Moon Hall School’s 2024 GCSE results tell a very different story. In an environment tailored specifically to the learning profiles and emotional needs of dyslexic pupils, Moon Hall’s GCSE results continue to demonstrate an upward trend, directly challenging the assumption that dyslexia must limit academic potential. In the most recent results, 60% of Moon Hall pupils achieved a grade 4 (standard pass) or above in English and maths, compared to just 39.5% of students with SpLD, nationally. Furthermore, 25% of Moon Hall students secured a grade 5 or above, exceeding the national SpLD figure of 21.6%. These outcomes are a testament to what dyslexic learners can achieve with the right support and specialist teaching.
Executive Headteacher of Moon Hall, Mrs Michelle Catterson, who also serves as Chair of the British Dyslexia Association, commented: “The BDA’s findings reaffirm what we at Moon Hall witness every day – that dyslexic children are not underachieving because of a lack of ability, but because of a lack of understanding and adaptation in the system. At Moon Hall, when you put the right support in place, the outcomes are transformational. These results are not outliers – they are what’s possible when education is dyslexia-informed by design.”
Moon Hall’s success is rooted in early identification, evidence-based literacy intervention, class sizes that allow for individualised teaching, and an ethos that recognises and celebrates neurodiversity. In addition, the school integrates assistive technology and supports teachers with the understanding of cognitive science that empower students to take ownership of their learning.
“Today’s report must be a wake-up call,” Mrs Catterson continued. “The need for specialist provision and dyslexia-informed teaching has never been greater. It’s not just about attainment – it’s about dignity, self-esteem, and long-term life chances. Children with SEN deserve to be educated in holistic environments where they feel safe,
understood, and not 'different' from their peers. Too often, inclusion units lack the wraparound support needed for true progress, which can damage how children see themselves – even when they’re trying their hardest. At Moon Hall, we see the difference it makes when support is embedded into the whole school experience.”
As the national conversation shifts towards inclusion and reform, Moon Hall stands as proof of what is possible when the system is designed to support, not sideline, dyslexic learners.
Moon Hall School, located in Reigate, Surrey, is a leading mainstream specialist school for children with dyslexia, supporting pupils from Year 3 to Year 11. School life at Moon Hall offers a level playing field where dyslexic learners are not only supported but truly understood and empowered. Many of our pupils come to us having experienced frustration or exclusion in previous settings. Here, they discover an environment built on belief in their intelligence, capability, and potential.
We take time to assess and understand every child as an individual, teaching in ways that align with their learning styles, building on strengths and addressing challenges with tailored, multisensory approaches. Our students are active participants in their learning journey, developing self-awareness, resilience, and strategies that serve them for life.
At Moon Hall, we foster creative thinking, a strong sense of belonging, and a culture of high expectations. We don’t just help children succeed academically; we help them rediscover the joy of learning.