I live in Pocklington, East Yorkshire. My background spans several SEND professions, so I look at the whole child, not only their reading and spelling.
Reading has always been a love of mine. At secondary school I was a paired reader, and at university a primary literacy assistant, helping Key Stage 1 and 2 children improve their literacy. Teaching assistant and youth work roles followed, and led me to study psychology: I wanted to understand why some young people refused school and fell behind.
Since then I have been an assistant speech and language therapist in the NHS, spent several years in educational psychology for a Local Authority, and supported children's emotional wellbeing in primary and secondary schools. As a specialist study skills tutor, I have also helped further and higher education students with specific learning differences.
Again and again I saw children who were anxious about school because of their difficulties. Then I received my own dyslexia diagnosis, and that spurred me on to complete my specialist training.
I have recently been appointed a parent governor at Pocklington Infant School. I am committed to supporting the school in a strategic role, helping to improve its long-term outcomes.
"I am passionate about literacy and believe everybody can learn and progress in the right environment with the right type of support."