with excellent service.

You can find out more about Oliver Brown Ltd and see more examples of their work by visiting their web site www.hydro-seed.co.uk and you can contact Oliver Brown Ltd via email info@hydro-seed.co.uk or through the contact form on the web site. If you wish to call them you can phone on 0845 094 5384.

Within the current financial environment, where schools are feeling the pinch and budgetary restrictions are taking place year on year, the chance to provide permanent protection for sports pitches and courts without the vast cost of construction is an obvious attraction to heads and bursars. The use of an Airhall has been a viable solution for a number of years and Flying Start spoke to Nigel Geach, Managing Director of Bridome, the longest serving and most trusted supplier of airhalls in the UK,  to find out more.

Bridome was founded by Nigel and Stephen Proctor in 1986 when similar financial restrictions to the present day were the norm. They became the UK company of Plasteco Milano of Milan, Italy who offer a wealth of technical back-up and expertise from both the factory in Italy and the distribution arm in Stamo, Belgium.

Taking advantage of a Lawn Tennis Association initiative to provide indoor facilities for all, Nigel and Stephen saw an opportunity to offer a low cost solution to a problem faced by many schools, clubs and leisure industry service providers. Since that point, Bridome has installed over 80 facilities across the UK for customers ranging from Premier League Football Clubs to small tennis clubs.

Airhalls consist of soft roof membrane structures supported by air pressure, which gives protection from the elements, requires no construction time in terms of footings etc. and are relocatable. Erection and removal can both be done in hours and they can be fabricated to accommodate virtually any shape and floor plan.

For many schools, outdoor sports spaces such as tennis courts, basketball courts, hockey pitches, football pitches etc. can become unusable throughout the winter months thus restricting the sports that a school can offer to its students. To build a permanent sports hall also restricts the school by taking away outdoor pitches and involves months of planning and construction not to mention the costs involved.

Bridome airhalls are versatile in that they can just as easily be used as a permanent building as a relocatable one and come in different specifications to accommodate this. However, all of them allow sufficient light to penetrate the covered area via the pvc skin and windows. The airhall is non-combustable and the whole structure is extremely rigid and hardwearing. With numerous anchors, there is no danger that the airhall will come loose and be affected by the wind and the diesel generator means that even if the electricity supply should fail, the airhall will remain inflated.

With over 25 years of experience, Bridome have successfully supplied and installed Airhalls in many locations. Based in Wisley, in Surrey, Nigel believes that Bridome offer a number of  benefits to prospective customers that include savings on heating, installation of artificial lighting, long life span and sound absorbtion thus elimanating echo. Added to this the cost savings and Bridome believe that they have a winning solution.

A fine example of Bridome’s work can be seen at Chelsea Football Club where a Bridome airhall covers one of the maintraining facilities and also the Dukes Meadow Tennis centre at Dukes Meadow Golf Club in London, (see pic right)

which covers 5 tennis courts for 6 months of the year allowing the community to play tennis on a “pay and play” basis all year round. The latter project has had the backing of Tim Henman and Jo Durie and the winter usage would not have been possible without the Bridome airhall.

Things have come a long way since 1986 and Bridome have moved with the times. As technology has changed, Bridome have updated their inflation machinery, lighting and backup systems. This has meant that they are able to provide an even more comprehensive energy saving package for the client.

In looking towards the future, Nigel hopes that the current trend for providing new facilities at a reasonable cost will continue and fuelled by Lottery funding and the success of the Olympics, there will be a real drive to provide sports facilities for all, in both schools and community. Bridome have a number of projects on the books but planning and financing can take time to organise for the client but with Bridome’s help and advice, many more successful installations are envisioned for the future.

For more information about Bridome you can access their web site at  www.bridome.com or email info@bridome.com

To contact Bridome by phone just call 01932 350365 or you can get in touch by post at the following address: The Courtyard, Wisley, Surrey, GU23 6QL

We have 43 years of experience in supporting teachers and in delivering educationally focused courses, including specific ones’ at both GCSE and A Level. Both our fully qualified teaching staff and associate tutors and artists have a significant breadth of experience and qualification which allows them to engage students and inspire them to achieve to the best of their ability. They can help teachers organise a progressive programme of residential activities to meet their desired aims and objectives.

The centres are accredited by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority, carry Learning Outside the Classroom Quality badges and hold the Gold Award through the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres.

We are more than happy to offer teachers a free inspection visit to give them an opportunity to see the relevant centre and the range of facilities and potential programmes.

When HRH the Duke of Edinburgh agreed to chair a committee designed to promote compassion, skills, physical fitness and initiative in 1956, he could never have imagined the growth and impact that the award scheme would have around the world. The program was founded on the principle of no competition and no membership requirements and expanded upon an earlier scheme originated by Kurt Hahn known as the Moray Badge.

Aim High Expeditions have become a specialist organising company for the Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions and all of their Duke of Edinburgh’s award instructional team hold national governing body awards. In addition to this each member has experience of the award, its training framework and requirements, thus ensuring their training is safe, specific and enjoyable.

Aim High Expeditions was founded by Perry Symes and Jacques Moore-Hurley through a passion for the outdoor environment and a desire to share this passion with others. They pride themselves on providing the highest quality of professional service. They told Flying Start, “Whether you are doing your Bronze qualifying venture in the Ashdown Forest or Gold in the French Alps, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re with the best.”

BESPOKE EXPEDITION PROGRAMMES

Aim High’s bespoke expedition programmes are customised to meet the specific requirements of groups of ten or more people. They will work tirelessly to create an expedition programme that will best suit your award group and its participant’s needs.

To accommodate the needs of individual participants and small award groups they have open expeditions running throughout the year. These open expeditions provide for participants at Bronze, Silver and Gold level. Each course date will have both training and assessment courses running simultaneously to provide the most flexible opportunities.

All Duke of Edinburgh Award training, expeditions and assessments are charged per participant per training day for the UK and overseas expeditions. Aim High offer discounts for large groups and courses include the following:

• Full instruction from qualified and experienced instructors
• Associated expedition authorisation forms for the D of E
• Qualified, experienced expedition Supervisors
• D of E Accredited Expedition Assessors
• Public and Professional Liability insurance
• Campsite fees (Participants only)
• Group kit and equipment (see below)

In addition, as standard, Aim High expeditions provides tents, stoves, First Aid kits, Maps & Compasses

LEADER DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

Aim High Expeditions understand that for some leaders it is conducive to deliver and manage their own expedition training programmes. They have a vast array of knowledge pertaining to the Duke of Edinburgh’s award and as such are there to help in any way they can. To assist with this they provide the following leader development courses:

• Level 2 Award in Day Walk Leadership
• Level 3 Award in Basic Expedition Leadership
• Navigation courses including NNAS
• Expedition Skills

Should you require any further information on any of the above courses, general help or advice, please do not hesitate to contact us.

You can do that by emailing info@aimhighexpeditions.com or call them on the following numbers: Landline: 020 8316 1348.  Mobile: Perry 07960 012545 or Jacques 07834 406746

Aim High Expeditions are located at 81 Ashbridge Crescent, London, SE18 3EA

Quote from HRH Duke of Edinburgh “One of the perpetual problems about human life is that young people of every generation have to discover for themselves what life is all about. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award exists for all young people. The purpose of the DofE is to help young people gain experience of some of the most rewarding opportunities available to adults in their non-working lives.”

Aim High Expeditions helps young people discover what life is all about.

Development of motor skills is a key area in a child’s growth and education. Parents encourage this in a natural way through play and personal interaction but schools are tasked with providing an environment that offers a structured and measured progression for every student. The improvements in physical ability and co-ordination have a positive effect upon intellectual progress and outlook as well so become even more important.

SAQ® International are internationally known for their work in this area by providing innovative movement training solutions, bespoke consultancy services and supplying professional grade SAQ®® Equipment.

SAQ® training has provided thousands of SAQ®® Trainers with the ultimate tools to successfully implement effective, sustainable movement and conditioning programmes over short, mid and long term periods, resulting in maximum impact at real value for money. Success has been achieved with population groups as diverse as Premiership Footballers, Young Offenders, International Sports Performers from a host of different disciplines, Secondary and Primary School and Nursery children and Special Needs Performers.

From International Level coaches to Teaching Assistants and Parents, practitioners have accessed theoretical and practical solutions that have seen improvements in all-round performance, increases in fitness levels, reduction in obesity, changes in challenging behaviour and positive developments in all learning.

Of particular interest to teachers is the SAQ® GCSE / School Exam Package. This is a very practical, downloadable resource delivering real skills to all abilities and enhancing the quality of any Physical Education curriculum.

Already tested in school, this highly adaptable package not only supports the AQA GCSE course but also is an excellent resource for use on other level 2 or 3 qualifications and provides a sound base for leadership courses.

Using the progressive structure on which SAQ® training is built, students are guided towards clear, differentiated learning objectives via challenging practical activities, which both staff and students quickly learn to progress. Learning is further reinforced with short written activities to be completed whilst resting in practical lessons or later in the theory classroom. This link to theory lessons is maintained with extension challenges that provide a real context to the knowledge required in written assessments

SAQ® International complements its training programmes with a wide variety of equipment. The SAQ® GCSE/School Exam Equipment Pack has been designed specifically to offer the perfect combination of equipment for our GCSE/School Exam Training Package. The pack consists of

• 3 sets of 10 marker spots
• 6 indoor ladders
• 36 Micro^TM Hurdles
• 12 Bunt Bats (vision/reaction activities)
• 6 Sonic Chutes
• 6 Agility Discs
• 6 Reactor Balls
• 4 Break Away Belts
• 2 SAQ®® Bags

SAQ® International also provide training in the Special Education sector. Success has been achieved by children with a variety of conditions including ADHD, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome and Hemiplegia and there is evidence to show the impact of SAQ® SEM Training on children’s overall learning, handwriting development and mathematics skills, improvements in concentration and behaviour, as well as physical development.

Recently, SAQ® International’s latest Award, Early Essential Movement Patterns, has proved tremendously successful. Hundreds of Primary Schools and Nurseries have attended this one-day Award. Feedback has been amazingly positive with results from the School’s and Nurseries proving that the training is incredibly effective and popular.

SAQ® International have an excellent web site where you can find more information about their training courses and equipment. Go to www.saqinternational.com where you will be able to place online orders or contact SAQ® International by either the enquiry form provided or by email at info@saqinternational.com and by phone on 01664 810101

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SAQ-International/150782858291616?v=wall

Twitter: https://twitter.com/saqsports/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/saqinternational1/

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/alan-pearson/5/a38/3a7

SAQ® International are located at

Unit A15, Asfordby Business Park, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, United Kingdom, LE14 3JL

The use of the bow dates back as far as the Stone Age and maybe beyond. Finds have been recorded across Europe and Scandinavia and history tells us that the Egyptians and other African cultures used archers as a major part of their armies. The 14^th and 15^th centuries saw English forces dominate conflicts with massed ranks of archers and their longbows as successive monarchs promoted archery in tournaments around the land encouraging men to take up the bow and provide vast numbers for the battle lines. With the decline in archery as a main weapon of war, the English heritage has continued to this day in the many archery centres and clubs throughout the UK.

Archery is now one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, especially after the success of UK archers in the 2012 Olympics. Archery 4all offers a comprehensive range of instruction, equipment and help for schools in setting up the sport for students of all ages and abilities and our dedicated team are here to introduce all to the wonders of this ancient sport.

Our schools programme is proving extremely popular with Physical Education Departments across the country. Many ‘less sporty’ students find archery a suitable alternative. Archery appeals to all ages and ability.

We offer a number of packages for schools. Our team will attend your school to give students an opportunity to try archery for themselves. These taster sessions inevitably generate interest and then we offer a number of possibilities.

Schools booking for a full term will allow us to take students through a progression leading to an assessment in the final week. All students will receive a certificate and those achieving a Gold award will have the equivalent requirement to join a local archery club. This is particularly popular with most schools we attend as it is inclusive to those in wheel chairs.

All our staff are CRB checked and we carry full public liability insurance and our experienced team are able to work with participants with varying degrees of disability, including those in wheel chairs.

The archery 4 schools team work with all ages from 8 years and it should be noted that either a teacher or parent is required to be present when classes include students under the age of 16.

As well as the expert advice and assistance, Archery 4all also run courses and tuition in Team Building – Assistance in setting up archery clubs in schools  – Consultation Service – Staff Training – String Making Demonstrations / Courses – Arrow Making Demonstrations / Courses and more thus making them an ideal partner for schools looking to introduce archery as a permanent addition to their sports programmes.

For more information, take a look at the Archery 4all website at www.archery4all.co.uk and to contact them call 01442 245700 or 07850 843005. If you would like to email then please use grandaffairsgroup@gmail.com

Archery 4all are located at:-   First Floor 41 Roseheath, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2NG  but have teams across the UK.

Picture shows our set up at part of the 2012 Olympics promotion

The Aberystwyth area is ideal for school trips of any age group, going from sea to mountains within a few miles. With such a range of habitats, it attracts many groups looking for the Learning Outside the Classroom experience. The countryside is complemented by a range of local attractions of educational interest and outdoor activities.

Plas Dolau is a secluded country estate with its own gardens, fields, woodland and access to the Rheidol river. The old country mansion has a friendly, warm and relaxed atmosphere, adapted specifically with group visits in mind. Rated 4 stars by Visit Wales it works well for exclusive use of up to 45 people and can stretch to 60 with addition of the Swedish style farm guesthouse. The hostel style bedrooms sleep around 40 youngsters and can split into 2 sections with separate washing facilities for small groups. As well as the main lounge/meeting room, large and small dining rooms and games room, there are plenty of options for small study groups.

Our indoor games room has table tennis, pool and table football and we have a drying room for wet weather gear. The guesthouse includes a downstairs twin bedroom including en-suite shower room with a seat and grab rails. There is free wireless internet access. We have ample parking for cars, minibuses and our overflow car park can accommodate large buses. Access is from the A44, only 3 miles from Aberystwyth shops and the sea, but far enough to discourage youngsters from walking off site.

Catering can be full board or selected meals only, with self catering sometimes an option. We can be flexible about meals to suit your programme, providing packed lunches and later meals on days with longer trips. There is also a barbecue or camp fire area and if you have your own qualified instructors you can use our woodland for team challenges/problem solving activities.

Our 25 acre grounds includes woodland walks, permanent pasture (with cattle, sheep, ponies and a friendly milking goat), a small stream and access to the river Rheidol, with the possibility of seeing otters or foxes at dusk or dawn. Ravens, red kites, owls and greater spotted woodpeckers frequently visit. It is an excellent area to study wild plants, mosses and fungi and we try to encourage the local species.

From the Cambrian Mountains streams run through coniferous and deciduous forests. The Rheidol river starts at Devil’s Bridge waterfall, passing through the flood plain and ending up at the shelving shingle beach in Aberystwyth. In contrast, Borth has 3 miles of sandy beach, exposing a fossil forest at low tide and has extensive dune area at Ynyslas on the Dovey estuary. For younger children, Borth Animalarium specialises mainly in “friendly” small species of animals and birds. Fantasy Farm also provides “hands on” experience and fun for smaller children. The RSPB reserve at Ynys Hir has bird hides and breathtaking walks of the estuary.  “Green energy” issues are well covered by the Centre for Alternative Technology and the Rheidol Hydro-electric Power Station. Aberystwyth itself is a good study subject, being a small town but the centre for a wide rural hinterland.

We welcome visits by group leaders to check out the accommodation and resources in the area. We can provide risk assessments and safety certificates and our staff team has a wide variety of relevant expertise for educational visits. Our aim is to help groups achieve their objectives in a safe and enjoyable environment, with excellent home cooked food options available.

For more information on Plas Dolau Country Estate please visit www.plasdolau.co.uk or call us on 01970 617834 or simply write to Plas Dolau, Lovesgrove, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3HP.

If you have a child who suffers from Dyslexia, any form of advice and help will be greatly received, especially in the provision of information regarding schools that understand the problem and offer support to the child. CreSTeD is the Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils, whose aim is to help parents and also those who advise them, choose schools for children with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD).

Dyslexia is a learning difference, a combination of strengths and weaknesses which affects the learning process in reading, spelling, writing and sometimes numeracy. Dyslexic learners may also have accompanying weaknesses in short term memory, sequencing and the speed at which they process information. These are skills that everyone needs if they are to learn effectively in a busy classroom. They are also key skills for life.

Learning problems arise if dyslexia is not recognised and the teaching is inappropriate. This can happen as a result of how the school views the problem and the policies for dealing with it. If viewed as a weakness this may well lead to children with dyslexia being taught through the SEN provision within the school but if emphasis is placed upon celebrating the strengths of the child, then teaching within the mainstream environment may well prevail.

The Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic pupils.

CreSTeD’s purpose is to help parents and those who advise them choose schools for children with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD). Of these the main difficulty is dyslexia. There is, however, a general recognition that dyslexia does not always exist in isolation and latest research demonstrates a high level of co-occurrence with other difficulties. These include Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, ADD, ADHD as well as Pragmatic and Semantic Language Difficulties.

Schools listed in the Register have declared whether they have provision for pupils with SpLD – when linked with dyslexia. All schools will have their provision for these additional needs observed during their routine three yearly visits.

The CReSTeD Register

CReSTeD acts as a source of school names which parents can use as their first step towards making a placement decision which will be critical to their child’s educational future. CReSTeD is a valuable resource for parents, educational advisers and schools. CReSTeD was established in 1989 and publishes its Register of schools annually. These schools cover all levels of provision for dyslexic pupils and include both state and independent provision.

The Register is published annually and is obtainable from the CReSTeD Administrator. To encourage accuracy, Council require schools to inform it of significant changes which impact on provision for its dyslexic pupils. The website contains all the information that is in the Register. It is updated as new information is received, or new schools approved, and contains links to the websites of all registered schools as well as to other websites which may be of assistance to parents of dyslexic children.

The Council includes representatives from the British Dyslexia Association, Dyslexia Action, Dyslexia-SpLD Trust, the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre, educational pyschologists and schools. A solicitor who is a specialist in the legal aspects of dyslexia is an Honorary Advisor to the Council. CReSTeD was founded to help parents. It has had, and will continue to have, influence on the standards of provision for dyslexic pupils.

Printed copies of the Register are compiled each October. A copy can be obtained free on request to CReSTeD, by email, phone, post or by downloading the pdf file. Copies are also available from the British Dyslexia Association or Dyslexia Action. The Register is supplied to the DfES, local authorities, other advisory bodies and main libraries.Digital versions of the Register and Information Pack are available in pdf, iBook and ebook formats, both of which contain a little extra information about Special Education Needs..

The levels of provision within schools is divided into six broad categories labelled: Dyslexia Specialist Provision (Category DSP), Specialist Provision Schools (Category SPS), Dyslexia Unit (Category DU), Specialist Classes (Category SC) and Withdrawal System (Category WS), Maintained Sector (Category MS). Children have different needs and the categories are a way of helping match the level of the pupil’s needs to the level of provision at the school. The Register of Schools provides a full list of schools by category and includes a geographical index of schools. It is available is several formats.

For anyone looking for more information on schools who make provision for children with Dyslexia, access the CreSTeD web site at http://crested.org.uk where you can download the register, an information pack and parents checklist.

You can also contact CreSTeD 

By Post:- Lesley Farrar, CReSTeD, Old Post House, Castle Street, Whittington, Shropshire, SY11 4DF

By Telephone:- 01691 655783 or freephone:- 0845 601 5013

By Email:-Email: admin@crested.org.uk