Crown primary school

A collaboration between Gemma Edwards, (ASN Teacher at Crown Primary) and April Ingram (parent and secondary school librarian for High Life Highland) formed a partnership in 2024 for this project. With the backing of Crown Primary Head Teacher, Miriam MacDonald and Deputy Head Teacher, Suzanne Dunbar, their goal was to improve resources for children with an identification of dyslexia at Crown Primary.

April applied to Highland Council’s Ward Discretionary Fund for money to purchase a dyslexia-friendly and reluctant reader collection of books for Crown Primary School. She secured £1000 of funding and purchased a collection of graphic novels and Barrington Stoke books.

Gemma formed a group of Digital Developers. With her guidance, these pupils have become leaders within the school in the use of the software Read&Write.

Gemma has given these young people the tools to become peer educators, with pupils being able to support one another in the use of this technology. Between them, they have done everything that they can to maximise the potential of this project, combining books and technology, all with a focus on supporting and empowering dyslexic learners.

Young people as changemakers

The work that Gemma has done with the group of Digital Developers is incredible. Older pupils who have been using the Read&Write software for several years are able to show pupils with a new identification of dyslexia how this software can help them at school. The peer-to-peer support has been amazing, and it is truly encouraging to watch pupils help one another to get the best out of the technology available.

Through the Digital Developer group, Gemma has brought together pupils from across the year groups P4 to P7 and it is great to see how well they support one another to strive to achieve their full potential.

Pupils launched the books and spoke about the technology available at a Dyslexia Changemaker assembly last week. Gemma worked with her group, and they led both upper and lower assemblies and spoke confidently about what it means to be dyslexic.

Working together and supporting one another seems to have broken any stigma about this learning difference before it has had the chance to form Speaking before 250 of their peers was so brave and inspiring and the young people who took part were encouraged by the positive reactions from fellow pupils during their presentation.

Gemma, along with Finlay, Quinn, Berkay, Conor, Lauren, Brody, Umit, Harris, Archie and Hasanain are truly inspiring dyslexia changemakers in their school.