.
Listen with ResponsiveVoice
In 2024 the WFDA are a chosen charity for the Waltham Forest Mayor Sharon Waldron
Classes
WFDA provides online literacy classes and face-to-face/in person numeracy classes for primary and secondary children. Any new referrals for these classes should go through WFDA’s Children’s Programme Manager Karen Sparkes via email at karen.sparkes@wfda.org.uk
WFDA Touch Typing Classes
WFDA deliver 2 x Touch Typing Classes at two separate locations on the following days and venues:
- Tuesdays at Henry Maynard Primary School, Maynard Road E17 9JE from 4.20pm – 5.10pm. The classes will run at this location every Tuesday during the school term time.
- Thursdays at Walthamstow School for Girls, Church Hill E17 9RZ from 4.10 – 5.00pm. The classes will run at this location every Thursday during school term time.
Cost: The classes will cost £8.00 per week and WFDA requires half termly payments to be made in advance of starting the classes.
Need to know: Our Touch Typing Tutor is also a qualified teacher who has run these classes for the past 17 years. She is keen to see all students achieve whilst having fun, learning along the way. The same Tutor will run the classes on both sites.
Please note: There is no parking or waiting area / reception at either school. Children can be dropped off at the entrance of the school and collected once the lessons have finished. Parking on the roads near each school is, however, an option but please do check for any permit signs before parking.
Class information: Classes will have a maximum of 12 x students, currently we have a few spaces available which will be on a first come first serve basis. If interest increases, then we will look at potentially running additional classes.
What do you need to do: If you are interested and would like your child to attend Touch Typing classes, then please email Karen Sparkes: Karen.Sparkes@wfda.org.uk
Screening
We will take new referrals for primary screening in September. At present the primary screener is dealing with the backlog from the pandemic. If you have previously contacted us about a screening and have not heard anything, please get in touch with Elly Pearce: elly.pearce@wfda.org.uk
For Secondary screenings contact Katherine Marshall on 07790 038 706 Monday – Friday between 10am – 8pm, or Saturday – Sunday between 2pm – 6pm.
The Helpline will run as usual.
For Adult screenings contact Lois Hood on 07815 800 629 Monday – Friday between 10am – 8pm, or Saturday – Sunday between 2pm – 6pm. You can also email her at lois.hood@wfda.org.uk
Sir Jack Petchey CBE
WFDA have been saddened to learn of the death of Sir Jack Petchey CBE on 27 June 2024.
Sir Jack Petchey CBE led an extraordinary life, growing up in Manor Park, East London and leaving school aged 13 with no qualifications. His focused determination, combined with his entrepreneurial skills enabled him to build a multi-million-pound empire. However, Sir Jack Petchey was passionate about young people and dedicated his life to inspiring young people which is why his charity Jack Petchey Foundation was birthed in 1999.
The Jack Petchey Foundation has invested over £170 million in grants to support youth projects across London and Essex. Sir Jack entrepreneurial skills saw the delivery of a range of creative and innovative schemes for young people involving positive engagement in their learning, public speaking, dance, sport and music. The schemes all aim to boost aspirations by rewarding young people’s achievements and encouraging them to take pride in what they have done.
WFDA have been the recipient of the Jack Petchey Foundation Bronze Scheme Award for almost 10 years and have been able to award many of our students for their positive engagement and progress within our support classes. As a results our students have been encouraged and inspired to believe they can achieve. As a charity we have received funding to enable us to buy resources and hold celebration parties all of which promote positivity and hope amongst those who engage with the WFDA.
We want to take this opportunity to thank the Jack Petchey Foundation for their consistent generosity, support and belief in what we do here at WFDA – supporting young people to believe they can achieve! Thank you, Sir Jack Petchey CBE, your legacy will continue to live on for many years to come!
Karen Sparkes
WFDA Children’s Programme Manager
Benjamin Zephaniah
Click here to read our tribute to Benjamin Zephaniah
The adult group is not meeting face to face but we are meeting virtually so please look out for announcements on the website.
See the Adult Advocate programme of talks as shown on our partner charity web
Summer Transition Club
Summer Transition Club 2024 will be taking place between 29th July – 2nd August 2024 at Forest School, Snaresbrook from 10am – 3.30pm each day. The club is aimed at year 6 children who are dyslexic or dyspraxia moving to year 7 (secondary school) in September 2024. For more information and to book your FREE place please contact: maxine.johnson@wfda.org.uk.
WFDA featured in British Dyslexia Association ‘Contact’ Magazine
