Pupils in the Parliament

How we got the decision makers to listen

by young people from Trinity primary school in Edinburgh

On Wednesday 28th May 2025, we attended the Cross-Party Working Group on Dyslexia at the Scottish Parliament to represent our school and all dyslexic learners.

Our presentation was about the strategies and tools which help us as dyslexic learners, both generally and in school. We talked about different assistive technologies which can help us on our iPad, such as speech-to-text and having your iPad read to you. We also talked about the methods which help us such as Read Write Inc. Fresh Start. We were thrilled to share some initiatives which we have implemented in the school to help dyslexic learners, such as the ‘Breakout Space’ which is where we have created a quiet space where we can learn more effectively.

Our aim was to raise awareness about what it is like to be a dyslexic learner, some of the challenges that we face but also what we find helpful. We wanted to share some of the tools and strategies we use to be able to empower other dyslexic learners and raise awareness of what can help. We want to inspire and educate people to be able to support everyone who may have dyslexia but also enable young people with dyslexia to be able to thrive and meet their potential.

We were delighted to have taken part in a Mission Dyslexia workshop with ‘Super Paul’ and were thrilled when Paul invited us to speak at the Scottish Parliament. We brought our huge poster which we made about the Mission Dyslexia resource.

Zara said: “It meant the world to me to be able to change people’s lives and be an ambassador for people with dyslexia. We want to help to make change so that we can help other people with dyslexia and hope we can make a difference”

Georgia said: “It was such a good opportunity to go to Parliament and talk and listen about what is happening all around Scotland for other people with dyslexia. We really hope that what we spoke about will help to make a difference and allow young people with dyslexia to do all the amazing things they want to do.”

Martha said: “It was such an exhilarating experience to be able to speak to all the important and influential people that were part of the Cross-Party Working Group. It has been amazing to have such brilliant feedback and to feel that we have so many amazing people supporting us and fighting for those who are dyslexic learners.”

The staff who took the P6 students to the Parliament said they are incredibly proud of the learners who continue to be superb ambassadors for all learners with dyslexia. They also said that seeing these learners speak with such openness, honesty and confidence was inspirational and seeing the next generation raising awareness for dyslexic learners in the future was a wonderful thing to experience.