HomeWhat is Dyslexia?AssessmentsSupport at Schools & FEHelp in the WorkplaceAbout UsContact Us
HomeWhat is Dyslexia?AssessmentsSupport at Schools & FEHelp in the WorkplaceAbout UsContact Us

About Dyslexia West Midlands

We are a team of Specialist Dyslexia Teachers and Educational Psychologists based across the Midlands

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Specialist Dyslexia Teachers and Educational Psychologists
Suzanne McDowell BSC(Hons) PGCE Dip SpLD AMBDADyslexia West Midlands staff

Suzanne McDowell BSC(Hons) PGCE Dip SpLD AMBDA

Specialist Teacher, Assessor and Workplace Consultant

Suzanne has a vast range of experience working in education and has always had a particular passion for ensuring children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities succeed.

Suzanne has had experience as a senior leader and teacher, SENCO, Specialist advisory teacher and Area Manager of SEND in the West Midlands. She has over 23 years' experience working with students across a variety of Primary, Secondary and Higher Education Facilities across the West Midlands. She has current knowledge of the new SEND system and its implications in Educational Facilities.

She has a wide variety of knowledge in the areas of Dyslexia, Autism, Dyspraxia, General Learning Difficulties and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Suzanne has currently been involved in a DFE project expanding knowledge of Neurodiversity in schools.

Suzanne undertakes tuition and assessments at the Coventry Centre and training in schools and she is an experienced Consultant for Workplace Needs assessments.

Alison Pierson BA(Hons) PGCE Dip Spld AMBDADyslexia West Midlands staff

Alison Pierson BA(Hons) PGCE Dip Spld AMBDA

Specialist Teacher and Dyslexia Assessor

Alison is a Specialist Dyslexic teacher with over 25 years of experience of working with children at primary school level. Alison has worked in Coventry and surrounding districts and is familiar with the current curriculum delivered in schools. Alison has delivered bespoke interventions in Primary schools. Alison delivers multi- sensory tuition at our Coventry Centre.

Octavius Ross BSc(Hons), PGCE, MEd (Ed Psych), C PsycholDyslexia West Midlands staff

Octavius Ross BSc(Hons), PGCE, MEd (Ed Psych), C Psychol

Consultant Chartered Psychologist and Educational Psychologist
  • ‍Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society, and Division of Educational & Child Psychology
  • Member of the Association of Educational Psychologists
  • Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
  • HCPC Practising Certificate / Registration no: PYL20400

Octavius has over 20 years experience of working with Pre-school, Early Years, Children and Adults. He conducts Diagnostic Assessments for Children from age 6 years and adults (including for employment) for Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia. He also conducts GCSE and A-Level Examination Access Arrangements and Disabled Student Allowances (DSAs) for University.

Dawn Francis BSc, PhD, PG Dip, C.PsycholDyslexia West Midlands staff

Dawn Francis BSc, PhD, PG Dip, C.Psychol

British Psychological Society - Chartered Psychologist
  • Consultant Chartered Psychologist
  • Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society
  • Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
  • Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
  • HCPC Practising Certificate / Registration no:  PYL29162

Dawn is a psychologist who has worked in the dyslexia field for the past 16 years.  Her Specialist area is with the assessment of clients aged 16+ years for dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dyspraxia.   Her clients seek assessment for all sorts of purposes, including university/Disabled Students Allowance applications, applications for extra time at GCSE and A level, and work and career-related issues.  

She can also assess clients who may have acquired dyslexia and other literacy difficulties later in life through brain injury, strokes, or other brain conditions such as tumours and meningitis.  

Mrs. Jane HateleyDyslexia West Midlands staff

Mrs. Jane Hateley

Specialist Dyslexia Assessor
  • BEd Hons
  • Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma in specific learning difficulties - dyslexia. APC no: 500002768-FL18307
  • Certificate in Dyslexia leadership and intervention
  • Access Arrangements training
  • ATS, AMBDA,APC MDG MDA
  • Specialist Leader of Education in SEND - Dyslexia

Jane has worked in primary education for 25 years and taught from age 3-11. She has worked in the roles of Head of year 2, EYFS and KS1 Assistant Headteacher, language Base and assistant SENDCO at a large primary school in Worcestershire, before leaving in 2019 to focus on dyslexia training, support, assessment and tutoring. She was employed as a Senior tutor at Bromsgrove workshop where she oversaw SPLD tutors tutoring children from the ages of 6-16. The workshop is affiliated to the British Dyslexia Association for which she was a deputy for the West Midlands region on the Local Association Board.

Jane can assess children for Dyslexia from the ages of 5 - 16 years of age. Jane is a qualified DSA assessor. She has also worked with secondary schools with advice and assessment for access arrangements.

Mrs Alison DaviesDyslexia West Midlands staff

Mrs Alison Davies

Specialist Dyslexia Assessor
  • Bachelor of Philosophy and Autism (with Distinction)
  • Post graduate certificate in Dyslexia
  • AMBDA Status, Assessment Practicing Certificate Number: 23/APC 11191.

Alison is an experienced Dyslexia assessor with over 20 years experience supporting individuals with Special Needs. She assesses children and adults for Dyslexia and has considerable knowledge and expertise in the areas of: Autism, Sensory impairments, Dyspraxia, General learning difficulties and Attention Deficits.

In addition to Dyslexia diagnostic assessments, Alison provides exam access arrangements and consultations for parents and professionals in the field of Special needs.

Mrs. Hayley AdamsDyslexia West Midlands staff

Mrs. Hayley Adams

Specialist Dyslexia Assessor
  • BSC Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • PGCE Science
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Dyslexia with AMBDA status
  • APC :19/APC08151

Hayley has worked in the education system for the last 18years building a wealth of experience both in primary and secondary schools. After specialising as a Special Educational Needs teacher, she embarked in further training to become a specialist teacher and assessor of Specific Learning Difficulties for pupils up to the age of 18 years. Hayley is a member of both PATOSS and The British Dyslexia Association where she participates in regular CPD to update and keep a breadth of new research to inform her knowledge. Hayley can assess children from the ages of 7-15 years old.

Sukhdev Thind:  BA (Hons), MSc, PGCE, ATS FE/HE, AMBDA (Patoss)Dyslexia West Midlands staff

Sukhdev Thind: BA (Hons), MSc, PGCE, ATS FE/HE, AMBDA (Patoss)

Specialist Teacher and Dyslexia Assessor
  • Full Member of Patoss 1044: AMBDA – Dyslexia Assessor
  • ATS FE/HE: British Dyslexia Association

Sukhdev is a qualified lecturer who currently works in FE/ HE.  He has substantial experience of working with post 16 learners in secondary, Further Education & Higher Educational settings.  He is qualified to conduct Diagnostic Assessments for post 16 learners and adults in workplace settings.  Alongside this, he is also a SpLD Specialist Tutor and works with neuro-divergent students in developing independency in their learning.  Sukhdev is passionate about ensuring that students ‘own’ their learning and underpins a student-first approach.

Mrs Vicky BooteDyslexia West Midlands staff

Mrs Vicky Boote

Specialist Dyslexia Assessor
  • Degree in teaching with a specialism in Early Years
  • Masters in Education with Merit
  • Post graduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs
  • CPT3Aqualification in Psychometric Testing
  • APC:500003402-IF 10091 (PATOSS)

Vicky is an experienced Primary school teacher and Dyslexia assessor with over 15 years’ experience supporting individuals with Special Needs. She assesses children for Dyslexia and has considerable knowledge in other fields of SEND. Vicky has previously worked with a Local Authority and worked with Primary schools to provide Learning and Dyslexia assessments of pupils.

In addition to Dyslexia diagnostic assessments, Vicky provides exam access arrangements and consultations for parents and professionals in the field of Special needs.

Miss Shannon PowerDyslexia West Midlands staff

Miss Shannon Power

Specialist Teacher
  • Level 2 Managing Challenging Behaviour
  • Level 3 Teaching assistant (supporting teaching and Learning)
  • Level 2 Autism training
  • Level 5 Certificate in Dyslexia and Literacy support and Intervention

Shannon is a specialist Dyslexia teacher and a current assistant SENDCo within a primary school in Coventry. She has a wide range of knowledge and experience working with children with Dyslexia, Autism, ADHD, speech and language and communication difficulties and general learning difficulties. She aids teachers to adapt the curriculum, provides advice and support strategies and ensures that all children with SEND are given the best support possible.

She currently offers tailored tuition for children with dyslexia and/or any other special educational needs at our centre in Coventry.

Danielle HarbordDyslexia West Midlands staff

Danielle Harbord

Specialist dyslexia assessor and trainer

Danielle has worked in the education sector for 20 years, as a specialist literacy teacher, school leader and university lecturer. She is friendly and approachable, extremely sensitive to the needs of children and adults with literacy difficulties, including those with complex co-occurring challenges.

Danielle offers remote assessments via Zoom for adults (18+) to students (seeking DSA support) and those who may need adjustments in the workplace. These are offered UK wide.

She is very experienced at assessing children and adults. In addition to the dyslexia assessment, adults can also be screened for characteristics of ADHD and/or DCD (dyspraxia) to assess if these characteristics are also impacting the individual’sstudies, work and wider life.

All Specialist teachers and Psychologists have up to date enhanced DBS Certificates and have up to date knowledge on Safeguarding procedures.

Contact Us

0333 577 9422

Our centres are located in Coventry in the West Midlands.

111 New Union Street
Coventry, CV1 2NT

Teaching Centre
Trescoe House
Stoke Green
Coventry, CV3 1AA

Free 15 minute Consultations available

Assessments for adults and children starting from £250

Please phone to book

Need extra time for examinations?

We have specialist teachers that can conduct a FORM 8 for GCSE's and A levels. Please call or e mail to find out more.

0333 577 9422

Customer Reviews

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Name

Review text.

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Izzy Aylwin

I booked a dyslexia test earlier this year and was in a rush to meet my universities deadline. Dyslexia West Midlands were very considerate about the time pressure due to my deadline and I received my report much quicker than estimated. The test was carried out professionally and in a comfortable environment. I highly recommend if you are considering getting a dyslexia test.

chrissy d

Our son had been struggling academically, socially and emotionally at school. The team have been so patient with him and employed many different strategies to enable him learn at his own level. Suzanne came in to do an observation on him at school and provided  a detailed report to the school, suggesting many strategies the school could try to enable him to access his learning more effectively, maintain concentration for longer and generally be happier at school.

Camille Stedall

Thank you for all your assistance. We have found your team very supportive and helpful it’s be great to have your experienced advice and educational support.

M

Martin Gould

I can't praise Suzanne and her team highly enough; very professional but with a relaxed manner which creates a great atmosphere for our 9 year old son to learn in.

M

Michael John Bayley

After a discussion through a free consultation we decided to get my daughter assessed. The process was very simple and the report was very thorough. My daughter now feels more confident and happy in her approach to learning and school. Thanks Dyslexia West Midlands.

Ulrike Nichols

I only called to get more information because my daughter (year 4) really struggles with spelling. Suzanne asked a number of very precise questions and suggested to do a vision test. Now my daughter has glasses and seems much more confident. We will see how that might affect her spelling but I would never have known that she might be struggling with  her vision. Thank you so much! I am beyond grateful.