Dyslexia Assessments in Chesterfield and the Peak District
Families across Chesterfield and the Peak District often can wait a long time for the right dyslexia support. Defining Dyslexia offers specialist assessments closer to home. Every one of our assessments is carried out by Mark, a PATOSS-registered specialist assessor with over fifteen years of experience.
Chesterfield sits in Derbyshire, a short drive from our Sheffield base. We cover the town and the surrounding areas, including Dronfield, Staveley, Bolsover and Clay Cross.
We also reach families deeper into the Peak District, such as Matlock, Bakewell and the Hope Valley. For many of these families, travelling to a city assessor means a long round trip. A local appointment removes that barrier.
What You Can Expect from a Defining Dyslexia Assessment?
Children in this area fall under Derbyshire County Council, not Sheffield. Our reports meet the needs of Derbyshire schools and exam access arrangements. They sit comfortably with the local SEND offer. They are also accepted by universities, employers and Access to Work.
A full diagnostic assessment goes well beyond a quick screener. It builds a complete picture of how you or your child learns. You receive a clear written report, with practical recommendations you can use straight away.
WHO IT IS FOR?
Assessments are available for primary and secondary school children, adults, and university students. Whether you are seeking clarity after years of uncertainty, preparing for exam access arrangements, or applying for Disabled Students' Allowance, Defining Dyslexia can support you through the process.
WHAT THE ASSESSMENT INVOLVES?
A Defining Dyslexia assessment is a detailed, one-to-one evaluation covering reading, spelling, writing speed, phonological processing, and memory. It is designed to build a clear picture of how you or your child thinks, learns, and processes information. Most assessments take around two to three hours, and shorter split sessions are available where needed. Every assessment concludes with a written report that can be used to support school provision, exam access arrangements, or a university DSA application.
WHY CHOOSE DEFINING DYSLEXIA?
Defining Dyslexia is an independent specialist assessment practice registered with PATOSS, the British Dyslexia Association, and the Dyslexia Guild. Assessments are carried out to the standards set by SASC, the body that governs SpLD assessment quality across the UK. Working independently means the focus is entirely on you or your child, with no waiting lists tied to institutional processes.
So, how can we help?
For many families in rural Derbyshire, travel to an assessor is a real barrier. A village in the Hope Valley or the White Peak can be forty minutes from the nearest town, and considerably further from a specialist service. Remote assessments remove that barrier entirely.
A remote assessment takes place over a secure video platform, typically Microsoft Teams. Mark guides you or your child through each task, exactly as he would in person. The session is unhurried, and breaks are built in. You carry out the assessment from your own home, which many children find more comfortable than an unfamiliar venue.
The report you receive is identical to an in-person report. It meets the same SASC standards, and is accepted by Derbyshire schools, exam boards, universities and employers. So a remote assessment is not a lesser option. It is simply a different way of reaching the same outcome.
Remote assessments suit families in Chesterfield itself, as well as those further out in Matlock, Bakewell, Buxton, Tideswell, Castleton and the surrounding villages. Additionally, they work well for adults who find travelling difficult, or who prefer to fit an assessment around work commitments.
How much does an
assessment cost?
A full dyslexia assessment with Defining Dyslexia costs £495. This includes the assessment session and a comprehensive written report with practical recommendations. There are no hidden costs and no additional charges.
Assessments can be carried out in your home, at your child's school, or at a suitable venue local to you. Where a venue needs to be booked, a small additional fee may apply. This will always be discussed and agreed with you before anything is confirmed.
For adult assessments that include screening for co-occurring conditions such as ADHD or dyspraxia, a small additional fee also applies. This will be discussed with you at enquiry stage.
If you would like to talk through costs before booking, you are very welcome to get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions from Sheffield clients
What signs suggest my child might be dyslexic?
Common signs include slow or effortful reading, weak spelling, and trouble with sequences. So does a loss of confidence at school. An assessment gives clear answers either way. Please see our What is Dyslexia page.
01
My child's school says it cannot diagnose dyslexia. Is that right?
Largely, yes. Schools can identify needs and put support in place. However, a formal diagnosis needs a specialist assessor like Mark.
02
What does the
assessment actually involve?
It is a series of tasks and short games, drawn from standardised assessments. They look at reading, spelling, memory and processing. Most children find it relaxed rather than test-like.
03
What does an
assessment cost?
Our fees are listed clearly on the prices page, with no hidden extras. Visit that page for the current figure.
04
Do I need a diagnosis for school or exam support?
Not always. Access arrangements, such as extra time, do not require a formal diagnosis. A full assessment still gives the clearest evidence.
05
My child's school is in Derbyshire. Will the report be accepted?
Yes. Our reports meet the needs of Derbyshire schools and exam access arrangements. They also sit with the local SEND offer.
06
About Your Assessor
Every Defining Dyslexia assessment is carried out by Mark, a PATOSS-registered specialist assessor with fifteen years of experience supporting children, young people, and adults with dyslexia and other learning differences. Mark holds an APC and works to the standards set by SASC, the body that governs SpLD assessment quality across the UK. Mark's background as a former SENCo means he understands the school system from the inside, and brings that knowledge to every assessment and report he writes.
Dyslexia Assessments and Local Support in Sheffield
Useful Local Information
Useful Local Information
- Derbyshire Information, Advice and Support Service (DIASS) – free, impartial SEND advice New Beetwell Street, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1QJ Tel: 01629 533668 | www.ias.service@derbyshire.gov.uk | derbyshireiass.co.uk
- Derbyshire Parent Carer Voice (DPCV) – local parent carer network Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1QJ Tel: 01629 533666 | derbyshire@parentforums.co.uk | derbyshireparentcarervoice.org
- Derbyshire Local Offer – local SEND services and provision localoffer.derbyshire.gov.uk
E-mail: Mark@definingdyslexia.org
We operate virtually across the UK, providing accessible support wherever you are. For in-person appointments, we serve Sheffield, Peterborough, and the surrounding area. Contact us to learn more!