Bermuda Parent Bermuda Parent Fall 2018 | Page 13

PERSONALISED LEARNING Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning BCCL was created for children starting at age 7, who have learning differences and learn best in a non-traditional environment that facilitates each student’s individual learning style. child succeed. Joshua, like all children with learning differences needs a whole team approach. At BCCL, we are able to provide that for him because of our small student to teacher ratio, and the ability to personalize students’ learn- ing.” expressed Lindsey Sirju, BCCL Co-founder. “Joshua gets frequent, timed breaks and short, intense work periods, in which he is expected to work,” explained Mrs Kelly. “That level of accountability is very warming as he’s getting essential skills for his future.” The school has been open to the use of different technologies to assist their students, and Joshua has a specialized reading pen. “They are very open to seeking the best methods to reach each student individually,” said Mrs Kelly. She said Joshua has thrived in an environment that embraces his learning differences, and he has “owned his chal- lenges in a very mature manner.” “He is aware of all his many diagnoses and sees them in a positive light. My favou- rite thing to hear him say is, “Did you know so-and-so has dyslexia/ ADHD/a learning disability too? She/he is very smart.” “He’s learned that a diagnosis does not preclude intelligence and success, and he’s not ashamed, or upset, or hurt that he has special learn- ing needs. He’s always been very outgo- ing and friendly, and I’m happy that he gets to thrive in an environment where different is normal.” According to cur- rent research in The State of LD: Under- standing Learning and Attention Issues, National Center for Learning Disabilities, 1 in 5 children in the US have learning and attention issues, but only a small subset are formally identified with a disability in school. To compare these statistics with Bermuda, 8,711 children were enrolled in preschool through Secondary (noted in the Bermuda Digest of Statistics 2017). If 20% of that number had learning disabilities, there could be 1,742 children with learn- ing and attention deficits island-wide. The need for educational services for these children is growing. Students whose needs are not being met often fall below grade level. BCCL enrols students beginning at age 7. To support their growing enrolment, the school is moving to a larger facility in the city of Hamilton this com- ing September 2018. Visit their website: www.bccl.bm for more information. Prior to enrolling at BCCL, students are required to be assessed on island or away and have been diagnosed with learning differences, such as dyslexia, auditory processing disorder, ADHD and other language-based disorders. BCCL is recognised as a private school by the Bermuda Ministry of Education. Contact us Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning Brown-Brangman Building 100 Reid Street Hamilton, Bermuda HM 12 Telephone 1.441.824.1111 Email [email protected] Website www.bccl.bm Charity #985 www.mybermudaparent.com 11