New research funded to help support Welsh medium learners with dyslexia

Researchers at Cardiff Metropolitan University are developing a new set of tests to improve the identification of literacy difficulties in Welsh medium secondary school pupils.

Backed by over £100,000 of Welsh Government funding, researchers will conduct trials in a range of school settings over the next two years and standardise the assessments with learners from across the country

Literacy difficulties, including dyslexia, are common, and mainly affect reading, writing, and spelling skills.

Disability

Dyslexia is classified as a disability, and it’s estimated that around 1 in 10 people in the UK experience some level of it.

The new project aims to identify literacy difficulties and provide appropriate support as soon as possible.

The new tests will fill a gap in Welsh medium schools as the tests will be specifically tailored to the Welsh language.

The project will also comply with the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) regulations to offer suitable materials for qualified assessors to identify learners for exam access arrangements in Welsh.  This is the first test of its kind in Welsh.

Assessment

The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle said: “Assessment is crucial in providing support to learners with dyslexia. This funding will enable researchers to create a brand-new system, tailored to the needs of learners in Welsh medium education, to create a fully inclusive learning environment where every child has the opportunity to thrive.”

Rhian Dickenson, the Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator (ALNCo) at Ysgol Cymraeg Gwynllyw in Pontypool, who participated in the pilot phase of the project with a researcher from Cardiff Metropolitan University, said: “We are so grateful for the work the University is doing to support schools with literacy. It is extremely important that our young people get the support they need and piloting this project has enabled us to work with our learners to identify exactly what support is needed and how best for us to provide it.

“As well as enabling us to establish a method of tracking progress, we have been given the tools to know that we are giving learners the support they need. We are excited to continue to be part of this trial and look forward to further developing our interventions and support as a result of this important work”.

Literacy in Welsh

Dr Rhiannon Packer is part of the research team at Cardiff Metropolitan University working to develop the diagnostic assessment of literacy in Welsh, added: “Our initial research developed a suite of tests to help identify literacy difficulties in young people aged 11-17 in Welsh medium secondary schools, the first of its kind in Wales.

“We are thrilled to have received the funding from Welsh Government which will now allow the team of researchers at Cardiff Met to work closely with young people in secondary schools and improve the access arrangements for GCSEs and A levels, as well as supporting teachers in working with learners with literacy difficulties, such as dyslexia. With this funding, the team can complete a suite of assessments and standardise them, so they can be used by practitioners in the future.”

In addition to the tests, a handbook will be produced with training videos for the administration of the assessment, interpretation of results and strategies for practitioners in secondary schools.

These free resources will be made available online on the learning platform, Hwb, from early 2026.