Individual specialist assessment
One-to-one, individually administered assessment carried out at a comfortable pace.
Learning Profiles
Understand the difficulty before deciding the next step.
Focused specialist assessment for reading, dyslexia-related difficulties and maths. Children can struggle academically for many different reasons. A Learning Profile provides a focused assessment of specific skills to help families and schools understand what is happening, what support may help, and whether a more comprehensive diagnostic assessment should be considered.
Learning Profiles
Not every child needs a full diagnostic assessment straight away
Guiding Star Learning Profiles provide a focused, specialist assessment of the skills underlying reading, spelling or maths difficulties. Using individually administered, standardised assessment measures, we identify patterns of strength and difficulty, explain what the results mean for learning, and provide practical recommendations for home and school.
Learning Profile
Reading & Dyslexia Profile
£100
Is your child struggling with reading, spelling or literacy, but you are not yet sure why? This specialist screening profile explores the key skills associated with successful literacy development and dyslexic-type difficulties.
What this profile explores
- Word reading
- Phonics and decoding
- Reading fluency
- Spelling
- Phonological awareness
- Rapid automatic naming
- Phonological / verbal memory
- Strengths and areas requiring support
- Practical recommendations for school and home
- Advice on whether a full diagnostic dyslexia assessment may be appropriate
Please note: this is a screening and learning profile and does not provide a formal diagnosis of dyslexia. The £100 fee is deducted from the cost of a full diagnostic assessment if you go on to book one.
Learning Profile
Maths Learning Profile
£100
Does your child struggle with maths despite support or practice? A Maths Learning Profile looks beneath the surface to identify which areas of mathematical learning may be creating difficulty.
What this profile explores
- Number sense
- Quantity and magnitude
- Calculation
- Mathematical reasoning
- Maths fact fluency and retrieval
- Understanding mathematical problems
- Rapid numerical processing
- Working-memory or processing demands, where appropriate
- Strengths and areas requiring support
- Practical recommendations for school and home
- Advice on whether further specialist assessment may be beneficial
Please note: this is a specialist maths screening and learning profile. It does not provide a formal diagnosis of dyscalculia. Where a further full diagnostic assessment is recommended and booked with us, the £100 fee is deducted from its cost.
What you receive
Every Learning Profile includes
A focused, thorough process designed to give you clarity, not just data.
Standardised assessment results
Results measured against recognised, standardised assessment tools.
A clear explanation
An explanation of strengths and areas of difficulty in plain, accessible language.
Interpretation of findings
Clear interpretation of what the findings may mean for your child's learning.
Practical recommendations
Realistic recommendations for support at home and at school.
Guidance on next steps
Advice about appropriate next steps, including whether further diagnostic assessment should be considered.
Important to know
What a Learning Profile can and cannot tell you
What it can do
A Learning Profile can identify areas of strength and difficulty, explore dyslexic-type difficulties or areas of mathematical learning that may be creating challenge, and guide appropriate next steps and support.
What it cannot do
A Learning Profile is not a diagnostic assessment and cannot confirm a diagnosis of dyslexia or dyscalculia. It is designed to identify indicators, understand strengths and difficulties, and consider whether further diagnostic assessment may be appropriate.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How is a Learning Profile different from a full diagnostic assessment?
A Learning Profile is a focused, standardised assessment of specific underlying skills. A full diagnostic assessment is more comprehensive and is required for a formal diagnosis of dyslexia. A Learning Profile helps you understand whether that fuller step is likely to be worthwhile.
Will I get a diagnosis from a Learning Profile?
No. A Learning Profile does not provide a formal diagnosis of dyslexia or dyscalculia. It identifies patterns of strength and difficulty and gives clear guidance on appropriate next steps, including whether further diagnostic assessment may be appropriate.
How long does a Learning Profile take?
Learning Profiles are shorter and more focused than a full diagnostic assessment, typically completed in a single session. Exact timing depends on the profile and the individual.
Can a Learning Profile be used for exam access arrangements?
Exam access arrangements require evidence from a full diagnostic assessment. A Learning Profile can, however, help you understand whether pursuing a full assessment is likely to be worthwhile.
Which profile is right for my child — reading or maths?
If your concerns relate to reading, spelling or literacy, the Reading & Dyslexia Profile is the right starting point. If the difficulty is specifically with maths, the Maths Learning Profile is more appropriate. If you're unsure, get in touch and we can help you decide.
Get started
Enquire About a Reading & Dyslexia Profile
Tell us a little about your child and your concerns, and we'll come back to you, usually within one working day.
Get started
Enquire About a Maths Learning Profile
Tell us a little about your child and your concerns, and we'll come back to you, usually within one working day.
Not sure which Learning Profile is right?
Book a free, no-obligation consultation and we'll help you decide the best starting point for your child.