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<p>The 0-25 Special Educational Needs Code of Practice makes clear that schools must
use their best endeavours to identify and address the needs of all pupils with special
educational needs (SEN) and disabilities, including those with dyslexia. All maintained
schools and Academies must designate a qualified teacher to be responsible for co-ordinating
SEN provision (SENCO).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Schools are provided with resources
to support those with additional needs including those with SEN and disabilities.
Funding for schools is largely determined by local authorities, through the local
funding formula, and for pupils who need high levels of SEN support, through top-up
funding for those pupils. Schools have an amount identified within their overall budget,
called the notional SEN budget, but it is up to schools to determine how much they
spend from their whole budget to provide high quality and appropriate support for
all pupils who need extra help.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Department
for Education has provided £1.5 million to the Dyslexia SpLD Trust (<a href="http://www.thedyslexia-spldtrust.org.uk/"
target="_blank">www.thedyslexia-spldtrust.org.uk</a>) to support schools, professionals
and local authorities to improve the support available for pupils with dyslexia, drawing
on the evidence of effective programmes, and to build their skills.</p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><p>The Department is also funding the British Dyslexia Association to
pilot the provision of targeted literacy support, volunteer mentors and teacher training
in more than 25 schools. This aims to improve the literacy levels of 800 pupils at
high risk of experiencing literacy difficulties and dyslexia.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We
have enabled teachers to develop their practice in supporting children with SEN and
disabilities through our National Scholarship Fund, which allows teachers to apply
for funding to undertake postgraduate level qualifications in specific impairments.
Many of those apply to undertake masters-level training in dyslexia. 648 awards were
offered to teachers and SEN Support staff this year.</p>
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