Meet the Assessor
Denise is an experienced educator with more than two decades of experience, teaching and leading in primary, middle and secondary schools. Currently employed as a Secondary SENDCO, she has a wealth of knowledge about Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and assesses for the National Professional Qualification for SENDCOs through Newcastle University.
Denise holds several post graduate qualifications, including:
PG Certificate in SEND and Inclusion (National Award for SENDCOs) from the University of Northumbria
PG Certificate in Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) from Edge Hill University
Level 7 qualification in Assessing for Access Arrangements through PATOSS (Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties)
National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH)
Denise also holds a current Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) meaning that reports are future proofed, enabling dyslexic individuals to apply for DSA (Disabled Student Allowance).
Denise is passionate about understanding each student’s unique learning profile, using assessment to identify their needs and determine the most effective support to help them reach their full potential. She is committed to ensuring that learning challenges do not become a barrier to engagement, recognising that when education feels overwhelming, students can quickly lose confidence and motivation. A key focus of her work is supporting self-esteem and emotional wellbeing, helping learners feel understood and capable. Denise is also mindful of the complexity of co-occurring neurodivergent conditions, ensuring that dyslexia is not overlooked when a student already has a prior diagnosis, and that both parents and educators are supported to see the full picture.
Assessment prices
A free, 30 minute, no obligation, online discussion about your child’s difficulties and needs. This may result in you choosing to proceed with an assessment, or I may be able to point you in other directions to find support.
A full diagnostic dyslexia assessment looks at a range of skills to build a clear picture of how a learner processes information, rather than focusing on reading and spelling alone. It will include an exploration of literacy skills, such as reading accuracy, fluency, comprehension, spelling, and written expression. It also looks at underlying cognitive processes that support learning, including phonological awareness (how sounds in words are recognised and manipulated), working memory, processing speed, verbal and non-verbal reasoning abilities and rapid naming skills (how quickly familiar information can be recalled). The report will also include background information, such as developmental history, educational experiences, and input from parents or teachers, to ensure the whole child is understood.
The assessment can be conducted either in the child’s home, in an environment in which they feel comfortable, or in the assessor’s home.