Jamie Oliver Calls for Change in Schools

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has revealed he was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 50, sparking a new chapter in his life dedicated to advocacy for children facing similar struggles.

In his latest Channel 4 documentary, Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution, which premiered on June 9, Oliver reflects on a lifetime of reading and writing challenges that went undiagnosed for decades. As a child, he was often labelled as lazy or unintelligent - misconceptions that he now recognises as symptoms of a learning difference left unsupported.

“People thought I was just messing around or not trying hard enough,” Oliver says in the film. “But I was trying. I just couldn’t keep up.”

Despite rising to global fame as a chef, author, and television personality, Oliver admits that his difficulties with literacy impacted not just his education but aspects of his business life. Some setbacks in his restaurant ventures, he says, stemmed from issues tied to organisation and communication - skills often affected by dyslexia.

Now, Oliver is turning his personal experience into a public mission. He’s calling for mandatory early screening for dyslexia in primary schools, as well as better teacher training to support neurodiverse learners. He believes too many children are still falling through the cracks, misdiagnosed or ignored because of outdated systems and stigma.

“Getting a diagnosis shouldn’t be a luxury,” Oliver says. “We need to stop thinking of neurodiversity as a disadvantage and start giving kids the tools to thrive.”

Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution not only explores Oliver’s journey but also shines a light on the stories of young people navigating education with dyslexia today. It’s a powerful reminder that learning differences deserve understanding - not judgment - and that change is long overdue in the classroom.