On 28 June Lord Lexden was the guest of honour at parents’ open day at Maple Hayes Hall School, outside Lichfield (to which he was driven from the railway station in a splendid 1936 Riley). Maple Hayes is one of the very few independent special schools for children with specific learning difficulties approved by the Department for Education. It has a remarkable record in enabling seriously underachieving pupils to overcome dyslexia using unique methods and techniques derived from internationally acclaimed research carried out by Dr Neville Brown who established the school in 1982( it is now run by his son, Dr Daryl Brown, who has continued his father’s research).Of the 120 pupils at this small, immensely hospitable school, 118 are funded by local education authorities and the other two have charitable assistance with fees.
After visiting a number of classrooms –one adorned with fine paintings of ancient Egyptians and another with ingenious devices using empty yoghurt pots—Alistair Lexden presented badges, cups and shields for a range of different sports as well as for academic achievements and contributions to the life of the school. All those leaving the school were given smart document cases recording their achievements. Alistair Lexden was given his own award: a copy of Meaning, Morphemes and Literacy, a collection of essays published by the two Drs Brown.
Speaking briefly after the prize-giving, Alistair Lexden praised the affection for, and commitment to, the school that teachers, children and parents so clearly shared—the latter present in large numbers with their families. “The sense of community”, he said, “is extremely strong. This is a very special school, in all senses of the word”.