Head of Service at Cadmus Inclusive

Qualifications: BA(hons) QTS, MEd - Inclusion and Diversity in Education, PG Cert - Professional Studies: SENCo, PG CERT - Specific Learning Difficulties: dyslexia, AMBDA

Beccie has worked in all aspects of Special Educational Needs including mainstream, additionally resourced provision and specialist settings. She has extensive experience as a SENCo, Inclusion Manager, Lead Local Authority Advisory SEND Teacher and SEND Consultant. She is currently the proud Head of Service for Cadmus Inclusive – a not for profit SEN advisory and pupil well-being support service. Beccie remains very ‘hands on’ in the classroom and is passionate about being at the chalk face to support teachers and children in order to practice what she preaches. She is the author of ‘The Complete Dyslexia Toolkit’, ‘SEND: The Things and the Stuff’ and co-author of ‘Getting it Right for SEND’ and ‘How to Create the Perfect Partnership with Parents’. Beccie also writes the national Ebriefing: SEND Bitesize and frequently blogs and produces magazine articles about education. She has also developed a number of educational resources to support learners with educational needs. Beccie is especially passionate about celebrating learning differences. She strives to support schools to think differently to improve and adapt teaching to ensure that every pupil has the chance to shine. Beccie is a mum/step-mum to four fantastic boys and Harry the dog.

Caroline is passionate about helping dyslexic students achieve. She has a proven track record of improving self-esteem, aspiration levels and results by utilising free technology and effective learning strategies.

Caroline has been helping dyslexic students achieve academically for over 15 years. A former IT consultant, she was taken aback by how few schools were taking advantage of freely available technology to transform learning for dyslexic students. By accessing this technology, she helped her own three dyslexic children go from failing to excelling at school. Wanting to help other students achieve their true potential she founded Achieve Now to pass on what she had seen work. She is now a Senior Lecturer - Dyslexia Specialist at Kingston University focused on preparing the next generation of teachers to support dyslexic learners.

Dr Helen Ross is a fully qualified special needs teacher and former SENCO, working as an independent educational research consultant, specialist assessor and SEND expert.

Qualifications: MEng (hons) PGCE (MFL) MA (Open) MRes PgCert PgCert PhD AMBDA AMBDA Dyscalculia APC

Dr Helen Ross works as an independent educational research consultant, specialist assessor and SEND expert. Helen is Co-Vice Chair of the British Dyslexia Association, Chair of the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association and is on the board of the US, not-for profit National Coalition of Independent Scholars. She has consulted for the British Dyslexia Association, The Committee for Science and Technology (part of the UK Government), and Wiltshire Local Authority. She also works internationally with various third sector and commercial organisations with evaluation, consultancy and resource development. Helen tweets as @drhelenross and regularly speaks on dyslexia and special educational needs.

Susie has worked over 30 glorious years with thousands of students at The Sixth Form College, Farnborough and will have fun sharing some magically insightful multi-sensory strategies and success stories.

Qualifications: BSc, MPhil, PhD, PGCE.

Susie has worked as a classroom teacher and curriculum manager for 30 years. As an international speaker, podcaster, exam board moderator and CPD trainer, she thoroughly enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences about Multi-sensory Teaching. She has published articles for BBC Bitesize, ASE, BDA and SEN Magazine. Her innovative methods are published by Oaka Books in her ‘Multi-sensory Toolkit’ as well as ‘How to Become a Grade Riser’. In recognition of over 29 years continued service at The Sixth Form College Farnborough, Susie has achieved a Pearson Lifetime Achievement Award. This is an honour of which she is immensely proud.

Jo is an ex teacher, Senco and Founder of Another Way Round Dyslexia Support. Alongside assessing Jo Raises Awareness of Dyslexia on Social media.

Qualifications: Level 7 Diploma in Dyslexia and Literacy

Dyslexic herself and mum to 3 children with dyslexia, Jo Rees is an ex primary school teacher, Senco, LA consultant, Specialist Teacher and Assessor of Dyslexia and founder of Another Way Round - Dyslexia Support. Alongside assessing people for Dyslexia, empowering parents, providing INSET to educational settings, and delivering her weekly podcast, @ Dyslexic Life with Jo Rees, Jo uses social media to raise awareness and understanding of Dyslexia and its impacts within education and everyday life. Jo believes that all people with Dyslexia should be given the knowledge, skills and strategies they need to confidently succeed.

Neurodiversity aware counsellor and coach.

Qualifications: MNCPS Accred

As a neurodiversity aware counsellor and coach, John works with clients of all ages who want to discover the best of themselves and manage their weaknesses. Being neurodiverse and being a member of a neurodiverse family, John has helped to influence government policy on supporting neurodiversity as well as having supported thousands of parents who find themselves needing to understand what neurodiversity means for them, their children and their wider family members. With a therapeutic practice based in Cambridge, UK, John works with clients in person and online. Find out more about John's work at www.johnhicks.co

Specialist assessor and teacher for over 25 years , founder of Positive Dyslexia ltd

Qualifications: BA, MA, PGCE, PGDip(Dyslexia), APC, AMBDA, FRSA

Katrina trained as a Secondary English teacher before gaining her Postgraduate Diploma with Dyslexia Action. She was Head of Education for the BDA and set up her own company Positive Dyslexia Ltd in 2016. They carry out Conferences, assessments for children and adults and are an OCN London training centre for L3 and L4 courses. She is currently updating the 4th edition of the SEN Guide with Dr Jennie Guise. Her conferences take place in Edge Hill ,Twickenham and Liverpool this year.

Marcia Brissett-Bailey is a thought leader, speaker, educator, and author of Black, Brilliant and Dyslexic, which was featured in Forbes. A passionate advocate for dyslexia through both lived experience and parenthood, she approaches her work through an intersectional lens—amplifying underrepresented voices and challenging traditional narratives.

Marcia is the Director of Rethink Learning Consultancy and co-founder of Black Excellence, Leadership in Neurodiversity (BleND). Marcia also serves as an advisory board member for Birkbeck University’s Centre for Neurodiversity at Work, Rowan University’s Center for Neurodiversity, and The Diverse Creative, as well as a trustee for a national dyslexia association. With over 30 years in education, she holds a BSc (Hons) in Information Science, a PG Dip in Career Guidance (QCG), and an MA in Special Educational Needs, along with IPSEA Level 3 training in special education advocacy. Marcia has been recognized on the Diversity Power List 2024/25, named a Diversity Power House 2024/25, and awarded the WeAreTheCity Alumni Achievement Award as a Change Maker for the University of East London. She is a Rising Stars 100 Winner 2024, ranked among the Top 50 Influential Neurodivergent Women in the UK, and was a Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 finalist. Named one of 133 women who changed the world in 2023 by Diverse, Marcia has also been nominated twice at the Celebrating Neurodiversity Awards for Stereotype Buster of the Year and recognized as a Notable Dyslexic by Dyslexia Help – The Regents University of Michigan.

Myles has been a special schools teacher and an adviser for ICT SEN and is now an assistive technologist working in the education and workplace sector

Qualifications: BA , MEd

Myles has 28 yrs experience in teaching special needs followed by 10 years as an Adivser for ICT SEN where he operated an assessment and loan bank service for a local education authority. For the last 10 years he has been with working as an Assistive Technologist in the education and workplace sector

Paloma is the GO TO Global Dyslexia Screening Expert & Special Educational Needs Teacher. An expert in her field speaking Nationally & Internationally. Author, consultant & specialised tutor.

Paloma Forde, founder of Dyslexia Support Services, is an advocate for neurodiversity. With 27 years of experience, she is the GO TO Global dyslexia screening expert. Provider of training, tutoring & consultations. As an author and Growth Mindset coach, she works with schools, universities, and families. Recognised as a Special Educational Needs and Dyslexia expert, Paloma has spoken at various conferences and earned awards like BBC's Theo Paphitis' Small Business Sunday and Jacqueline Gold's Women in Business Award. She has made significant contributions to dyslexia awareness and early detection. Instagram: @dyslexiasupportservices Twitter: @screen4dyslexia Facebook: Dyslexia Support Services www.dyslexiasupportservices.com

An experienced educator, former SENCo and author on dyslexia and dyscalculia. Richard is Director of Davis Learning Foundation, trains others in the Davis approach and runs a practice in Malvern.

Qualifications: MA MPhil (Oxon), PGCE, Dip. RSA (SpLD), SpLD APC (Patoss), licensed Davis Dyslexia Programme Specialist

Richard is author of the book, Why Tyrannosaurus But Not If? The Dyslexic Blueprint for the Future of Education.” A SpLD Assessor and former SENCo, Richard is Principal Trainer for Davis Learning Foundation (UK) and has delivered one-to-one Davis Programmes since 2002. Richard has presented on the Davis methods across five continents and has conducted webinars on multi-sensory learning for Operation Diversity, the University of Chester and the SEND Group. Richard’s second book, “Counting On Fingers — Why Some Bright And Creative People Struggle With Numbers And Mathematics, And How That Can Be Changed”, was published in October 2023.

Mental Health & Inclusion Consultant. Founder of Balanced People Ltd

Sam is a renowned speaker, trainer and author specialising in Mental Health and Inclusion. She has worked in the education sector as a SENCo and the corporate sector in a variety or roles. She is a qualified Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, Counsellor and Master Mindset Coach. Sam has also founded a company, Balanced People Ltd, providing mental wellbeing and support to individuals and companies. Lauded for her humour and ‘telling it like it is’ approach to mental health, Sam is in high demand to speak at conferences and events and provides in-house training for schools and companies, nationally and internationally.

Sue Smits is a specialist handwriting consultant, adviser and the founder of Morrells Handwriting. Sue is also the author of the Morrells Handwriting series of handwriting resources for EYFS to adult.

Sue has been working with early years, primary and secondary schools for over 18 years, helping children with pencil grasp, letter recognition and joined-up handwriting technique whilst supporting human development for pre-writing skills. Sue is very passionate about teaching handwriting correctly and she just loves sharing her knowledge and expertise on how to teach the correct foundations for handwriting. Her handwriting training course covers everything you need to know about the root causes of handwriting problems. Most importantly, her school training helps teaching staff to understand why everyday pre-writing activities are an important factor for developing handwriting skills.

Lived experience with Neurodiversity and CPD training designer specialising in neurodiversity and dyslexia. Passionate about change and diversity. Keynote speaker and founder of 'NeuroEmpower CIC and children's book author'.

Qualifications: PGCert in Wellbeing, L4 Workplace Assessor and L4 SEMH Award

Toni Horn, a neurodivergent and dyslexic woman, promotes inclusivity and understanding. Diagnosed with autism later in life, she has a deep empathy for those with learning differences. As a CPD training designer and keynote speaker, Toni empowers others through Think Differently With Us and NeuroEmpower CIC. She’s also a children’s book author, crafting stories that offer a positive outlook for those who think differently. Inspired by her dyslexic son, Toni’s mission is to create transformative educational experiences that celebrate neurodiversity and support individuals in embracing their unique strengths.

Hey, I'm Zoe, a proud dyslexic person on a mission to bring awareness and understanding about dyslexia. I'm dedicated to breaking down barriers and fostering understanding about what dyslexia is.

Qualifications: BSc Sport Therapy

Hello there, I'm Zoe, a 25-year-old proud dyslexic individual on a mission to bring awareness and understanding to dyslexia. I've embarked on a journey to break down barriers and create a more inclusive world. I firmly believe that by having open conversations and sharing our stories, we can all develop and grow together. Join me on this transformative journey of creating a society where dyslexia is celebrated and valued. Let's speak up, have those uncomfortable conversations, and together, let's make a difference in the world