Specialist Teacher Association Granted Charity Status to Expand Support for Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties
On Wednesday 1 October, 2025, Patoss, the largest professional association in the UK for specialist teachers and professionals working with learners with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs), proudly announced its new status as a registered charity. The association will continue to operate under its full name but will also use the working name of Patoss Dyslexia Charity.
This milestone marks a significant achievement for Patoss in its mission to empower educators, raise awareness, and improve outcomes for individuals with SpLDs such as dyslexia, dyspraxia/DCD, dyscalculia, and ADHD.
Lesley Browne, the CEO of Patoss, expressed her enthusiasm for the new status, stating, “Becoming a charity strengthens our commitment to supporting the professionals who make a difference every day in the lives of learners with SpLDs. It allows us to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and ensure that high-quality support is accessible to all who need it.”
Lynn Greenwold OBE, Patoss Advisor on Policy and Educational Development and Chair of SASC (SpLD Assessment Standards Committee), also shared her pride in the association’s new status, saying, “I am proud to see Patoss is now recognized as a charity. We have always worked in the public interest, and our new charitable status underlines that. We hope this will enable us to do even more to help people with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) succeed in their education and workplace by nourishing the professionals who teach, assess, and support them.”
Holly, a member of Patoss, praised the benefits of being a member, stating, “Being a Patoss member has been incredibly beneficial for my professional development as a tutor and assessor. The wide range of professional support available has significantly enhanced the support I can offer to students and adult learners.”
She went on to explain how the mentoring support has provided her with bespoke advice on assessment practice and diagnostic decisions, boosting her confidence as an assessor and positively impacting the experience of those she assesses. Through the APC renewal process, Holly has received detailed, expert feedback on her practice, helping her target areas for improvement. The ongoing access to support from other professionals and experts through the Patoss forums has also been beneficial in providing a platform to share experiences, seek advice, and stay connected with the community.
Holly also praised the breadth of training available, both live and on-demand, which fits perfectly with the juggle of family and work life, enabling her to maintain a high standard of continuous professional development. Being listed on the tutor index has also ensured that individuals who need support can access it effectively.
As a charity, Patoss will continue to offer expert-led accredited training and CPD, mentoring, policy guidance, and practical resources, while also increasing its advocacy and outreach efforts across education and workplace settings. The transition also opens new opportunities for collaboration, funding, and community engagement, enabling Patoss to further its vision of a more inclusive society where every learner can thrive.
Founded over 30 years ago, Patoss is the UK’s largest professional membership body dedicated to supporting those who work with learners with SpLDs. Its members include specialist teachers, assessors, SENCOs, tutors, lecturers, and other professionals across education and employment sectors.
For further information, interviews, or media enquiries, please contact:
E: info@patoss-dyslexia.org
T: 01386 257808
W: www.patoss-dyslexia.org
Notes to Editors:
Patoss Dyslexia Charity (Registered Charity No. 1213705, Registered Company No. 05280223)
SASC: https://www.sasc.org.uk/
