The 4D Schools programme - what's involved? Based on principles of empowerment, collaboration and change, the revolutionary 4D programme was designed in consultation with international dyslexia expert Neil Mackay. It provides access to a national and international framework of learnings, insights and advice which can both make life easier in the classroom for teachers and improve learning outcomes for students. 4D | For Dyslexia – which also stands for 4 Difference and 4 Diversity – extends the common perception of three dimensions to embrace a fourth dimension based on creativity. This fourth dimension is likened to a dyslexic or atypical way of thinking which can offer great creative gifts if addressed correctly. The 4D Schools programme is designed to support new thinking on dyslexia in the Kiwi classroom, and help teachers take the simple steps necessary to ensure dyslexic students harness their potential. The most advanced resource in this area ever made available to New Zealand schools, the programme also offers significant benefits for teachers. When small changes to the classroom environment can create marked improvements in student engagement and behaviour, a teaching stress is removed.

Our consultant Neil Mackay, also the architect of the acclaimed British Dyslexia Friendly Schools initiative, is one of the world’s leading thinkers on dyslexia and the author of the renowned resource book Removing Dyslexia as a Barrier to Achievement. An experienced teacher with more than 26 years experience in mainstream schools; he has been an HM schools inspector; and consults to Education Authorities and Departments in the UK, Hong Kong and Malta. The 4D Schools programme revolves around a ‘notice and adjust’ teaching paradigm, with comprehensive guidance on noticing students who are having issues and adjusting the teaching to suit. It includes a comprehensive resource of simple classroom changes which fit with the expectations of the new National Curriculum and will drive the kind of measurable progress mandated by the Government’s Crusade for Literacy and Numeracy. You can read more about Neil Mackay and notice and adjust at our dedicated 4D Edge webspace. Other exciting 4D developments include a new 4D Virtual Classroom, presenting student views on classroom changes that work for them.

4D Schools are leading schools – campaigning Best Practice. Get it Right for Dyslexics – Get it Right for All. By recognizing different learning styles and thinking preferences, as well as acknowledging diversity, the 4D approach helps all students at risk of underachievement. As teachers ‘notice’ student learning preferences, and ‘adjust’ the teaching style accordingly, 4D assists in accelerating the learning outcomes.  
 
4D Self Review tools and processes allow schools to begin a journey of simple systemic and classroom adjustments over a planned timeframe.  Schools can access expert Professional Development through those listed on our 4D Consultancy pages or others in order to aid and help implement changes at any point throughout the journey.  The end result is becoming a 4D/Best Practice School, where school leaders and staff have unlocked barriers to achievement through policy, strategy, and action to ensure ALL STUDENTS REACH THEIR PERSONAL BEST.  It is easy… and schools are doing much of what is involved already. The process is built on the ERO Self-Review Process which ensures that schools need only measure what is already required by the ERO, therefore huge improvements can be made without requiring more resources.

There are 3 levels of 4D Schools that reflect progress:

Level 1: Upon registering as a 4D School, schools are on level 1. This means that your school has an awareness of dyslexia and has a strong intention to move forward to becoming a 4D/ Best Practice School. A level 1 school has a dyslexia friendly policy in place that is available via the school website or by request. The policy is being implemented in the current school year.

Level 2: This is a school that has set out a realistic timeframe of actionable and measurable adjustments to becoming dyslexia friendly, as determined by all stakeholders, i.e. parents, school staff and BOT. The Action Plan would include evidence of measureable adjustments across the 6 Dimensions of Good Practice as set out by ERO. These are:

1. Student Learning, Engagement and Achievement
2. Engaging Parents and Whanau
3. Effective Teaching
4. Leading and Managing the School
5. Safe and Inclusive Culture
6. Governing the School   

A level 2 school is likely to remain at this level for at least a year whilst changes are being implemented and refined.

Level 3: This is a school that has gone through a self-administered Pre-Audit, Action Plan, whole staff PD and Post-Audit and can demonstrate to its stakeholders that dyslexia-friendly practices are positively impacting all 6 Dimensions of the school. This school is a 4D/Best Practice School; a school in which a parent can confidently see that their child is provided full access to the NZ curriculum by recognising the individual's learning preferences.

4D Consultancy has a select number of independent experts from NZ and UK that can provide the assistance and professional development required by a school or cluster. These consultants are all very familiar with 4D and each has their own specialist skills.

To sign up for the 4D Schools programme or to join our mailing list for those that support schools click here.

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