AchieveAbility Experts
Dr Steve Chinn: Dyscalculia Expertwww.stevechinn.co.uk Dr Steve Chinn is an internationally recognised expert on Dyslexia and Dyscalculia. Steve has taught for 40 years in mainstream schools, in Further Education and in Special Education. Dr Steve Chinn has written several books based on my classroom research including "The Trouble with Maths" which won the NASEN/TES "Book for Learning and Teaching" award in 2004. The second edition of "Sum Hope", now titled "Dealing with Dyscalculia: Sum Hope2", was published in September 2007. Dr Steve Chinn is an honorary advisory member of the Register of Educational Therapists (Singapore) and has advised the Dyslexia Association of Singapore about their Master's degree course. Steve is co-founder and then Chair of the Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexics (CReSTeD) and currently Chair's Dyslexia Action's Education Advisory Committee. Dr Steve Chinn's research focus is around diagnosis and assessment of maths learning difficulties and he had a book published in January 2010 titled "Addressing the Unproductive Classroom Behaviours of Students with Special Needs". More recently Steve has been lecturing in Melbourne training teachers. His current (big) project is a set of norm-referenced tests + book on diagnosing and assessing maths ld and dyscalculia for Routledge/David Fulton. He has a new edition called ''Addressing the Unproductive ....’ which was short-listed for a nasen award in 2011. Steve has been asked to set up and Chair a BDA sub-committee on dyscalculia this year. He is also a Member of ESRC Peer Review College Dr Steve Chinn runs training courses for teachers across the UK and has lectured on learning difficulties in maths in over 25 countries worldwide. To contact him or for more information please see his website www.stevechinn.co.uk |
  |
Katherine Hewlett
Project Development, Study skills and TrainingKatherine Hewlett is the founder and a Director of the AchieveAbility National Network started in 2004 as a HEFCE funded Aimhigher project now a Not for Profit organisation with a Social Purpose.
Katherine has steered and managed AchieveAbility projects since the start of AchieveAbility in 2004. AchieveAbility successes are due to the high calibre of people who have worked as a team with AchieveAbility. All the projects were devised in collaboration and as a team effort.
Katherine is an expert within development work particularly for the partnership context. She has managed local, regional and national projects that improve access to Higher Education for potential students.
Katherine has lectured at numerous educational institutions such as the Royal College of Art and National College of Art and Design Dublin. She studied at the Royal College of Art and has a Masters in Architectural Glass Design. For six years, following the RCA, she set up and developed several high profile projects within an interior glass design setting, such as a major project at the Ritz Hotel Paris. Katherine has lectured in three-dimensional design both at degree and postgraduate level. Katherine is currently undertaking a PhD in learning differences at Norwich University College of the Arts. Katherine transferred her learning and teaching skills to development and progression work at the University of Westminster where she headed up the Education Development Office up to 2010.
Katherine is an educational consultant with expertise in collaborative development work, action research, learning differences and progression work. She is a member of the Institute for Learning, Association of Teachers and Lecturers, Arts Dslexia Trust. A Trustee of Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association, Governor of Leyton Sixth Form College.
MA RCA and confirmed stage for PhD.
Dave Maguire
Training ConsultantDavid designed developed and delivered series of workshops for Youth Offenders for the Prison Service in North Yorkshire (HMPYOI). The focus was on the development of identity strategies to re-engage young people.
David Maguire’s motivation to promote education to young people is born out of his own personal learning trajectory. It is this personal history that allows a shared knowledge and an empathy with those individuals that face barriers to education and makes me ideally suited to deliver exciting and ambitious workshops that will encourage a re-evaluation of the advantages of “learning”. David moved from his own very challenging environment to become highly successful in academic study. He gained a first class honours degree in Criminology at the University of Westminster to complete an MA at Birkbeck University.
During this time and more recently David has delivered cutting edge workshops to Young Offenders , learners in Pupil Referral Units and Looked After Children. It was because of this work that David received the NIACE outstanding student award in 2007 during Adult Learners week.
David’s skills:
• Experience of working with young people in a range of contexts including Special Educational Needs, Mainstream and Further Education.
• Experience of working with young people from diverse backgrounds
• Excellent verbal communication and the capacity to connect and empathies with hard to reach young people.
• Specific knowledge of the needs of young people within a range of professional settings.
David is now undertaking a PhD at Oxford University. His expertise is in training and research for Inclusive education
Debra Kelly: Professor of French and Francophone Literary and Cultural StudiesUniversity of Westminster Associate Director of the Network for Languages London Debra Kelly is Professor of French and Francophone Literary and Cultural Studies in the Department of Modern and Applied Languages at the University of Westminster. She has published widely in the fields of Text and Image Studies, War and Culture Studies and Cultural Memory. She is Director of the International Research Network the Group for War and Culture Studies and principal editor of the Journal of War and Culture Studies. In 2005 she was made a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques by the French Government in recognition of her services to French language, literature and culture. She is Chair of the ‘Languages in Action – Employability’ activities of the HEFCE-funded Routes into Languages Capital L London Consortium of 8 HEIs whose aim is to promote language learning amongst 14-19 year olds across all education sectors, and the author of the Routes Research Report Languages and International Events. Are we ready to talk to the world in 2012? which focuses on HE languages departments’ contribution to high-profile sporting and cultural events. She is Co-Director of the DCSF-funded Links into Languages London Regional Centre which provides professional development for language teachers, educators and all those working in the world of languages across primary, secondary and further education institutions. She is currently working with AchieveAbility on developing materials to enhance language learning and teaching to be offered to teachers . |
 |
Shareen Taylor: Clinical Psychologist & Head of Department for AssessmentInstitution/Organisation: Quintin Kynaston School Shareen Taylor is Head of Department for Assessment at Quintin Kynaston School and has been involved with the AchieveAbility Network since December 2006. Before taking on her current post, Shareen was the Teaching and Learning Co-ordinator at Quintin Kynaston and was the project officer responsible for the implementation of the Quintin Kynaston Extended Schools Project, in partnership with the AchieveAbility Network. Shareen Taylor is a fully qualified Clinical Psychologist with 4 years experience working within Mental Health Services in Australia. Since moving to London Shareen has moved into the Education system, working within Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Services at Quintin Kynaston School. Through working with the AchieveAbility Network she has focused her expertise on helping teaching and support staff makes mainstream education accessible for all students, with a specific focus on students with Specific Learning Differences (SpLD). Shareen has an eclectic framework from which she works with both students and staff and use's her expertises as both a Psychologist and SpLD specialist to improve educational opportunities for all students. |
 |
Jo Todd: Learning and Training ConsultantInstitution/Organisation: Key for Learning Jo Todd developed her skills working in Special Education for 20 years and founded Key 4 Learning over twelve years ago. Key 4 Learning provides consultancy, mentoring and training for industry, government, schools, colleges and universities. Jo is dyslexic as is almost all her family. Jo’s approach emphasises communication with staff about hidden disabilities and advising on good practice. The improvement opportunity is enhanced by a macro view including recruitment, promotion and appraisal policy, in addition to workplace assessment and support. Key 4 Learning mentors and trains managers, staff and individuals on obtaining the best performance from those with specific cognitive performance issues. Jo has contributed to Government sponsored projects in screening for hidden disabilities and analysing data for a The Moser Report “Freedom to Learn? on literacy skills. She was a member of the Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit, Dyslexia Advisory Group and worked with the Disability Rights Commission’s Autistic and Neurodiversity Working Group. Jo is a member of the ACAS Disabled People’s Involvement Forum, where she supports ACAS in ensuring people with disabilities are not disadvantaged during conciliation. Jo has also advised the Cabinet Office on neurodiversity and was asked to develop a Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Toolkit for line management to use across the whole of the Civil Service. Jo is a trustee of the Dyspraxia Foundation and a founder member of DANDA |
  |
Kate Byford: Equality and Diversity expert
Works on a range of projects connected with promoting equality and diversity in higher education, specialising in disability and widening participation
Research on;
- student progression to HE student, incorporating WP, fair access and admissions.
- student and staff experiences in education
- Looked after children and care leavers
- equality and diversity
Training on;
- equality and diversity, specializing in disability (including the Equality Act 2010)
- inclusive practice in education
Kate worked for AchieveAbility as Executive Officer from 2007 to 2010. In her time at AchieveAbility she collaborated on various action research projects and programmes, which focused on increasing progression and attainment of under-represented groups in education. Kate has experience of working across the education sector in various settings. From 2010-11 Kate worked for the Equality Challenge Unit as Senior Policy Adviser for Disability.
Kate has extensive knowledge of equality and diversity policy and practice in relation to the education sector and is an advocate for inclusive education and social justice.
Kate completed a Masters in Inclusive Education at the Institute of Education in September 2010. Her research explored the experience of learners in higher education who had been in residential or foster care. A summary of the research titled Care to Listen and Learn: The experience of care leavers in higher education can be found on the AchieveAbility web site.
She is now undertaking a PhD at Brunel University exploring the impact of tutition fee on the choices and progression of different student groups.
Heather Symonds: Dyslexia Expert
Heather Symonds has been teaching for 27 years, during which time she has delivered units on; the PGCE (Greenwich), ‘A’ level provision Access to Humanities as Course Director. She held the post of Development Officer for NOCN (Open College of South London) and was a researcher in the School for Independent Study at the University of East London.
Currently, Heather is Dyslexia Co-coordinator/Adviser at LCC, University of the Arts London. She has been working with students within the field of Creative Arts for 14 years. Her work includes staff development and awareness training. Her Teaching and Learning Fellowship in 2005 led to staff and student handbooks and e guidance for oral assessment. In promoting a sustainable viva voce as accommodated assessment she has delivered staff development both nationally and internationally, notably, HEA 2007, SEDA 2007, CLTAD 2008 ,INSEA Japan 2008 and ‘Doing It Better’ RMIT/La Trobe in Australia 2007.
Her current research continues to include the viva voce together with oral assessment as inclusive curriculum. Heather’s recent published contribution centres on Teaching, Learning and Assessment in: Neurodiversity in Higher Education edited by David Pollak (Wiley, 2009). Her last journal article expresses the process of a new assessment for students with dyslexia: ‘Introducing Oral assessment within creative practice: ‘I can write but it’s like walking against the wind’. (Intellect Writing PAD 2009). In June 2009 she will present at the ‘9th International Conference for Diversity in Organisations, Communities and Nations’, Riga, Latvia.
Heather has worked with students from diverse backgrounds to produce oral material against grading descriptors in Sound Design, Fashion, Fine Art and Photojournalism. In working towards InCurriculum she has delivered a cross college elective; oral presentations and hopes that freedom of choice within assessment will help to create inclusive curriculum.
Dr Beverly Steffert : Chartered PsychologistBeverly is a Chartered Psychologist. She has a clinic in Cambridge specialising in specific learning difficulties and perceptual difficulties. In addition to working with clients she remains actively involved in academic research. She acts as Consultant Psychologist to Dyslexia Action and for many years was a lecturer in brain- behaviour relationships at London University. She is EEG Spectrum trained in neurofeedback and is an accredited EEG Spectrum Instructor. She is a member of the British Psychological Society and the International Society for Neuronal Regulation. She sits on the training & certification committee of the Society of Applied Neuroscience. Beverley's most recent work includes the neurology and psychology of learning styles. Beverley is chair of the Arts Dyslexia Trust www.learningrecovery.co.uk |
 |
Vivien Guy : Personlised Learning Expert
Vivien has developed specialised personalised learning programmes focusing on a holistic approach to pastoral support. She has considerable experience as senior FE manager with strategic responsibility for the leadership and development of tutorial and enrichment provision for 14-19 and adult learners, providing differentiated strategies and resources to meet a wide spectrum of learning styles and needs.
Her work has consistently received recognition from OFSTED for ‘good practice’ in embedding peer-mentoring; for the ‘extensive’ range of enrichment activities helping to improve learner ‘self-awareness and self-confidence’, for ’ innovative project work that promotes diversity’ and ‘the strong focus on
meeting Every Child Matters themes during tutorials.’
Vivien’s experience as college corporation member, chair of performance committee and local government councillor contributing to education policy in Merton has underpinned her shaping of the tutorial infrastructure that supports learner progress.
She has:
• driven up quality and consistency of tutorial delivery and contributed to improved retention and achievement, particularly among targeted ‘disadvantaged’ learners;
• contributed to the LSIS online pastoral training package, ‘Supporting Learners to Succeed’ and written on diversity and community cohesion for LSN publications;
• developed a nationally recognised cross-college Diversity competition promoting and creative recognition for learners;
• created an integrated online enrichment database to motivate learners and recognise ‘positive contribution’;
•
developed the online ILP to ensure learner ownership of targets and optimum access to enrichment.
Her work is recognised by OFSTED, LSN, WECAN Aimhigher and by the FE conference circuit.
Tutorial good practice sharing with FE colleges includes Lewisham, West Thames and CONEL.
LSN Associate and member of the LSN Citizenship Advisory Group
M.A. in Education: Language, the Arts and Education, University of Sussex
Gill Cumberland : learning support and progression expert,
After graduating in 1966 in Chemistry, Gill embarked on a long career in teaching –
initially Chemistry and, after 15 years, Maths.
She taught in a variety of settings including Grammar, Comprehensive, State and
Independent schools and a Language College! She was a Head of Science and
Deputy Head of Sixth Form.
In 1985 she joined the staff at Richmond upon Thames College as a part-time
lecturer and remained there for 18 years, progressing to Senior Tutor, then Student
Services manager. The latter role included oversight of the Additional Learning
Support offered by the college to all students with a learning difficulty or disability.
She personally interviewed many of these students and ensured they had the
support necessary for success in their chosen course.
She was seconded in 2001 to Central London to the post of Aimhigher Coordinator
(now Higher Education Links Manager) for the Westminster/Kensington and Chelsea
Excellence in Cities partnership, where she ran projects to enable disadvantaged
young people to progress to Higher Education.
Apart from 1 year back at the college in 2004-05 as 14-19 Director, Gill remained in
this role until her retirement on 31st August 2010.
She now acts as a consultant on progression to Higher Education, mainly working
with schools in Westminster and and Kensington and Chelsea.
Joseph Aquilina : Assistive Technology and Neurodiversity ConsultantA Fine Art Graduate, Joseph is a Neurodiversity consultant, Assistive Technology Tutor and qualified dyslexia specialist with over 10 years experience of working in Education. He has worked with a range of clients with varying disabilities, including physical disabilities, visual impairment, but specialises in individuals recognised as being dyslexic, dyspraxic, ADD/ADHD, aspergers, ASD and autistic. Institutions he has worked with as a consultant include the Job Centre Plus, RAPt (Rehabilitation of Addicted Prisoners Trust), University of the Arts London, Institute of Education, London Southbank and Goldsmiths Universities. Joseph has Postgraduate Certificates in Dyslexia from London Metropolitan University and LLU+ London Southbank University. He has co-designed and delivered the NATELT (Needs Assessment and Training of Enabling and Learning Technologies) CPD postgraduate course at LLU+ , specifically for the DSA sector. In 2009 he devised “Video Notes”, which uses video screen capture software for Windows PC and Apple Macs to capture training sessions for clients to look back at, when needing a recap post sessions. Diagnosed with Dyslexia in the 2nd year of his degree, Joseph has developed effective coping strategies which he shares with the people he works with, whilst helping them develop their own. His own reflection on his personal experiences of transforming his own “neuro-blocks” to learning means he understands the needs of people he works with intuitively. His reading speed has quadrupled since learning the SuperReading technique which he is excited about coaching others in. In 2011 Joseph was diagnosed as being ADHD and has since been learning more about the condition and how to work with people who are also ADHD. He is qualifying as a dyslexia diagnostician, and researches further into Dyslexia, Dyspraxia ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome and promotes the ideology that is Neurodiversity. Joseph has also worked as a youth worker for Lambeth, Croydon and Southwark, working with young offenders and young people with behaviour difficulties. In this role he was an arts workshop co-ordinator and facilitator. This role was also applied to two well known charities where Joseph was involved with Music and Art-Therapy workshops in various primary and secondary schools with Kids Company focusing on behavioural difficulties and with HAFAD these workshops were delivered at the centre in Hammersmith. He is also a published poet and an established singer songwriter with his own band, of his work deals with the issues surrounding neurodiversity. |
  |