Jamie Oliver show a 'boost for dyslexia education'
Jamie Oliver's campaign to improve education for dyslexic children has already made a "massive difference", according to a Nottinghamshire MP.Labour's Juliet Campbell, who represents Broxtowe, is a long-time campaigner and features prominently in the Channel 4 documentary, Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution.The MP has spent the past decade calling for better teacher training and since her election in 2024 has chaired the All Party Parliamentary Group on dyslexia.Campbell's son was not diagnosed as dyslexic until he was 14.
She described him as an "incredibly intelligent young man" but he "just did not enjoy school at all".She added: "I just couldn't understand why."I think if teachers were skilled in recognising dyslexia, or had more training in how to teach dyslexic children we would have probably got an earlier identification."In the documentary, Oliver asks AI software to find existing campaigners and Campbell's name came up.In a video call with the TV chef, she said: "The research shows that if you teach the whole class in the way a dyslexic child learns, everybody benefits."She then arranged an event in the Houses of Parliament, where an emotional Oliver told a room of politicians how he felt "thick", "worthless" and "dumb" at school."Whether it's the mind or the tummy, let's feed our kids," he added.
Research suggests 10 to 15% of children have dyslexia and campaigners argue it's essential the education system doesn't write them off.Oliver told the BBC that society was "already paying" for a lack of action, pointing to figures that suggest around half of the adult prison population is dyslexic.He has urged the government to make two key changes - to improve training on dyslexia for new and existing teachers, and to screen all primary school children for the condition as early as possible.Oliver said teachers are "begging" for more training."In a two or three year teacher training course, they are doing half a day's training," he said."Four hours is just not enough, it's not appropriate."
'Screening is everything'
The documentary ends with Oliver meeting education secretary Bridget Phillipson.Asked what commitments he'd secured, Oliver said Phillipson had agreed to "completely reimagine" teacher training for dyslexia and neurodiversity from September onwards."What she seems to be dragging her feet on is the screening, and for me the screening is everything," he said.Speaking at a preview screening of the documentary, Phillipson insisted she was "determined" to improve the system.She added the government had commissioned research to ensure "the very best evidence" around screening is applied in all schools.Campbell said she was confident the government was "listening".She added the involvement of Oliver had made a "massive difference" and given the issue a "real boost"."He's got a history also of making a difference," she said. "We saw what he did with school dinners. My hope is that we can move the dyslexia discussion on."
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