Frankie Bridge, the 37-year-old former Saturdays singer and Loose Women panelist, recently broke down in tears while discussing her 10-year-old son Carter’s severe dyslexia and the heart-wrenching choice between his current school and an expensive specialist option far from their Surrey home.
The Worsening Dyslexia Diagnosis
Carter’s condition has deteriorated significantly since his diagnosis at age eight. Dyslexia, a learning difficulty impacting reading and spelling, affects children across all intelligence levels. Recent assessments confirm his severe case, exacerbated by frequent school changes that disrupted his confidence and adaptation to new environments.
Bridge shares Carter and 12-year-old son Parker with her husband, former footballer Wayne Bridge. While Carter’s current school offers solid support, Bridge weighs transitioning him to a specialist setting for secondary school next September.
Visiting the Specialist School
Bridge toured a specialist dyslexia school, initially hoping to dislike it due to fears of isolating her son. Instead, she praised its setup: every student has dyslexia, and classes deliver tailored teaching without needing one-on-one sessions.
“It’s very similar to the school he’s in now, it’s just every class, everyone at the school is dyslexic,” she explained. The goal is to build confidence for eventual mainstream reintegration.
However, challenges loom large. The school lies too far for daily commutes, and fees for UK specialist dyslexia secondary schools range from £15,000 to £40,000 annually for day places, with boarding exceeding £60,000 depending on location and support intensity.
“It’s not an ideal scenario for us because it’s far away and it’s really expensive,” Bridge admitted. “But it was lovely. And I think his confidence has been so battered that I’m like, how lovely to put him in an environment where he doesn’t feel different.”
Daily Struggles and Emotional Toll
Bridge described dropping Carter off at school after he cried over maths, his toughest subject. Fighting tears, she said: “I find it mentally just so hard that I just never know what to do, what’s best for him.”
She feels trapped, unable to switch schools again after multiple moves. “I just feel a bit worn down by it now. I just feel a bit trapped because, obviously, they have to go to school.”
Comparing to Parker, who thrived with early extra help and now performs steadily, Bridge noted: “When you’ve got one kid that it just comes easily to… it’s just very hard.”
Background on Carter’s Journey
Bridge has long battled for adequate support. Carter repeated reception year due to struggles, and despite early signs, formal diagnosis came at eight. Previous schools fell short, prompting a switch to an international school better suited to his needs.
“Everyone’s biggest concern with Carter was his lack of confidence,” she previously shared. “He was aware that others in his class were able to do things that he couldn’t.” The family continues exploring options to set him up for success amid ongoing heartbreak.
