Goverment promises extra help for children with dyslexia

The Government has promised to train 4,000 teachers to support children with dyslexia in state schools, representing ~1 trained teacher per 4 schools, supported by additional resources for teachers to help identify pupils with such learning difficulties. This is a major step forward and recognition of dyslexia as a learning difficulty.

Whilst, this is a major change, the support will be aimed, quite rightly at the worst sufferers and so will mean that those children with 'milder' problems will not get so much support and possibly schools watching budgets will still try to avoid identifying sufferers, to avoid extra drain on stretched finances.

Whilst these changes are very welcome, parents will still need to fight to get the help for their children. Don't just rely on promises from your child's school, keep closely in touch with those providing support to ensure your child does get the support needed.

UCAS Points?

UCAS Points are based on examination type and grades achieved. Not just A-Level but AS- Level and other examinations. You may find the calculator and the UCAS tariff tables helpful see Useful Links on the right.

University Open Days: Student Accommodation

What to expect and look out for in student accommodation and when to apply.

Most universities provide 1st year accommodation on campus. Check if this is the case and check if the accommodation is on the main teaching campus or on a separate campus, requiring transport costs to the teaching campus.
If university accommodation is not provided and you have to, or want, off-campus accommodation, make sure you use university approved accommodation and use approved landlords and agencies - Check with the university or student union be worldly wise to avoid bad landlords and bad accommodation - ask existing students.

So what campus accommodation may be available to you? Possible options...

Fully Catered: 7 days a week, 3 meals a day; or 2 meals a day provided in dinning halls attached to halls of residence, maybe requiring the student to purchase meals during the day from campus catering outlets.

Part Catered: Meals provided during weekdays but self-catering at weekends.

Self-Catered: Students have to purchase and prepare their own meals, probably supplemented by campus catering outlets during weekdays. Some university food outlets may offer full term catered reduced rate options for 7, 5 days.

Make sure you check out the accommodation facilities for self-catered and for snack meals if catered. Also check out food shopping available on or close to campus. Use the Internet to check out the locations of local supermarkets, as well as university websites for on-campus food shops.

Accommodation options may include en-suite (particularly in new campus accommodation) but most will be based on a small number of students sharing toilet and washing facilities. What, if any, bedding etc is provided or must be provided by the student and what laundry facilities are available.

Finally: Check out accommodation availability based on 2nd (insurance) choice university (some universities do not guarantee on-campus if selected as your 2nd choice) and what is available if you have to apply through UCAS Clearing. Remember to note the accommodation by University because it may become very confusing after a few open days.

Remember: Have your accommodation application ready in advance and send it as soon as you get your confirmed place, which may be on A Level results day, accommodation is probably assigned on a first come basis!