Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution: Why This Dyslexia Debate Matters to All of Us
- hellosocialmedia
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
If you’ve followed the news recently, you may have seen Jamie Oliver making headlines for more than just his cooking. In his latest Channel 4 documentary, Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution, he takes on an issue close to his heart: how we support children with dyslexia in our schools.
During a public discussion with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, Oliver didn’t hold back, calling out Essex County Council for refusing to formally recognise dyslexia as a special educational need (SEN). It’s a subject that feels very personal for him - he was only diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 50 and over the years he has been very vocal about his struggles academically. His frustration was clear: without formal recognition, children risk missing out on the specialist help they need, and schools aren’t being held accountable for providing it.
Essex Council has defended its stance, saying it takes a “needs-led” approach and focuses on improving literacy for all children, rather than assigning labels. But as Oliver rightly pointed out, without those labels, parents lose an important legal tool to fight for support, and too many children simply fall through the cracks.
At Grace Consulting, we see this playing out time and time again - not just in Essex, but across the UK. The simple truth is that early identification changes lives. When a child’s dyslexia is recognised and supported early, they gain access to the right interventions and their self-confidence grows. When it isn’t, they’re often left struggling, feeling misunderstood and believing they’re not capable.
The training that teachers receive is another piece of this puzzle. Currently, most new teachers get very little structured education about neurodiversity - sometimes as little as just half a day. We believe, as Jamie Oliver does, that this has to change. Dyslexia, like many other forms of neurodivergence, is common and it should be part of every teacher’s core training. When teachers are equipped to recognise the signs and know how to support students effectively, everyone benefits.
And of course, this isn’t just about what happens in school. We know from our work at Grace Consulting that these experiences follow young people into adulthood. When neurodivergence goes unrecognised or unsupported, it can impact a person’s ability to thrive in the workplace too. Early identification, tailored support, and an understanding environment all help to build confidence and resilience for life - not just for exams.
The good news is that this issue is finally getting more attention. The Education Secretary has acknowledged the need for change, and with high-profile voices like Jamie Oliver’s keeping the conversation alive, we’re hopeful that real progress will follow. But talk alone isn’t enough - what we need now is action. Schools, local authorities and employers must work together to build a culture that truly understands and embraces neurodiversity.
That’s where we come in. At Grace Consulting, we help organisations and schools turn these ideas into practice. Whether it’s through coaching, practical training or building inclusive strategies that work in the real world, we’re passionate about helping every individual get the support they deserve.
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about labels. It’s about making sure every child - and every adult - has the chance to reach their full potential.
Supporting schools with tailored SEND advice and practical strategies
At Grace Consulting, we help schools across the UK strengthen their SEND provision with practical, expert-led support. From advice on writing high-quality EHC plans and Requests for Statutory Assessment, to one-to-one advice for staff and parents, SENCO coaching, and tailored SEND workshops, we work with schools to ensure every child can thrive.
If your school is looking to improve support for learners with dyslexia or other learning differences — or you want to embed more inclusive strategies into everyday practice - we can help. Our consultations, coaching and workshops are designed to equip your staff with real-world strategies that make a difference.
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