Dyslexia Assessments in Stamford
Stamford is one of England's most beautiful market towns, with a strong community of families, professionals, and students across the town and surrounding Lincolnshire and Rutland border area. Whether you are a parent whose child attends one of Stamford's schools, an adult professional who has long suspected dyslexia might explain longstanding difficulties, or a student preparing a DSA application, Defining Dyslexia offers specialist assessments that give you something clear and concrete to work with.
Many families across Stamford, Bourne, Market Deeping, Ketton, and surrounding villages contact Defining Dyslexia after long waits for support or concerns raised by school. Many people search for a "dyslexia test" in Stamford when what they need is a full diagnostic assessment, and that is exactly what Defining Dyslexia provides.
What You Can Expect from a Defining Dyslexia Assessment?
Every assessment is built around you. Here is what makes Defining Dyslexia the right choice for families and individuals across Stamford
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.
Stamford is home to the Stamford Endowed Schools, comprising Stamford School, Stamford High School, and Stamford Junior School, all of which require formal diagnostic reports for access arrangement applications under JCQ regulations. Defining Dyslexia provides SASC-compliant reports that give the school's SENCo or examinations officer the detailed diagnostic evidence needed to support that process.
Mark also has a personal connection to Stamford, having previously worked in a local school, which gives him a genuine understanding of the town's educational landscape and the families he supports there.
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 Stamford clients
My child's school in Stamford has mentioned dyslexia but suggested we wait and see. What should I do?
A wait and see approach is sometimes appropriate in the early stages, but if concerns have been raised more than once, if your child is receiving additional support that does not seem to be making a difference, or if your own instinct tells you something more significant is going on, a formal assessment can provide the clarity that a watching brief cannot. Many parents in Stamford contact Defining Dyslexia precisely because they have been waiting and feel no further forward. An initial conversation with Mark costs nothing and can help you decide whether the time is right to proceed.
01
Can the assessment take place at my child's school or a local venue in Stamford?
Yes. Face-to-face assessments can be carried out at your child's school or at a suitable local venue in or around Stamford. Home visits are also available where preferred. Remote assessments are equally available and are a popular choice for Stamford families. Where a venue needs to be arranged, this will always be discussed and agreed with you in advance.
02
Can the report support access arrangement applications at Stamford School or Stamford High School?
Yes. A Defining Dyslexia report provides the detailed diagnostic evidence that schools need to support an access arrangement application. Schools follow their own internal process under JCQ regulations, and it is the school's SENCo or examinations officer who leads that process using the specialist evidence provided. Mark is happy to discuss how the report can best support the school's application process.
03
My GP has said they cannot test for dyslexia. What should I do?
This is very common and your GP is correct. Dyslexia is not a medical condition and cannot be diagnosed through the NHS. A formal diagnostic assessment can only be carried out by a qualified specialist assessor such as a PATOSS-registered practitioner. Defining Dyslexia provides exactly that, a full independent diagnostic assessment with a written report that is accepted by schools, universities, employers, and local authorities across the UK. If you are unsure whether an assessment is the right step, get in touch and Mark is happy to have an initial conversation at no obligation.
04
My child is doing well academically at their Stamford school but I still have concerns. Should I pursue an assessment?
Yes, if your instinct tells you something is not quite right it is worth exploring. Many children with dyslexia develop strong coping strategies that mask their difficulties, particularly in well-resourced school environments. A formal assessment looks beneath surface performance to understand how your child actually processes information, and can identify support needs that would otherwise go unrecognised.
05
Is the assessment report accepted by Stamford maintained schools and Lincolnshire County Council?
Yes. Every report is written to SASC standards and is accepted by maintained schools, colleges, and local authorities across the UK, including within the Stamford and Lincolnshire area.
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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 Stamford
Useful Local Information
- Liaise Lincolnshire – free, impartial SEND advice for Lincolnshire families County Offices, Newland, Lincoln, LN1 1YQ Tel: 0800 195 1635 | liaise@lincolnshire.gov.uk | liaiselincolnshire.org.uk Connecttosupport
- Lincolnshire Local Offer – local SEND services and provision lincolnshire.gov.uk/send-local-offer
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!