The maximum number of pupils in each of our four full-time classes is currently 14.

The Alpha classes are divided into groups for English and Mathematics, matched for levels and needs. Each class has a dyslexia-specialist Form Teacher* and a CLANSA** certified Classroom Assistant. An additional dyslexia-specialist teacher is assigned to each class, enabling us to split the class into two small groups for English and Maths. All teachers who teach English have Phono-Graphix certification.

In the Delta classes, pupils are divided into groups, matched for levels and needs, not only for English and Mathematics but also, wherever possible, for Science, R.S. and History/Geography. Each class has a dyslexia-specialist Form Teacher and a CLANSA certified Classroom Assistant. Small group teaching for English is enabled by an additional dyslexia-specialist teacher assigned to each class. There can be up to five Maths groups drawn from the two Delta classes and set according to need. Currently our Art and Design Technology teacher has a post-graduate dyslexia qualification and it is our policy that all teachers teaching literacy should have this qualification and Phono-Graphix certification. In any event, all teachers receive Inservice training in the teaching of their subject to dyslexic pupils, both in-house and by external providers.

All full-time pupils are taught to touch-type and follow a minimally modified National Curriculum in all subjects except a modern foreign language.

Part-time pupils are those whose reading allows them to participate successfully in the Prep School curriculum. They nevertheless remain registered with us and continue to receive their English lessons with our dyslexia-specialist teachers. These pupils do not learn a modern foreign language and this enables us to give them 9-10 English lessons a week (35 mins. duration) in small matched groups of usually about six pupils.

A few will be prepared for the Common Entrance English examination, but the majority will follow the KS3 English curriculum in preparation for KS4 (GCSE) at their senior schools.

Parents are encouraged to discuss future schools with both the Belmont and the Moon Hall Heads.

If necessary, Belmont-based pupils can continue to be taught Maths by Moon Hall dyslexia specialists. The majority of pupils do ‘graduate’ to Belmont Maths by Year 8.

Touch-typing lessons continue at Moon Hall and pupils are successfully entered for external OCR examinations usually sat by sixteen-year-olds.

*If a newly appointed Form Teacher has not already undertaken post-graduate dyslexia training, this is required during the first year and the teacher is mentored by the HoD. Moon Hall has a very slow rate of staff turnover, so this situation only occurs infrequently.

** Certificate of Literacy and Numeracy Support Assistant.