About Me

I am Linda Wakeford an experienced teacher who has worked in education for over twenty years. I have always had an interest in pupils with learning differences, particularly dyslexia. I am fully qualified to teach pupils up to the age of 16 for dyslexia.

I aim to improve the literacy skills of those with dyslexic tendencies, develop confidence in their abilities and offer guidance on how best to support them to families and schools. I work with both individuals privately and as an advisor in both primary and secondary schools. As I offer both online and in-person tuition, my pupils are both local and international.

I have a unique and highly specialist skill set, alongside my teaching experience I have a degree qualification in speech and language therapy. This enables me to draw on all my expertise and knowledge whilst assessing and teaching. Pupils with specific learning difficulties (SpLD), often have co-occurring difficulties or elements of these e.g. Developmental Language Disorder or Autism, which requires a holistic approach to address all their learning needs.

Most of all I understand that pupils need to be motivated to engage in an area of learning they find difficult. I enjoy being creative with the resources that I use in my sessions so that pupils are motivated and can enjoy learning. I create a positive learning environment, where trust is built, mistakes are accepted and strategies for learning challenges can be discussed. Therefore, developing a positive mindset and independence.

My area of specialist interest is using assistive technology to help pupils succeed in their learning. The range of help available that is low-cost and free to use on iPads and computers is revolutionary. This can include text-to-speech software to aid reading, writing software, mind-mapping apps and screen adjustments. I have attended courses and continually updated my knowledge.

I regularly update my knowledge through attendance at conferences such as the International British Dyslexia Conference, attend webinars on aspects of Literacy and assistive technology and network with other professionals through the British Dyslexia Association. 

I have a current DBS check, which is registered with the up-date service, and Accredited Teacher Status from the British Dyslexia Association.