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Dyscalculia Day 2023 – Parent Conference
Alison Tallintre and Marikje Walters
I originally trained as a primary teacher but left mainstream teaching to focus on my passion for helping children with specific learning differences. In recent years, I have dedicated my time and energy towards not only identifying, diagnosing and support young children but also teenagers and adults.
To this end, I have undertaken extensive research and training to enable me to help everyone who may be either dyscalculic or who have a severe maths difficulty along with people who have co-occurring differences such as dyslexia and DCD (dyspraxia). In addition, I can help identify those with suspected autism and/or attention and concentration difficulties. This support extends into older students who wish to go on to university.
As dyscalculia is a persistent difficulty, I also feel very much that eventually these young people will grow, flourish and become a valued employee. As such, I feel passionately that support and energy is dedicated towards helping people not only obtain employment but remain as an invaluable contributor to a company’s success due to their holistic and problem-solving capabilities.
The webinar that I have been honoured to have been asked to provide, gives a snapshot of what support can be expected in both Further (FE) and Higher Education (HE), useful links to support/apps for older students, what exam concessions can be expected in both FE and HE along with advice in process of applying for support in HE.
With over 20 years of experience teaching secondary school maths in the UK, Marijke possesses a wide range of knowlege and expertise. She is former Head of Department, a Specialist Leader in Mathematics Education (SLE), holds NPQSL and a masters degree in Mathematics education, and is also a member of the National Association of Mathematical Advisors. Having obtained a Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Dyscalculia Research and Practice she is now a Dyscalculia Assessor.
Being one of the few level 7 qualified dyscalculia specialists in secondary mathematics, she has extensive experience teaching learners who do not always receive the support they need to succeed.
In her workshop, she will explain what you can do to help my child with their maths GCSE?
We often receive this question on the network. This dyscalculia blog post may offer some answers to your questions: https://www.dyscalculianetwork.com/gcse-maths-advice-for-parents-of-pupils-with-dyscalculia-or-maths-difficulties/
Often, however, the questions I receive are about the GCSE system. How many papers? How does the grading work? What is a pass? What are functional skills and is it worth the same as GCSE? Can my child get extra time?
Hopefully, I’ll be able to answer all of these questions, as well as many more. During this talk, I will also discuss functional skills, how they are similar and different from GCSEs, and what options your child has if they don’t pass their GCSEs in Y11.
