ROBERT and Catherine Barrett believe their son has been let down by his school after not recognising he had dyslexia.

They claim their repeated calls for specialist help from staff at the Oaks Primary School fell on deaf ears.

The couple, from Turton Heights, say they were forced to turn to independent experts to confirm their concerns about nine-year-old James.

The school has denied this, claiming it has provided extra help for James since his parents first raised their concerns in 1999.

Mr and Mrs Barrett are considering legal action in the wake of their son's independent examination.

Mr Barrett, a lecturer in hotel and catering management at St Helens College, said: "We feel let down by the school because it has not provided our son with the help he needs.

"Three years ago, we became concerned about James because his reading and writing skills were falling behind his classmates. We spoke with his teachers but they said James was a slow learner and would catch up. They refused to consider dyslexia."

"At first we were reassured by this, but, as time went on and he failed to make any progress, we became increasingly concerned."

Eventually Mr and Mrs Barrett had James assessed by experts at the Bolton-based Dyslexia Institute at a cost of £300.

The report concluded: "The present assessment indicates that James is of at least average ability.

"He has a pattern of weakness that is typically seen in children with dyslexic difficulties.

"James should receive specialist tuition for his literacy skills."

Mrs Barrett, a team manager for the NHS, said: "James has been given 40 minutes a week extra tuition in a small group at the school but it hasn't helped.

"We have said all along he needs specialist treatment but the school refused to accept what we were saying.

"James still has a reading age of seven and a writing age of six.

"If the school had acted three years ago, he could have made more progress.

"Now I am concerned that when he goes to secondary school, he will not be able to read or write."

The family says it has failed in its application to get James a statement of special educational needs through the LEA because he has to be at least four years behind in his reading and writing.

The couple fear the only way forward is to have a private tutor for their son.

Bob Livesey, headteacher at the Oaks, said: "The school has been listening since the Barretts first flagged up their concerns. He receives extra support from the LEA, which is delivered within the school and will continue.

"I think they would like expert one-to-one tuition for their son but this simply isn't available.

"This has nothing to do with a lack of funding or resources. It is for the same reason James does not have a statement of special educational needs, because he does not require it."