For parents and the people who advise them

Find the right school for a child with dyslexia

We keep a free Register of schools and teaching centres that support pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD).

We visit every one to check.

Two pupils working side by side at a classroom table

Pupils at work, from the CReSTeD film.

Choosing a school in three steps

The Register is a first step. It helps you make a big decision about your child’s education.

  1. 1

    Understand your child’s needs

    Learn about dyslexia and other SpLDs.

    An Educational Psychologist, or a specialist teacher with an Assessment Practising Certificate, can tell you what support your child needs.

    What are SpLDs?

  2. 2

    Use the Register

    Schools are listed in categories. This helps you match your child’s needs to the right kind of support.

    Search the Register

  3. 3

    Visit the school

    Always visit a school or centre yourself before you decide.

    Our Parents’ Checklist gives you questions to ask.

    Get the Parents’ Checklist (PDF)

Watch our film

A short film about CReSTeD and the Register of Schools. It has captions.

Read the film transcript

[Film: 90-second edit, cropped version to come. Needs captions and a transcript.]

A smiling pupil talking in a school library
Members of the CReSTeD Council in discussion at a meeting

We check every school

Some lists of schools use information nobody has checked. A CReSTeD Consultant has visited every school and centre on our Register.

  • We visit at least every three years.
  • Schools must tell us about any big changes.
  • We list state schools, independent schools and teaching centres.
  • The Register is free for parents, online or as a printed copy.

How we check schools

Why families and professionals use the Register

  • Parents are sent to us

    The British Dyslexia Association, Dyslexia Action and the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity refer parents who ask about schools.

  • Local authorities rely on it

    Many use the Register to help decide on funding a dyslexia placement.

  • Professionals trust it

    Educational professionals use it when they advise families.

Want to join our Register of Schools?

Being on the Register gives parents reassurance. Find out how to apply and what our Consultants look for.

Information for schools

Our work is supported by

  • British Dyslexia Association
  • Dyslexia Action
  • Dyslexia-SpLD Trust
  • PATOSS
  • Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity
  • The Dyscalculia Network