Explore the learning profile
Careful assessment of relevant skills and processes, considered alongside background information.
Specialist Dyslexia & SpLD Assessment
Understanding strengths.
Supporting the path ahead.
A calm, supportive assessment experience that helps children, young people and their families understand individual learning strengths and needs.
About Clare
Professional expertise, delivered with care
I’m Clare Dagnall, a Specialist Teacher and Dyslexia/SpLD Assessor with around 20 years of experience in primary education. I currently work as a SENCO, supporting children with a wide range of additional learning needs.
I understand that families often arrive with questions and uncertainty. I provide a thoughtful, person-centred assessment that recognises strengths as well as areas of difficulty, followed by clear recommendations for the way forward.
Professional Memberships and Registration
- Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association (BDA)
- Current Assessment Practising Certificate (APC), issued by the BDA
- Listed on the SASC Register of Qualified Assessors
Dyslexia assessments
Clarity that makes a difference
An assessment builds a detailed picture of an individual’s literacy skills, relevant cognitive profile and how they learn. It can identify dyslexia and help explain patterns of strength and difficulty.
Understand the findings
A clear explanation of the results, with space to ask questions and discuss what they mean.
Plan the next steps
A comprehensive written report with practical, individual recommendations for support.
Core services
Assessment, understanding and practical support
Choose a comprehensive diagnostic assessment or a focused service designed around a specific question or area of need.
Assessment services
Full diagnostic dyslexia assessment
A comprehensive, person-centred assessment exploring literacy attainment—including reading, spelling and writing—alongside relevant cognitive processes, strengths and areas of difficulty. This includes a diagnostic decision, a detailed report written using the new SASC 2025 Diagnostic Assessment Report Format, practical recommendations and a feedback consultation.
Focused literacy and learning-profile assessment
A focused assessment of selected areas such as reading, spelling, writing or relevant cognitive processing, with a clear summary of strengths, needs and suggested next steps.
Exam Access Arrangements
Assessment evidence to support a school or college when considering reasonable adjustments, in accordance with current JCQ requirements. The centre remains responsible for decisions and applications.
Please note: A focused assessment provides information about particular areas of learning but does not result in a formal diagnosis of dyslexia. A full diagnostic assessment is required for a diagnostic decision.
Additional support
Initial assessment consultation
A discussion of current concerns, educational history and existing evidence to help decide whether a full or focused assessment may be appropriate.
Feedback and recommendations
An opportunity to discuss assessment findings in everyday terms, ask questions and understand personalised recommendations for home and education.
Existing report review
A review and explanation of a previous diagnostic report, its recommendations and possible next steps. This is not a reassessment or a new diagnostic decision.
Parent and school liaison
With appropriate consent, discussion with parents, schools, SENCOs and other professionals to support shared understanding and next steps.
An up-to-date understanding
The new Delphi definition of dyslexia
In 2025, a multidisciplinary panel of dyslexia experts—including researchers, specialist teachers, educational psychologists and people with dyslexia—published a new consensus definition.
“Dyslexia is a set of processing difficulties that affect the acquisition of reading and spelling.”
Reading fluency and spelling
Difficulties with fluent reading and spelling are recognised as key markers across different ages and languages.
A continuum
Dyslexic difficulties vary from person to person and can be experienced at different levels of severity.
More than one factor
Phonological processing difficulty is the most commonly observed cognitive feature, but it does not explain every individual’s profile. Working memory, processing speed and orthographic skills may also contribute to the impact.
The whole individual
Dyslexia can co-occur with other developmental differences. A careful assessment therefore considers the person’s pattern of strengths, difficulties, history and educational experience—not a single test score.
What this means for families
The updated definition recognises that dyslexia is complex and can present differently over time. My assessments build a clear, individual picture and translate the findings into practical recommendations.
Read the 2025 Delphi study →What to expect
A clear and supportive process
- 1
Initial enquiry
Contact me to briefly discuss your concerns and whether an assessment may be appropriate.
- 2
Background information
Relevant questionnaires and information are gathered before the appointment.
- 3
Assessment appointment
The assessment is completed in a calm environment, with breaks whenever needed.
- 4
Report and feedback
You receive a detailed report and an opportunity to discuss the findings and recommendations.
Fees and availability
Clear fees, agreed before assessment
Begin with a friendly, no-obligation enquiry to discuss which service may be most appropriate.
- Full diagnostic dyslexia assessment
- £525
- Focused literacy and learning-profile assessment
- £250
- Exam access-arrangement assessment
- From £175
A £100 booking deposit is required for a full diagnostic assessment and is deducted from the final balance. Travel costs may apply outside the usual service area. Exam access-arrangement assessments are normally commissioned in partnership with the learner’s school or college.
Ask about fees and availability →Contact
Ready to have a conversation?
Please email with a brief outline of your enquiry. I’ll respond as soon as I can and let you know the next steps.