About Kay Dain

For the last seventeen years, I have worked in education.    

I graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in geography and my teaching qualification.  I taught in Natal Province, South Africa for the YMCA before returning to the UK, where I worked in a range of businesses focussing on marketing, ultimately becoming Marketing Director for a PLC company and subsequently running a marketing consultancy.  

The diagnosis of my eldest son’s dyslexia led me to refresh my teaching qualification and take both my ‘Level 5’ and ‘Level 7’ Specialist Teacher qualifications and gain my APC (Assessment Practising Certificate), with the ability to diagnose dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties.  I helped those with dyslexia in a series of state primary and secondary schools and in a young offenders’ facility. 

I worked in my final school for 12 years in a variety of roles: Academic Support Teacher, Geography Teacher, Head Teacher, Director of Teaching and Learning before settling into the role I have found the most rewarding - SENDCo. 

I have administered testing for access arrangements (AAs) for twelve years.  Under my leadership, every JCQ inspection has been passed with no points of improvement.  I believe this experience has given me great experience in supporting SENDCos in their busy and heavy workloads.    

I enjoy reading the latest research on specific learning difficulties and am happy to share any insight with the education community, including any changes resulting from the annual JCQ revision of AA rules. 

I hold the following qualifications: 

· Assessment Practising Certificate (currently awaiting renewal with the Dyslexia Guild) 

· Associated membership of the Dyslexia Guild 

· DBS update service (C8229726575) 

· Professional indemnity and public liability insurance 

· Level 7 Diploma in Dyslexia and literacy difficulties (University of York) 

· Level 5 Certificate in Dyslexia and literacy difficulties (University of York) 

· MA in Geography, University of Cambridge 

· PGCE from Homerton College, University of Cambridge 

Testimonials: 

“I worked with Kay for five years in her role as Access Arrangements Assessor and SENDCo. Kay could always be relied upon to test students sensitively, accurately and efficiently”. 

Dr Mike Milner, Principal, John Nike Academy, Reading 

“Kay has conducted the Access Arrangement testing for the school at which I am Centre Manager for over 12 years. She has done so knowledgeably, professionally and with a student-centric approach. Our JCQ Inspectors have always been impressed.” 

Mrs Natalie Holsgrove Jones, Head of Academics, Reddam House Berkshire  

“We were delighted to have Kay come and work with the whole staff team delivering a Twilight Training session. Kay speaks with confidence, experience and a good deal of passion for students who have learning needs. Kay's experience and expertise are carefully curated to ensure that she approaches every child as a unique individual and endeavours to get the best out of them.  

Comments from the staff afterwards demonstrate Kay's accessibility and ability to tailor to her audience.  Kay's practical and useful tips make every conversation with her an enlightening experience, and rarely have I had the pleasure to work with someone who has a heart for children as she has. She is a vocal ambassador for children and a master at getting the best from them.  I would recommend her without hesitation.” 

Mrs Tammy Howard, Deputy Head, Hampton Prep School