White Rose Dyslexia Centre

White Rose Dyslexia Centre, specialists in dyslexia and dyscalculia in Sheffield

White Rose Dyslexia Centre Ltd is a centre based in Sheffield (United Kingdom) dedicated to practical support, advice and information for people with dyslexia and dyscalculia. Founded in June 2009, it works with individuals, families, education providers and employers in a process that may include assessments, workplace needs advice and awareness training.

The team presents itself as a small, specialised group with direct experience of dyslexia in education, training and the workplace. Its approach, according to its own presentation, combines technical knowledge with outreach among those who teach or work with people with these difficulties, in order to improve understanding of their strengths and challenges.

Assessment and support services

The centre's activity is structured around specialised services aimed at different audiences:

• Dyslexia and dyscalculia screening.
• Full diagnostic assessments.
• Exam access arrangements testing.
• Specialist workplace needs assessments.
• Dyslexia and dyscalculia awareness training.

These services are offered both to individuals and families and to organisations, and the centre states that some of the diagnostic assessments it carries out are approved for DSA (Disabled Students' Allowance) purposes.

Professional team profile

The team is made up of specialists with specific training and professional licences. Vicky Shaw, with a background in secondary and post-16 education and in management roles in the public and private sectors, has focused her work over the last 23 years on working with children and adults with specific learning difficulties. She carries out dyslexia screening tests, workplace needs assessments and exam access arrangements testing. Her credentials include a B.Ed in Secondary Education, a certificate in personal development, the CCET+ certification for exam access arrangements, a BA Hons in Psychology (ongoing), as well as her membership of the CIPD and the RQTU of the British Psychological Society.

Jess Simmonite, who qualified and worked as a primary school teacher in 2007, later specialised in teaching and assessing individuals with specific learning difficulties, with an additional specialism in dyscalculia. She holds the qualifications and practising certificates required to carry out diagnostic assessments on behalf of the centre, approved for DSA purposes, as well as exam access arrangements testing. Her training includes a BA Hons in Primary Education, a PG Cert in SpLD (dyslexia), an MA in Education (Dyslexia), a BA Hons in Psychology (ongoing) and the Assessment Practising Certificate from Patoss Ltd.

Experience with public and private organisations

The centre states that it maintains long-standing relationships with the NHS, local authorities, police forces and various schools and colleges in the region. This track record is reflected, according to its presentation, in the recommendations received from individuals, families and organisations in both the private and public sectors.

Location and access

White Rose Dyslexia Centre operates from Acero, a building located opposite Sheffield train station, with access from different areas of Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Entry is through the side door of the building, and the centre provides a What3Words reference to locate it precisely. It does not have its own parking; there are paid options nearby, including the station car park, and clients who pre-book parking with Q-Park receive additional information and a provider discount in their confirmation email. The centre is a one-minute walk from the station and close to several bus and tram routes.

The company is registered in England and Wales with company number 06924086 and a registered office at Aizlewood Business Centre, Aizlewood's Mill, Nursery Street, Sheffield.

Contact and response times

The centre handles enquiries by email and via a web form, and recommends not calling by phone in addition to writing, in order to speed up the process. It states that it responds to messages within two to three working days and advises Hotmail, Yahoo and Outlook users to check their junk mail folder in case the reply arrives there.

Premises and locations

Acero premises: White Rose Dyslexia Centre Ltd, Room G26, Acero, 1 Concourse Way, Sheffield, S1 2BJ

Premises 2: Aizlewood Business Centre Aizlewood's Mill, Nursery Street, Sheffield, England, S3 8GG