A Bradford secondary school has pioneered a colourful approach to a little-known condition after around 15 Bingley Grammar School pupils were diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome.

Named after an American academic who discovered it in 1983, it causes vision to blur significantly when sufferers read text, sheet music, maths numbers or diagrams.

In a bid to combat the problem, teachers at Bingley have developed a unique system which has changed the way pupils' learn.

Based on an inability to cope with strong print contrasts, Irlen Syndrome can be a particular problem when sufferers read black print on white paper.

Special glasses with coloured lenses have previously been available to help maintain focus - but now Bingley Grammar has gone one step further.

The school has printed text books in a range of lurid colours and produced an eye-catching range of see-through acetates which can be placed over book pages.

Higher level teaching assistant Iris Jay said the move had proved a hit with pupils diagnosed with the condition. She said: "We have always known about Irlen Syndrome which can affect very bright and articulate kids. It is all to do with light sensitivity and can be very debilitating."

Teaching assistant Karen Bottomley said: "It is not a learning difficulty and is hard to pick up because people work out how to compensate."

Pupil Emma Taylor, 15, said: "If I am reading a paragraph the middle of it disappears or I get white lines on it. But when I look at a green text book it makes it all better."

Celia Stone, who runs the Irlen Centre's North East England branch from a base in Guiseley, said: "People have wasted a lot of time in education putting on sticking plasters. Bingley Grammar is addressing the problem directly."

Jeanne Stitt from Education Bradford said the school's approach could be rolled out throughout the district if it proved a success.

e-mail: dan.webber@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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