> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Lichfield dyslexia expert raises reading test concerns
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/lichfield-dyslexia-expert-raises-reading-test-concerns/
- Published: 2011-09-19T08:30:42.000Z
- Updated: 2011-09-19T07:00:30.000Z
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Education, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 21:41, News

A Lichfield dyslexia expert has has voiced concerns about the consequences of a compulsory new reading test for five and six-year-olds that will be enforced next summer.

[![Dr Daryl Brown](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/dr-daryl-brown-with-icon-symbols.jpg "Dr Daryl Brown")](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2011/08/26/lichfield-dyslexia-school-celebrates-gcse-results/dr-daryl-brown-with-icon-symbols/)

Dr Daryl Brown

Dr Daryl Brown, headteacher of Maple Hayes Dyslexia School in the city, welcomed the new test that will look at how children read using phonics – but admits he is worried that this alone may not identify learning difficulties. This could mean some youngsters’ learning difficulties remain undetected until much later on, when their reading age has lapsed.

Dr Brown, who has devoted much of his life to helping children overcome dyslexia, said: “These new tests are an important and valuable step towards early identification of learning difficulties in young children.

“It is vital that such problems are flagged up as early as possible so that teachers can employ effective and specialised teaching methods to give youngsters with Special Educational Needs a better chance of achieving a reasonable standard of literacy.

“However the test is not the only solution and needs to be just one step of many throughout primary education in order to identify dyslexics as soon as they fall behind and help them get back on track. Ideally, this test needs to be used in conjunction with objective testing at the end of Key stages 1 and 2.

“It is important that reading tests are part of a continuing process of monitoring and evaluation, as a phonics test alone, taken at this very young age, won’t identify all dyslexics. Many five and six-year-olds will be able to pass this test despite having learning difficulties.”

Dr Brown’s scepticism echoes that of both the Teachers Union NASUWT and the UK Literacy Agency (UKLA) who have criticised the tests as being too limited.