This year’s Dyslexia Awareness Week Assembly focused on the theme of Art and dyslexia. Although the word ‘dyslexia’ stems from two Latin words: Dys (meaning difficulty) and Lexia (meaning words) ie, difficulty with words, dyslexia can often be found to equip a person with some of the key skills and visual dexterity that make brilliant artists, engineers and designers. Indeed, some of the most influential artists throughout history are believed to have been dyslexic, including Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.  

At a Design Junction show in 2019, a group of architects, designers and artists took part in a panel with Cambridge researcher Helen Taylor entitled Dyslexia and Design, exploring the idea that ‘designing with dyslexia is a cognitive plus’. They explored research which demonstrates that dyslexia can make creative-led professions like design more practicable, and suggests that people with dyslexia tend to process information in a more exploratory way, more globally and can be faster at some tasks because they are used to, and adept at, taking in the whole picture. 

In recognition of this, and to highlight October's Dyslexia Awareness Week, Senior School Art teacher Mrs Gilbert delivered an assembly on the talented and progressive work of two of our recent Sixth Form alumnae, who truly showcased the creativity of our Blackheath High School students with dyslexia.  

Eloise and Katie both recently left Blackheath High School to take up places at fantastic universities. Eloise, who studied Art and Textiles at A-level, was offered a place at the London College of Fashion to study Fashion Design and Development, having submitted an outstanding portfolio of work that allowed her to go directly to Degree level rather than via the Foundation Course route which is often required at Art colleges. Similarly, Katie found her passion whilst studying Art A-level, specialising in using unusual sculpting materials to create her work. This led her to apply for a degree in Prosthetics and Special Effects Design at Solent University, another extremely competitive course. 

During the assembly we heard from Art department colleagues – also designers with dyslexia – Ms Copley and Ms Veevers, who shared their experiences and recent artwork in a lovely dialogue captured on video below. Ms Copley regularly exhibits at Cockpit Arts Studio in Deptford, whilst Art technician Ms Veevers shared some of her recent works. Commenting on designing with dyslexia, Ms Copley describes being dyslexic as “allowing you to think creatively and outside the box. You may just need to take a different route to get to where to want to get to.” Ms Veevers added, “My dyslexia has pushed me to learn in different ways and appreciate how visual learning is just as helpful as conventional ways of learning.” 

Listen to our own 'Designers with dyslexia' dialogue. 

Special thanks also go to the students who performed the word Dyslexia at the assembly and shared some of their artwork, particularly the Year 7 and Year 10 pupils who showed that being neurodiverse is “exciting, wonderful, special, memorable, different and busy.” 

Read the 'Designing with dyslexia is a cognitive plus' article in Design Week.