My Services

Dyslexia Assessments

I offer full diagnostic assessments for dyslexia for both adults and children within the London area. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I have also been authorised to conduct online assessments for adults. If you intend to study in the UK, I may therefore be able to assess you remotely before you begin your course.

The aim of an assessment is not only to determine whether dyslexia is present, but also to identify an individual's strengths and relative areas of difficulty and to provide the foundation for tailored recommendations and support. A diagnostic assessment should help you understand how you learn most effectively and identify strategies and adjustments that may support your education, training, or employment.

A formal assessment can often help schools, colleges, and universities understand your learning profile and may support applications for reasonable adjustments, examination arrangements, and other forms of educational support.

Primary School Age Assessments

An assessment at primary school age can be particularly valuable, as recommendations can be shared directly with teachers. Appropriate support can then be put in place either within the school, privately at home, or both. This can make a significant difference at a key stage in learning to read and write. 

However, while it is quite reasonable to have concerns if your child seems to be slipping behind their peers in their first few years at school, there can be many reasons for this. Dyslexia assessors are now advised not to offer full assessments until a child is at least 8 years old. We are allowed, if we feel it is appropriate, to assess at seven years, but I would discuss this exception with you if you request an early-years assessment. 

Secondary School Age Assessments

For students studying GCSEs and A-levels, appropriate classroom support and access to examination arrangements, where required, can make a significant difference to educational outcomes. For many students with dyslexia, additional time in examinations and other reasonable adjustments can help ensure they can demonstrate their knowledge and understanding more effectively.

Schools are usually required to carry out their own in-house assessments when applying for examination access arrangements. However, if your child has received a formal diagnosis of dyslexia through a private assessment, it is important to share the assessment report with the school's Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) as soon as possible.

A diagnostic assessment report can provide valuable evidence about a student's learning profile and may help the school identify appropriate support strategies. It can also contribute to the evidence that schools must gather and present when applying for access arrangements from the examining body.

Once a school becomes aware that a student has dyslexia, it is generally expected that the student's needs will be considered and, where appropriate, support put in place. The assessment report can help inform this process and provide a useful starting point for discussions between parents, teachers, and the SENCo.

It is important not to delay. Examination access arrangements are rarely approved solely based on a diagnosis. Schools are normally required to gather evidence over time, demonstrate a history of need, and show that any arrangements reflect the student's normal way of working within school. The earlier a school becomes aware of a student's difficulties, the more opportunity there is to gather this evidence and establish appropriate support.

Schools must apply to the relevant examination boards for approval of any access arrangements. As this process can take many months, parents are strongly encouraged to share assessment reports with schools as soon as possible rather than waiting until the final years of secondary education.

Schools must apply to the relevant examination boards for approval of any access arrangements. A dyslexia assessment report does not, by itself, guarantee examination access arrangements in the UK. The current requirements of the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) place considerable emphasis on a student's normal way of working within the school environment, together with evidence of need and the professional judgement of the school's access arrangements assessor.

Higher and Further Education Assessments

I regularly conduct assessments for universities and FE colleges, and these assessments are now usually conducted online. I conduct full assessments directly for universities, and also private assessments for university students who need to self-fund their assessment.

As assessments can now be conducted online, I am able to assess adults wherever they are in the world.  If you have won a place at a UK institution, I can assess you before you travel to start your course.  Whether the assessment is in-person or on-line, the reports  I produce following these full diagnostic assessments are accepted by universities and colleges throughout the UK, for the purposes of accessing disability support and reasonable adjustments.

However, it is important to understand that an assessment of dyslexia is not considered as part of the admissions process and will not improve or reduce your chances of being offered a place on a course. Its purpose is to help educational institutions understand your learning profile and, where appropriate, provide access to support, reasonable adjustments, and benefits such as Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), but only once you are enrolled.

A full diagnostic assessment at university level can be valuable for two main reasons:

• Firstly, the report can support recommendations for reasonable adjustments, such as examination arrangements and additional academic support. 
• Secondly, it enables students to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), which provides funding towards specialist equipment, software, and study support. 

In most cases, you will need a recent full diagnostic assessment to access these forms of support.

It is often useful to begin university with a formally recognised dyslexia assessment already in place, so that you can receive the support as soon as you start. This can be particularly helpful for international students, as it may allow support arrangements to be discussed with the university before the start of the academic year.

Bear in mind that some universities offer free or discounted assessments, whilst others require students to arrange and fund their own assessment independently. It is a good idea to look into your university's policies to find out what they offer before committing to paying for a private assessment. Contact their learning support departments (see below) to enquire. 

Common Department Names

Universities often organise dyslexia and neurodiversity support under one of the following department titles:

• Disabilities and Dyslexia Service (DDS) - one of the most common names for teams supporting neurodiversity and specific learning differences (SpLDs).
• Disability Advisory Service (DAS) - commonly used at larger institutions to provide specialist guidance and support.
• Learning Support or Student Support Hub - broader student support departments that may act as the first point of contact.
• Student Wellbeing Service - some universities integrate dyslexia support within wider wellbeing and mental health services.
• Disability and Neurodiversity Team - a more modern title reflecting support for dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and related conditions.

If you are unsure who to contact, most university reception or admissions teams will be able to direct you to the appropriate department.

Specialist Dyslexia Tutoring

I am currently fully booked for one-to-one tuition and am therefore unable to take on new tutoring students at present. However, you are very welcome to contact me if you would like advice or guidance regarding support for yourself or your child.

Specialist dyslexia tutoring is designed specifically for individuals with dyslexia and related specific learning difficulties. Unlike general tuition, it focuses not only on academic subjects, but also on developing the underlying literacy, language, study, and organisational skills that support successful learning.

Specialist dyslexia tutors are trained to understand how dyslexia can affect learning and to adapt their teaching accordingly. They recognise that every learner has unique strengths and preferred ways of learning, and they tailor their teaching to suit the individual's needs.

Tutors use structured, cumulative, and evidence-based teaching approaches that are designed to develop skills systematically while building confidence and independence. Lessons are carefully planned to provide the appropriate level of challenge while reducing the frustration and anxiety that many learners with dyslexia can experience in traditional educational settings.

Specialist tutoring may help with:

• Reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension
• Spelling and written expression
• Handwriting and note-taking skills
• Organisation and time management
• Study skills and revision techniques
• Examination preparation and examination strategies
• Confidence and self-esteem as a learner

The aim of specialist dyslexia tuition is not simply to improve attainment in the short term, but to help learners develop effective strategies that they can continue to use throughout their education and working lives.

I can't offer tuition myself, but I may be able to connect you with specialist dyslexia tutors who have availability and whose experience is appropriate for your needs.

Professional School Services

I provide specialist support services for primary and secondary schools, working closely with SENCOs and other departments to deliver assessments and related services where required.

Assessments

I conduct assessments for local primary and secondary schools. Subject to availability, I can be booked for dedicated assessment days as needed and assess up to two students each day. This approach is both cost-effective and time-efficient. I usually require three weeks to complete and deliver the final reports.  

I will provide the Family Background Questionnaire and School Questionnaire templates.  You can also download them here.

• The parent/carer needs to complete the Family Background Questionnaire.
• The child’s teacher needs to complete the School Questionnaire. Please ensure this is sent to the appropriate member of staff and that they understand the critical timelines involved.

Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to discuss this service further.

Recommendation

Several local schools and colleges recommend me to parents and students as an approved assessor when an independent dyslexia assessment is required.

Access Arrangements

As I hold a current Assessment Practising Certificate (APC), I am qualified to carry out access arrangements testing for schools and colleges. My fees include administering the tests, scoring and interpreting the results, and completing Part 2 of the JCQ Form 8.

Dyslexia Awareness Training

I provide Dyslexia Awareness Training for teachers, educational support staff, and corporate managers. Sessions typically will take the form of a 45-minute presentation followed by an interactive question-and-answer session.

Drawing on many years of experience assessing both children and adults, I use real-world examples and case studies to illustrate how dyslexia can present in different individuals and settings.

The training explores the nature of dyslexia, how it can affect learning and workplace performance, common indicators of dyslexia, and practical strategies that can help individuals achieve their full potential. The aim is not only to increase awareness but also to provide staff with the confidence to recognise and respond appropriately to the needs of people with dyslexia.

Sessions are informative, practical, and engaging, and are tailored to the needs of the audience. Whether delivered in an educational or workplace setting, the training is designed to promote understanding, reduce barriers, and encourage a more inclusive environment for learners, employees, and colleagues.

Please feel free to contact me for further information or to discuss how the training could benefit your organisation. 

Personal Private Assessments

Many people find that gaining a clearer understanding of their learning profile, strengths, and challenges is one of the most valuable outcomes of the assessment process.

A dyslexia assessment does more than identify areas of difficulty. It also highlights strengths, preferred learning techniques and practical strategies. These help build confidence, improve self-awareness, and support long-term success in education, work, and everyday life.