Tributes to Sir Jim Rose

At the British Dyslexia Association we know only too well the difference that a single person can make. Whether that is a teacher, a parent, a psychologist, an academic or a campaigner, the impact that an individual may have can be far reaching and the ripple effects may be felt for generations.

That is certainly true of Sir Jim Rose. Sir Jim was first and foremost a school leader. He understood exactly what is was like to be at the frontline of education responsible for delivering effective learning to children and young people because he had done it. And he knew from experience that the critical barrier for many children achieving their potential was literacy.

Sir Jim’s dedication to promoting the vital importance of reading has resulted in a powerful legacy: as a headteacher, as chief inspector at Ofsted, as an independent reviewer of government enquiries and as the President of the National Foundation for Educational Research. Each of his reports has made waves: the Review of the Teaching of Early Reading (2006), the Review of the Primary Curriculum (2008) and, crucially, the Review on Dyslexia (2009).

His recommendations in the 2009 report ‘Identifying and Teaching Children and Young People with Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties’ are very clear: early identification, the development of core, advanced and specialist skills, accountability for adhering to the SEN Code of Practice, parental engagement and the auditing and evaluation of provision. We still look forward to these recommendations being implemented.

Sir Jim alongside his many achievements in the Dyslexia space was both a brilliant and lovely man. His excellence, his dedication, and his passion to fight for Dyslexia and those with other SpLDs has left a lasting legacy. Most notably for me was the transformative Rose review into Dyslexia which was published in 2009.

I will always remember when Sir Jim came to speak at the All Party Parliamentary Group for Dyslexia and Other SpLDs, which I chair, in 2017. We spoke about the impact of the Rose review and his thoughts on it amongst many other topics including many of the challenges we are still facing today. There have been some remarkable advances with Dyslexia and other SpLDs due solely to Sir Jim's transformative and devoted work for the betterment of those with Dyslexia and SpLDs, which we need to see applied more widely. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten."

Sharon Hodgson MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Dyslexia and Other SpLD

Sir Jim Rose made an immeasurable impact in the whole field of education and specifically dyslexia. We saw him as a treasured friend and a trusted pioneer. It goes without saying that he made an immeasurable impact in the whole area of dyslexia from teacher education to teaching approaches. Countless teachers and children benefited enormously from his work in this field - above all he was a very kind and thoughtful man who made a positive impression on all who worked and met him".

Dr. Gavin Reid, Chair BDA Accreditation Board