Educational Assessments to Understand What’s Getting in the Way
When learning is difficult, it isn’t always obvious why. A child may be struggling with reading, writing, maths, memory, attention or confidence – or there may be several things happening at the same time. At The Learning Arc, assessments are designed to build a clearer understanding of the individual learner, identify areas where support may be needed and help families understand what to do next.
Whether you already have a specific concern or simply know that something isn’t quite working, the right assessment can provide clarity and practical next steps.
Not sure which assessment you need? You don’t need to decide before getting in touch.
More Than a Digital Screener
Many screening services rely primarily on a computerised test or standardised score. At The Learning Arc, assessment is more individual. A carefully selected range of assessment activities, professional observation and background information is used to understand how the learner approaches tasks, where difficulties may be occurring and where their strengths lie.
The result is not simply a screening score. It is a clearer picture of the individual learner and what may help them move forward.
Every screening and learning assessment includes an individually written report explaining the findings, personalised recommendations and a follow-up consultation to talk through the results and next steps. Reports are normally provided within one week of assessment.
INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT
Selected according to the learner and the reason for referral.
PERSONALISED REPORT
Individually written to explain the findings, strengths, difficulties and recommendations clearly.
PRACTICAL NEXT STEPS
Clear recommendations for home, school, further assessment or additional support.
RECOMMENDED WHEN YOU’RE NOT SURE WHERE TO START
The Arc Profile
When you know something is getting in the way of learning, but you’re not sure what.
Sometimes a learner is struggling but the reason isn’t immediately clear. There may already be questions about dyslexia, attention or another area of difficulty. In other cases, parents or teachers simply know that a learner is not making the progress they would expect.
The Learning Arc Profile is a broader educational assessment for children and young people aged 7+ when a fuller understanding of learning is needed.
Rather than beginning with the assumption that one particular condition is responsible, it looks across different areas of learning to build a clearer picture of the learner’s individual strengths and difficulties and identify where additional support or further assessment may be helpful.
This can be particularly valuable when difficulties overlap, when the reason for a learner’s struggles is unclear, or when an important area of difficulty may previously have been overlooked.
Families receive a detailed, individually written report explaining the findings in accessible language, together with personalised recommendations. The report can also be shared with school to help teachers understand the learner’s needs and the support that may help.
A follow-up consultation is included to discuss the findings, recommendations and possible next steps.
The Arc Profile is an educational assessment. It does not provide a medical diagnosis of conditions such as ADHD or autism. Where appropriate, the findings may help identify areas that would benefit from further specialist investigation.
Age: 7+
Price: £290
Includes:
• Detailed personalised written report
• Personalised recommendations
• Follow-up consultation
Reports are normally provided within one week.
Already Know What You’re Concerned About?
If you already have a particular concern, a more targeted assessment may be the right place to start. These assessments explore specific areas of learning in greater depth, helping to identify strengths, difficulties and practical next steps. If you’re unsure which option is most appropriate, you don’t need to decide alone. A free initial consultation can help identify the best starting point.
FROM AGE 5
Early Dyslexia Screening
When a young child is finding reading, spelling or phonics difficult, identifying areas of difficulty early can help ensure that appropriate support begins as soon as possible.
Early Dyslexia Screening explores early literacy development, including phonological awareness and phonics, to identify strengths, difficulties and areas where additional teaching or intervention may be needed.
It can be particularly useful for families who have concerns about possible dyslexia but whose child is still too young for a full diagnostic assessment.
The aim is not to provide a diagnosis at this age, but to understand where difficulties may be occurring and provide practical, personalised recommendations for support.
Age: 5+
Duration: approximately 30–45 minutes
Format: Face-to-face
Price: £150
Includes: Personalised written report • Individual recommendations • Follow-up consultation
FROM AGE 7
Dyslexia Screening
A Dyslexia Screening can be a useful first step when there are concerns about reading, spelling or literacy but you are unsure whether a full diagnostic assessment is needed.
The assessment explores indicators associated with dyslexia alongside the learner’s individual pattern of strengths and difficulties.
The findings can help you understand whether dyslexia may warrant further investigation, where support may be needed and whether a full diagnostic assessment would be an appropriate next step.
Age: 7+
Duration: approximately 1 hour
Price: £245
Includes: Personalised written report • Individual recommendations • Follow-up consultation
FROM AGE 7
Literacy Assessment
Not every literacy difficulty is caused by dyslexia.
A Literacy Assessment is designed to identify specific gaps that may be making reading, spelling or writing more difficult.
Depending on the learner’s needs, assessment can explore areas including phonological awareness, phonics knowledge, spelling patterns and rules, reading accuracy, decoding, fluency, comprehension and patterns of reading errors.
Written language can also be considered, including spelling, vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar and punctuation.
The aim is to identify where learning may have broken down so that teaching and support can be more precisely targeted.
Age: 7+
Duration: approximately 1 hour
Price: £245
Includes: Personalised written report • Individual recommendations • Follow-up consultation
AGES 7–14
Maths Difficulties & Dyscalculia Screening
Some learners find maths persistently difficult despite teaching and support.
This assessment explores mathematical strengths and difficulties and considers how the learner approaches and solves mathematical problems, rather than relying on a single screening score.
Assessment may include a recognised dyscalculia screener alongside additional assessment, professional observation and background information. Relevant areas such as working memory and processing skills may also be considered to help understand factors that could be affecting mathematical learning.
The learner’s approach to problem solving, confidence around maths and possible maths anxiety can also be explored, including through appropriate questionnaires and background information.
The purpose is to identify patterns of difficulty, possible indicators of dyscalculia and areas where targeted support may be beneficial.
Age: 7–14
Duration: approximately 45–60 minutes
Price: £245
Includes: Personalised written report • Individual recommendations • Follow-up consultation
You Don’t Have to Wait for a Child to Fall Further Behind
When a young child is struggling with reading, spelling or phonics, waiting for difficulties to become more established is not always the best option.
Although a full dyslexia diagnostic assessment may not yet be appropriate, areas such as phonological awareness, phonics and early literacy skills can still be explored.
Identifying gaps early can help parents and teachers understand where a child needs support and make intervention more targeted.
The aim is to identify what they are finding difficult and help put the right support in place as early as possible.
Early understanding can lead to earlier support.
Screening or Diagnostic Assessment?
They serve different purposes – and you don’t need to know which one you need before getting in touch.
Still unsure? That’s completely fine. During a free initial consultation, we can talk about the difficulties you or your child are experiencing and decide which assessment, if any, would be the most useful next step.
UNDERSTAND WHAT MAY BE HAPPENING
Screening & Learning Assessments
Screening and learning assessments help build a clearer understanding of a learner’s strengths and difficulties. Depending on the assessment, they can identify indicators associated with a particular difficulty, highlight gaps in learning and identify areas where additional support may be needed. They can also help determine whether further specialist or diagnostic assessment would be beneficial.
Useful when:
- you have concerns but are unsure what is causing the difficulty
- you want to understand specific areas of learning
- you want practical recommendations for support
- you are unsure whether a full diagnostic assessment is necessary
Screening does not provide a formal diagnosis.
ESTABLISH WHETHER DYSLEXIA CAN BE DIAGNOSED
Full Dyslexia Diagnostic Assessment
A Full Dyslexia Diagnostic Assessment is a more extensive assessment carried out to determine whether an individual meets the criteria for a formal diagnosis of dyslexia. It provides a detailed understanding of the individual’s profile of strengths and difficulties, a formal diagnostic conclusion and comprehensive recommendations.
Useful when:
- a formal dyslexia diagnosis is required
- previous screening suggests further assessment may be appropriate
- difficulties have been persistent and require more detailed investigation
- a comprehensive diagnostic report is needed
Available from age 8, including for adults.
Assessment That Works Around the Learner
The most appropriate setting can vary depending on the assessment, the learner and where you are based. Where possible, assessment arrangements are designed to help the individual feel comfortable and able to show what they can do.
Please note: Early Dyslexia Screening is currently offered face-to-face only. The most appropriate format for other assessments can be discussed during your free initial consultation.
FACE-TO-FACE
Face-to-face appointments are available for assessment services where this is the most appropriate option.
ONLINE
Many assessments can also be completed online, making specialist assessment accessible to children, young people and adults further afield.
HOME OR SCHOOL
For some assessments, appointments may be possible at home or within a school setting, depending on location and individual circumstances.
FINDING THE RIGHT SUPPORT
If The Learning Arc is not the most appropriate option because of location or the type of assessment required, I will be honest about this and can help guide you towards an appropriate next step.
Not sure which assessment fits your concerns? Book a free consultation and we can talk through the most appropriate starting point.