ABSTRACT
How can specialist teaching be efficiently and effectively directed at children with specific learning difficulties? This question has exercised professionals for many years. If pupils’ learning difficulties have not been met by schools using their own staff, a case could be made for the establishment of a separate LEA service. The demonstration of a highly effective remedial education centre at Selly Wick House, Birmingham, by Schonell and Wall of the University of Birmingham School of Education, was seminal (Schonell and Wall, 1949). Pupils who were ‘underachieving’ in reading and other basic skills were identified and helped.
