03/31/2024
Richard Branson has been very outspoken about his dyslexia and a great inspiration!
I stumbled across this school reports from the Easter break, 65 years ago. It felt very fitting to hear that I was “very backward” in spelling and reading – as I get set to launch my audiobook next week! In case you can’t read the handwriting, here are a few highlights:
Classics: “Very keen, but handicapped by a bad memory. Some progress.”
Mathematics: “The first half of the term saw a great improvement in his work, but once he began to get onto really new processes his keenness declined, and his standard dropped.”
French: “A slight improvement this term but his work is still below standard.”
English: “He is still very backward in this subject, especially in spelling and reading - constant practice in the latter is necessary.”
Drawing: “If he took a little care he could be good.”
Going through school with undiagnosed dyslexia wasn’t at all fun, but I’m glad I didn’t let it squash my big ideas. I hope this inspires anyone out there who might be struggling at school right now. Just remember there’s a whole lot more to life out there, and one day you’ll be able to look back on these reports and smile.
