A mum who set up Kent's first dyslexic school after watching her daughter struggle in a mainstream setting is celebrating after opening her second facility.

Narinda Algar, from Culverstone, near Gravesend, opened Flexi-school Dyslexia (FSD) for underachieving children in 2013.

Since then she has watched hundreds of youngsters flourish in both confidence and academic skills through its base at Wrotham Cricket and Community Pavilion, near Sevenoaks.

Now, the mum is set to open her second dyslexia tutoring school in Ashurst, near Tunbridge Wells.

Narinda, 52, said she was inspired to set up the first flexi-school after watching the way her daughter Lucia, then just 10-years-old, had flourished as a result of extra teaching and had moved up three levels in her schoolwork.

Lucia was her first student and is currently studying for a degree in marine and natural history photography.

As well as tutoring her daughter away from a mainstream classroom, following an agreement with her then headteacher, she added six regular pupils.

Over the past 13 years this has grown to an alumni of more than 500 and includes former pupil Kristos Metaxas-Garvey, who attended Narinda’s flexi-school when it first opened, and is now at university training to be a paramedic.

With the opening of the second school Narinda has five specialist teachers offering their expertise to help youngsters who learn in a different way to the mainstream classroom.

Under flexi-schooling, the parent and the child’s head teacher agree for the child to be taken out of school part-time to take part in other activities.

Narinda added: “In my opinion flexi-schooling is the best way for non-statemented pupils struggling with literacy and other issues caused by dyslexic tendencies to get the quick injection of help they need to access mainstream education successfully.”

She added: “I am passionate about giving young dyslexic children, who are bright and enthusiastic to learn, the access to mainstream education they deserve, without the risk of losing their self esteem and confidence along the way, simply because they have a different learning style.”

Pupils still maintain their place at mainstream school or enjoy the freedom of home-schooling, whilst coming to the FSD “heaven” a few times per week.

She said: “Our mission is to help as many children as possible that are not responding to traditional teaching styles to achieve their potential and rekindle their love of learning and self-esteem, which we find has, sadly, often been broken.

“It’s so hard to see the children so sad at such a young age. Some don’t even want to live anymore.”

She added: “They feel marginalised at school. So if they can come along and be around other children who are the same as them it really helps.”

And Narinda said the results of her students speak for themselves.

"The outcomes for our pupils have exceeded all parental, school and pupil expectations,” she said.

“This year alone, the Year 6’s that accessed the relevant sessions at FSD passed their SATs after being told that they would not achieve ‘expected’ standards."

Meanwhile, her GCSE students have gone on to pass both their maths and English exams.

Daughter Lucia said: “Without mum starting FSD, I don’t know where I would be.

“I had lost all belief in myself and my ability to learn. I was being bullied as I simply couldn’t ‘fit in’, and teachers seemed frustrated with me.

“Learning about dyslexia and my strengths and weaknesses has meant I can navigate learning and life, and I couldn’t be happier.”

She was even able to graduate from university which she thought was never an option for her.

Narinda said parents have said attending the school has “changed their lives” as their children have become happier and more confident, with many saying that it has prevented mental-health issues and stopped school refusal.

“‘I’ve got my child back,’ is what people most often say,” she said.

Parents wishing to find out more about either FSD facility can call 07588 856544 or email info@flexi-schooldyslexia.co.uk for more information.