Specialist support from Dyslexia Sparks helped Lillie build confidence and  improve communication skills leading to success in her BAE Systems apprenticeship interview.
We’re proud to share the success of one of our long-standing students, Lillie, who has secured an apprenticeship with BAE Systems. Her story shows how specialist tuition focusing on language skills and building confidence can help young people with dyslexia achieve their goals.
Lillie was assessed for dyslexia at the age of 10 and began working with Dyslexia Sparks shortly after. As one of the first students to join our tuition programme, Lillie spent over five years developing her learning strategies, building confidence, and strengthening key skills – completing the programme by the end of Year 11. We worked with her strong visual memory to introduce techniques for recognising correctly spelled words. As a result, her standardised scores improved significantly and soon fell comfortably within the expected range for her age.
Lillie said that the tuition helped her with both spelling and speech, she shared: “If I didn’t go to Sparks, I don’t think I’d have had the confidence to do the interview.”
”I learnt how to articulate myself and gained confidence – this was crucial in my interview for the BAE apprenticeship
As part of her support, Lillie accessed assistive technology and exam access arrangements, including extra time, a separate room, coloured paper, specialist glasses, and a reader pen. She found the reader pen particularly helpful:
“With an in-person reader you have to put your hand up and ask them to help you read, which is a bit awkward. With a reader pen, you can use it yourself. The headphones also block out noise, so it helps you concentrate.”
How Lillie Got the BAE Systems Apprenticeship
Lillie applied for the Women in Engineering T-Level Apprenticeship with BAE Systems. Although degree-level apprenticeships require A-levels in STEM subjects – which can be challenging for some students with dyslexia – T Levels offer an excellent alternative. In the future, Lillie will still have the option to complete a degree if her chosen specialism requires it.
T Levels are technical courses that combine classroom learning with practical work placements. They’re a great choice for young people who want hands-on experience in their chosen field while continuing to study.
Lillie will begin her apprenticeship in September. She’ll spend her first year at the BAE training centre at Humberside Airport, followed by three years working across different departments at BAE – gaining experience and deciding where to specialise.
A Message from Dyslexia Sparks
Jane Craig, Dyslexia Sparks Founding Director initially taught Lillie in tuition and said:
“I’m so proud of the progress Lillie made during her time with us. Seeing the results actualised by achieving this apprenticeship is great confirmation that all of your hard work and commitment to learning has been worth it.”
We are thrilled for Lillie and wish her every success in the future. Her journey shows what’s possible when the right support is in place – and we can’t wait to see what she’ll achieve next.
Keep sharing your unique spark, Lillie!
Inspired by Lillie’s Journey?
If you would like to discuss specialist dyslexia tuition and have a free consultation with a teacher, please contact us today to see how we can support you and your child going forward. You can also email our main office: [email protected]