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.

Over nearly 30 years of teaching Susie has created bespoke multi-sensory techniques to assist dyslexic students. Many of these are published in her Multi-sensory Toolkit by Oaka Books.

Susie is a teacher, author, exam board moderator and CPD trainer. She celebrates every day helping her students at The Sixth Form College, Farnborough. Her research has been shared with students, parents, and educators virtually or personally world-wide at The Australian Learning Difference Convention, Tes SEN Show, Scanning Pens, Dyslexia Show and The British Dyslexia Association. The highlight of her nearly 30-year teaching career was in 2021 when the Ofsted inspector said during her “deep dive” ‘Susie, you have passion. I could put you in front of any class and they would listen and believe you!’

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

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

Katrina has been a specialist assessor and trainer for nearly 25 years. She set up her company Positive Dyslexia Ltd in 2016.

Qualifications: MA, PGCE, PG(Dip) Dyslexia, CCET, AMBDA, AOC, FRSA

Katrina started as a secondary English teacher before qualifying as a specialist and working for Dyslexia Action. She moved to the BDA as Head of Education and then set up her company in 2016. She is joint Executive Vice Chair of the BDA Accreditation Board, an APC reviewer for the BDA and a Trustee of the Adult Dyslexia Centre. She assesses both children and and adults and offers accredited and non accredited training up to Level 4.

An advocate of dyslexia, and a parent of a dyslexic young person. Marcia talks about dyslexia from lived experience, as a parent, and as a Special Education Needs trained specialist.

Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Information science, a post-grad in Careers Guidance, L2 certification in person-centered Counselling Skills, Diploma in Specialist Teaching, and a MA in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Marcia has navigated her education and career by developing tools that have earned accolades including - Top 50 Influential Neurodivergent Women in the UK and the British Dyslexia Adult of the Year Award 2022 Over the last two decades, Marcia has dedicated herself to learning to work from a place of acceptance. Marcia is dedicated to enabling others to find their voice. She is the author of - Black, Brilliant, and Dyslexic by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. She is also a Trustee of the British Dyslexia Association and a speaker and works at D&A as a partnership officer.

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 Forde, the Founder of Award winning Screening4Dyslexia, is an inspiring advocate for early dyslexia detection and a passionate expert in SEN education.

Paloma Forde, the Founder of Award winning Screening4Dyslexia, is a relentless champion for early dyslexia detection and a fervent expert in the realm of Special Educational Needs. With a remarkable career spanning 26 years, she wields a Master's in SEN education, igniting a profound dedication to empowering students. Paloma is celebrated not only for her unwavering commitment but also for her exceptional contributions, acknowledged by luminaries such as BBC's Theo Pathitis and the late Jacqueline Gold (CBE). Her mission is not merely a vocation but a passionate journey, transforming lives through the power of education and innovation.

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 'Think Differently with Us'.

Qualifications: PGCert and Diploma

Toni, a neurodivergent and dyslexic woman, is an ardent advocate for diversity and change. Diagnosed late with Autism, she deeply understands the struggles in learning differences. As a CPD training designer focusing on neurodiversity and dyslexia, she's committed to creating transformative educational experiences. Her passion is further driven by her role as a mother to two sons, aged 6 and 8, with the eldest also dyslexic. This personal connection amplifies her dedication. Toni, as a keynote speaker and founder of 'Think Differently with Us,' strives tirelessly to promote inclusivity and understanding in society.

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