I originally trained as a middle school teacher (Cert Ed, Geography, University of Reading). I also hold a diploma from Roehampton Institute in the Teaching of Music, which is concerned with increasing the accessibility of music through learning based on the principles of Orff, Kodaly and Dalcroze. I have spent 25 years firstly as a class teacher from pre school through to secondary education and latterly as an advisory teacher in mainstream, special school and unit settings. I have both practitioner and academic interests in learning difficulties (Post graduate certificate in educational studies (Specific Learning Difficulties) Southampton and MA in Specific Learning Difficulties (Middlesex).

I have worked in further and higher education for 9 years, both as a lecturer and manager in additional services provision, including 2 years in the dyslexia service and manager of Roehampton University Disability service and Access Centre. I am also interested in educational management (Diploma Educational Management OU) and service provision and have spent 14 years as chair of 2 school governing bodies and SEN governor.

I have long-standing interests in access and inclusion and recognise the need to equip teachers with specialist knowledge and skills to enable them keep abreast of the demands placed on them by political and legislative developments while addressing the very particular and individual needs of all learners. I am an Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association and I hold a professional practice certificate in assessment and have a specialist qualification in the training of teachers in assessment and underpinning theories of dyslexia from London South Bank University.

I am chair of the Association of Dyslexia Specialists in Higher Education.