Build strong literacy, focus and confidence before high school
(Years 5–6).

Year 5–6 only | In-person St Leonards (2065) | Takes ~2 minutes

Is this your child?

Many parents contact us in Years 5–6 because they’re noticing patterns like:

• Reading is slow, effortful, or avoided
• Spelling and writing don’t reflect verbal ability
• Instructions are forgotten or completed out of order
• Homework takes far longer than it should
• Confidence drops after tests or feedback
• NAPLAN results don’t match what you know your child is capable of

These children are often bright and creative — but they’re working much harder than they need to.

This is not a motivation issue.
It’s a learning-foundation issue.

What families notice after the right support

“I think the best part was… he is now willing to start tasks like writing that used to scare him… knowing he can do it.”
— Ronin’s Mum

“And we came out the other side completely different… he is now an avid reader and absolutely chews through Harry Potter’s.”
— Parents of Sam and Markus

“My son now enjoys reading and is often awarded 10 out of 10 with spelling. He now enjoys school.”
— Sara and Robert

Read more success stories

Why Years 5–6 matter

Years 5–6 are a critical window.

NAPLAN often highlights gaps in:

• reading efficiency and comprehension
• spelling and written expression
• working memory and attention
• organisation, sequencing and time awareness

If these foundations aren’t addressed now, the demands of high school can amplify frustration and self-doubt.

Addressing them before Year 7 allows children to enter high school with stronger skills, greater independence, and renewed confidence.

Our approach

We don’t offer generic tutoring.

Our work is assessment-led and personalised, designed to strengthen how your child learns — not just what they practise. This is not an endless Tutoring approach, but an EIGHT-DAY PROGRAM designed to change the way your child learns and processes information. By tailoring the experience to suit their specific learning style, we can change their future.

We support visual and creative learners by:

• using visual and tactile strategies to strengthen working memory
• teaching literacy through meaning, imagery and structure — not rote memorisation
• addressing attention, focus and follow-through in practical ways
• building executive-function foundations such as time, order and sequencing
• supporting confidence so learning becomes sustainable, not stressful

Numeracy support is included where appropriate and taught for understanding rather than rote learning.

Why we start with an assessment

Every child who joins our programs begins with an assessment.

This allows us to:

• confirm whether our approach is suitable
• identify the specific foundations that need strengthening
• recommend the level of support that will genuinely make a difference

We do not place children into programs without this clarity.
Assessment protects outcomes and ensures support is appropriate, not generic.

Assessment fee: $330.

Meet Barbara

Barbara is a trained educator and the founder of Sydney Dyslexia.

Her work is assessment-led and designed for visual and creative learners — strengthening literacy, focus, working memory and learning independence.

Every child begins with an assessment to ensure suitability and an appropriate level of support.

Program structure and pricing

Following assessment, we recommend the level of support that best suits your child’s needs.

Options may include:

• 1 day per week — $200/week (unless Saturdays: $ 300)
• 2 days per week — $400/week
• 3 days per week — $600/week (ideal if numeracy is included)

A minimum of 6 attendances applies, ideally 8.
Missed days may be made up when availability allows.

Placement is guided by assessment and cohort availability.

Prefer to speak with us first? Book a free 15-minute parent call.