The SEND5 Team
Catrina Julliard
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BA(Hons), MA, PGCE, Post Graduate Diploma in SpLD (Dyslexia), AMBDA, APC (Patoss), Patoss Registered
Catrina has 14 years teaching experience working across the Key Stages in Primary Schools. She has held posts as a class teacher, a SENCO, an Inclusion Manager and most recently, as a Specialist Teacher for a local London authority. Catrina has facilitated the inclusion of children with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities in mainstream school settings. She specialises in the assessment and teaching of children with dyslexia and literacy difficulties.
Previously, Catrina worked at the London Research Centre as part of the Homelessness Team, providing research and information services to the London Boroughs.
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email: catrina.julliard@send5.co.uk
Dr Jo Armitage
EdD, MA in IT in Education, RSA Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties, Tutor Practising Certificate (Patoss) , Assessment Practising Certificate (Patoss), PGCE in Leadership and Management, SASC and PASSHE registered
Jo has over twenty years of experience working with a local authority advising schools, (primary, secondary and 6th form) on SEN. Experience includes assessment for specific learning difficulties (dyslexia and dyscalculia), 1:1 study support and assessments for access arrangements for common entrance, GCSEs and A-Levels.
Jo was an associate lecturer with the Open University for MA modules in On-line and Distance Education and Critical Research for a number of years. She now offers assessments and study support for adults including students in higher education that need diagnostic assessments to meet university criteria for the Disabled Student Allowance and study support.
email: jo.armitage@send5.co.uk
Mairead Cassidy
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BEd, MA, OCR CertSpLD, CPT3A, APC, Patoss Registered
Mairead has over 30 years’ experience in the mainstream school environment as a teacher, SENCO, Inclusion Manager and Assistant Headteacher, mainly in the secondary sector. Her experience includes two periods as an SEN Advisory Teacher with a London Local Authority from 1997 to 1998 and again from 2013 to 2017
Mairead has worked with children of all ages with a range of special educational needs and disabilities, carrying out assessments and identifying specific needs and barriers to learning, and advising school staff and parents on support and provision required; she also has extensive experience of liaising with education, health and social care professionals. Mairead is Vice Chair of Governors of a London primary school.
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email: mairead.cassidy@send5.co.uk
Nicola Sessions
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BSc (Hons), PGCE,DipCert, TPC & APC, AMBDA, Patoss Registered
Born and educated on the South Coast, Nicola gained a BSc.(Hons) degree in Psychology from Sussex University, going on to complete her PGCE at Brunel University. After seven years as a successful KS2 class teacher in the Borough of Richmond, Nicola moved into a role as a SENCO before joining a team of Local Authority advisory teachers.
Her background in Psychology and her experience as a parent have helped her to acquire an astute insight into child development and the difficulties that some young people face in developing literacy skills. Nicola is appreciated for her depth of knowledge, skill and dedication in supporting her students and her ability to train fellow professionals with humour and understanding.
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email: nicola.sessions@send5.co.uk
Trish Kerswill
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BA (Hons), Cert Ed, Post Grad Dip Dyslexia & Literacy, AMBDA, SpLD APC, Patoss Registered
Trish has over ten years of experience working within a local London authority as a specialist teacher for pupils (both primary and secondary) with dyslexia and general literacy difficulties. Trish has been a teacher for over twenty years. Prior to her appointment as a specialist teacher, she worked as a class teacher in primary schools and across the key stages in a special school for pupils with moderate & complex learning needs. She has a wealth of experience working with pupils with a wide range of learning differences, assessing their strengths and needs, and planning and delivering personalised learning programmes.
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email: trish.kerswill@send5.co.uk
