Exports grow for creators of books for children with special educational needs

Children's Mental Health Week (1st February - 7th February 2021) aims to shine a spotlight on the importance of young people's wellbeing, something which has received more attention during the Coronavirus pandemic. 

According to recent research regarding the wellbeing of SEN children during the pandemic, right now children may be more at risk of poor mental health. One of the ways of mitigating the effects of a disrupted routine and lack of social interaction, according to the researchers, is to set appropriate tasks and resources for home learning. 

Phonic Books was set up in 2006 after Wendy Tweedie, a Headteacher of a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school in London identified the children did not have the right books for learning to read and write. The company started with 14 phonic books that were exhibited in London at the Special Needs Exhibition and the company grew from there.

The company now supports children across the world to read and learn through phonics. This is a method for teaching people how to read and write by demonstrating the relationship between the sounds of the spoken language and the word. 

Between 2018/19 to 2019/20, the company’s international sales have increased by 20%. Australian sales between the two years have increased by 12.5% and US sales have increased by 85%. The company has even experienced growth during the pandemic, where the demand for educational material for children being taught at home has increased. 

Wendy says the traditional way of teaching children to read which involves pointing at objects while saying the word can be problematic for children with vision problems or learning difficulties. 

“Thanks to Karen, our International Trade Adviser (ITA) who carried out market research for us and gave us legal advice for exporting, we fulfilled all the criteria for trading overseas and our very first export venture was to Australia.” 

Using DIT services, Karen Knight, the company’s ITA, organised for Wendy to meet with the Dyslexia Association in New South Wales and Queensland. They also met with a buyer who is now one of its top distributors. 

The company also attended training courses organised by DIT to prepare it for international trade and was supported with funding to attend exhibitions. 

“Karen has been to our home to help us fill out documentation and we have had a great relationship over the years." Wendy continues. 

“I would recommend that businesses get in touch with DIT to develop contacts, get support with market research and to ensure you are maximising your company’s potential. America for example is a very difficult market to break into so we have had invaluable support with building our business there.”

Karen, the company’s ITA, said:

“Over the last eight years of working with the company, I am thrilled its hard work and determination to provide teaching material for children across the world has paid off.

“The company’s success even during challenging times shows the global demand for phonic books and I am confident they will continue to expand over the coming years.” 

To discuss your export options with one of DIT’s International Trade Advisers in the South West contact 01275 774 456 or visit www.great.gov.uk to find out about the range of support available and live export opportunities. 

DIT’s services in the South West are delivered by Business West. For further information, click here