ClearMind Learning - Dyslexia & Literacy Support

03/10/2026

🎓 Today marks the start of a new chapter at the University of Chester. 🎓

Life doesn’t always take you down the path you expected. There are twists, turns and unexpected changes along the way, but sometimes they lead you exactly where you need to be.

I’ll always be incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to return to Bangor University, where my university journey first began as an undergraduate.

And now, another change of direction brings me here, to the University of Chester, to finish my MA.

Here’s to the next chapter. 💚

17/09/2026

📚 Top tips for the new FSCE 11+ 📚

Tip #1: Reading matters

For children preparing for the new Trafford grammar school entrance test, one of the most useful things they can be doing now is simply reading regularly and reading widely.

But it isn’t just about getting through lots of books.

Encourage your child to:

• talk about unfamiliar vocabulary
• explain why a character behaved in a certain way
• predict what might happen next
• find clues in the text to support an answer
• summarise what they have read in their own words

These are small habits, but they build the deeper reading and comprehension skills children need across the KS2 English curriculum.

With the move to FSCE, strong foundations matter more than learning lots of isolated “11+ tricks”.

17/09/2026

The ClearMind Learning website has had a little refresh 💚

I’ve been gradually updating the site so that it better reflects what ClearMind is now, specialist, supportive and focused on helping children build confidence as well as skills.

You’ll now find clearer information about:
• specialist dyslexia and literacy tuition
• dyslexia screening
• the ClearMind approach
• how to get in touch and enquire about support

There are also some new photos from the ClearMind Classroom, so the website feels much more like the real space children come to learn in.

If you haven’t had a look for a while, now is a good time to have a browse. 💚

www.clearmindlearning.com

16/09/2026

We are currently in the middle of National Inclusion Week!

For me and so many others inclusion is not about lowering expectations for children who find learning difficult. It is about removing those unnecessary barriers, giving children fair opportunity to show what they know and what they can do.

That might mean extra processing time, clearer instructions, reduced copying, access to assistive technology, a different way of recording an answer, or teaching that is more explicit and structured.

It is amazing how small adjustments can make a very big difference and often help far more children than the one they were originally intended for. 💚

16/09/2026

Sunday was Roald Dahl Story Day… but stories don’t need to belong to just one day.

For children who find reading difficult, books can sometimes begin to feel like work rather than enjoyment. That’s why I think it’s so important to keep stories, imagination and reading for pleasure at the heart of literacy support.

Stories can last a lifetime, and books can be treasured across generations. The books in this photo are a mixture of my own from childhood and some that have also been loved by my own children, which makes them especially meaningful.

Sometimes the most important thing is simply helping a child see that books and stories are for them too. 💚

14/09/2026

Two spaces available in my Year Five 11+ tuition group

My small-group 11+ preparation sessions start this Thursday 17th September at 3:45pm, and I currently have two spaces remaining. This is for Year Five children only.

Sessions will focus on:
▪️Key Stage 2 English and Maths Skills
▪️Building confidence and accuracy
▪️Developing problem-solving and exam technique
▪️Practising the types of skills your child will need for the entrance assessment
▪️Small-group teaching with individual support

I’m a qualified primary teacher and run ClearMind Learning, providing specialist, supportive tuition in a calm learning environment.

If your child is preparing for the Trafford 11+ in September 2027 and you’d like to know more, please send me a message. 💚

08/09/2026

Wow… what a week! 💚

I hope all of my pupils have had a really positive first week back at school.

Tonight, I get to welcome them back to the ClearMind Classroom, and I’m ready and raring to go!

I’m so looking forward to seeing everyone again, hearing all about their first week, and getting started on another fabulous year of learning, progress and confidence-building.

Here’s to a brilliant year ahead! 💚

26/08/2026

As we move into the last week of summer, life doesn’t need to become “school bootcamp” 💚

If your child is heading back to school soon, there’s no need to suddenly fill the final days with worksheets, reading targets or spelling practice.

A few gentle things can help instead:

• start nudging bedtime back
• check bags, shoes and uniform together
• talk positively about going back to school
• read together if they want to, without pressure
• remind them that they don’t need to remember everything before they go back

For children who find literacy difficult, the return to school can bring extra worries.

A calm, predictable start is often far more helpful than trying to squeeze in lots of last-minute learning.

08/07/2026

New for September 2026! 😲

Starting on Monday 7th September for six weeks only :

- SEN Friendly Musical Theatre Sessions 🎭
- SEN Friendly Singing Sessions 🎤

Off the back of our successful pilot events this summer! 🎵

The two sessions each Monday will be totally separate from each other, but students may choose to attend both. Sessions must be block booked - all six or none as we will be progressing over the weeks to work towards final performances. 👀

For anyone in school years 7 to 13!

For more information including costings, and to reserve your child's place - please email me [email protected] 🙂

08/07/2026

⚽️ What a fantastic idea from Royal Mail!⚽️

Opportunities like this give children a genuine reason to read, write and be creative.

I love seeing literacy linked to children’s interests and hobbies, it’s often where the most meaningful learning happens.

As a bonus, your child could win £1,500 worth of sports kit for their school.

Take a look at the original post below for all the details. ⚽✉️

Children aged 4-17 can cheer on England this summer by sending letters of support for a chance to win £1,500 in sports kit for their school or sports club. ✉️⚽

Get involved by sending a letter to:

World Class Letters
Freepost England

Further details, including full T&C's, are available online at royalmail.com/worldclassletters