HC Deb 11 December 1991 vol 200 cc446-7W
Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what training teachers receive in(a) recognising symptoms of dyslexia in pupils and (b) how to assist children who show symptoms of dyslexia.

Mr. Fallon

All initial teacher training—ITT—courses must include a general introduction to special educational needs issues. The Secretary of State's criteria for the approval of courses of ITT require that, on completion of their course, students should have developed the capacity to identify pupils with special educational needs or with learning difficulties; and to understand the ways in which the potential of such pupils can be developed. More extensive specialist support is available through in-service teacher training courses, some of which specialise in dyslexia.

Some of the more common teaching methods used to help dyslexic pupils learn to read include phonics, or multi-sensory techniques which involve touch and other stimuli. Such specialist teaching provision is often

School meal arrangements
Durham LEA Paid meals Free meals Own food Other arrangements Total
1990
Primary 28,222 10,115 10,020 9,005 57,362
Secondary 11,392 3,672 4,325 17,030 36,419
Special 422 323 50 103 898
Total 40,036 14,110 14,395 26,138 94,679
1991
Primary 26,814 10,276 10,681 9,607 57,378
Secondary 11,987 3,556 4,661 16,182 36,386
Special 388 352 50 127 917
Total 39,189 14,184 15,392 25,916 94,681