About Sarah

Background and experience

I qualified as a teacher in the 1990s and taught classes in further, higher and adult education as well as delivering initial teacher training and INSET sessions alongside tutoring children. For around 25 years, I've been a qualifed assessor. Whilst my initial post-graduate qualification focused on assessing those aged 16+, I then did further studying and mentoring to provide specialist dyslexia tutoring and assessments for children and young people. I then developed a specialism in the assessment of maths.

Having worked with thousands of children and adults over the years, I bring a wealth of experience to my work which is conducted in a professional but very chilled and friendly manner. I've taken a holistic approach to assessments for many years as I consider if there may be additional or alternative reasons for the challenges someone is facing that may have gone under the radar. I have very open conversations with families and adult clients, and I regularly write referral letters and signpost to other professionals. I've extensive experience of assessing people with autism, ADHD and anxiety, and I've completed assessments for social services and the emergency services. I'm an international assessor as I regularly assess people aged 11+ living abroad and I've had many clients fly to the UK specifically to see me. I'm always open to forging new links with schools and organisations including those abroad (such as British international schools) and I can offer assessments that are during daytime hours whatever your time zone. Please see HERE for lots of testimonials from past clients.

As well as being mum to two adult children, I spend my spare time watching all types of sport (especially darts and Liverpool FC), following music artists from Anna Lapwood to YungBlud, playing jazz piano, travelling and hosting daily body doubling sessions at Flow.Club. I’ve recently set up The Bucket List Community Cafe Facebook group and I'm a member of the Rebel Badge Club that even has summer camp for adults!

Finally, I'm writing a book this year and I'm inviting others to take part so please read more about the book project HERE.

Relevant qualifications

  • MA Lifelong Learning (University of Sussex)

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Adult Dyslexia Diagnosis and Support (London South Bank University)

  • Dyslexia Alternative Pathway CPD (Edge Hill University) for teaching and assessing children and young people

  • OCN Level 4 Workplace Assessor Programme to conduct workplace needs assessments and consider reasonable adjustments

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Studies in Education (Open University)

  • Current Patoss SpLD Assessment Practising Certificate (APC holder)

  • Certificate of Education (initial teaching qualification)

  • QTLS (Qualified Teaching and Learning Status)  

  • Level 3 Certificate in Neurodivergent Strategy Coaching (Workplace)

  • Universal Coaching Alliance Certificate in ADHD Coaching

  • Association for Coaching Award in ADHD Coaching

  • Level 3 Counselling Skills       

  • Various CACHE level 2 qualifications such as Understanding Autism and Understanding Behaviour That Challenges

Professional memberships, accreditations, etc.

  • Fellow of the Dyslexia Guild

  • Fellow of the Society for Education and Training

  • Professional Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA up to 18)

  • Professional Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA FE-HE)

  • British Dyslexia Association Approved Workplace Needs Assessor (AWNA)

  • Professional Patoss Member

  • Professional Association of Specific Learning Difference Specialists in Higher Education

  • Member of the National Association of Professionals Concerned with Language Impaired Children    

  • Student Member of the Universal Coaching Alliance

  • Department for Education teacher reference number: 9904685

Other relevant information

  • I hold a clean enhanced DBS record (last carried out in 2024)

  • I hold professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance

  • I'm registered with the Information Commissioner's Office

  • I regularly attend training/webinars, especially with Praxis Pro

  • I engage almost daily with other professionals from around the country through closed Facebook groups