Educational services
With Cat Wright Solutions
Specialist educational services
Hi, I'm Cat Wright B.Ed (Hons), PGDip (SpLD), AMBDA. Following 9 years of experience as a specialist advisory teacher within support services and 13 years of teaching, I was made redundant in 2018 as a result of changes in the funding streams of schools. This offered me the opportunity to develop a business working with individuals, schools, settings and parents, delivering a service that is entirely solution facing., where learning and behaviour needs are considered inseparable and inter-related.
Bespoke Solutions for learning and behaviour needs
My experience, expertise and passion to support young people in their engagement with their learning journey enables me to offer bespoke problem solving for learning and behaviour needs. Please contact me to arrange an initial planning meeting (delivered at no charge) to identify need and plan your own bespoke package of support.
In my advisory role I have:
- Identified need through bespoke consultation - solution-focussed problem solving discussions.
- Devised and delivered training including CPD and a more practical team-teaching approach where appropriate.
- Assessed and supported individual students through the process of change, creating bespoke packages of support using a range of strategies including solution focussed brief therapy, motivational interviewing and restorative approaches.
- Completed robust and informative dyslexia assessments and diagnoses - with the focus being on positive outcomes for the young person, through clear and actionable recommendations for key stakeholders (school, parent, pupil or individual).
- Built strong working relationships with key staff in schools.
- Delivered training at Exeter University to the Trainee EPs on Dyslexia and Dyscalculia.
Individual or group consultation approach for schools
Students who are failing to thrive in school often have unmet learning or emotional needs. The bespoke problem solving approach I adopt at Cat Wright Solutions offers the opportunity to explore, identify and address these unmet needs.
The consultation process can include a variety of elements including:
- Consultation meeting
- Assessment
- 1:1 work
- Feedback / Training
- Review
Training and Continuing Professional Development
Staff CPD can be delivered on range of subjects around SEND and SEMH - to a variety of audiences.
Example areas of training I have delivered:
- Dyslexia and literacy difficulties.
- Dyscalculia and maths learning difficulties.
- Memory and Working Memory - How to identify and support difficulties.
- Understanding and Managing Change.
- Restorative Approaches to at work in school.
This list is not exhaustive - I also deliver bespoke training packages to schools - please contact me directly to discuss your own training needs.
Private Dyslexia Assessment & Diagnosis Service
I offer assessments that are bespoke to an individuals needs. A diagnosis of dyslexia or dyscalculia alone is unlikely to have any impact upon one’s outcomes. If you opt for an assessment with me you will receive an assessment delivered by a highly skilled, experienced specialist teacher with a career in education spanning 22 years (and counting!).
To ensure your decision to assess is an informed one, I offer an initial meeting, at no cost, to:
- discuss the purpose of a diagnosis
- explain the process, expectations and outcomes of the assessment.
- help you decide whether I am the right person to work with your son/daughter.
Should you decide to opt for the whole assessment, you will agree to engage in a detailed conversation about the early language development of your son/daughter. He/she will then undertake a series of robust assessments, delivered within a low-noise, distraction-free environment, resulting in a detailed strengths-and-needs profile analysis.
Feedback will include strategies to support and develop skills - both at home and in school - and a diagnosis where appropriate.
Included in the package is an opportunity for me to feedback directly to your son/daughter’s school regarding support strategies and reasonable adjustment.
CONTACT MEAnswering common questions about educational services
Here are some of the common and key points you should consider when procuring specialist educational services:
What you should look for in a dyslexia assessment?
Specialist teachers will be AMBDA registered and have a current APC (Assessment Practicing Certificate - ask for their number or to see the certificate if you are unsure), demonstrating an individuals continued engagement in high quality CPD ensuring they are up to date with the latest thinking in the world of dyslexia.
The relationship with the assessor is key.
Look for an assessor who will meet with you for an initial discussion prior to the assessment.
Do not be afraid to shop around, you should feel confident that the assessor will work flexibly to manage the needs of your son/daughter, ensuring that they are at ease.
Make sure your son/daughter feels at ease with the assessor and is happy for an assessment to take place.
Expect the assessor to talk about what happens if the assessment does not result in a diagnosis of dyslexia.
What is your experience and what are your qualifications?
I have 22 years of experience, having taught in Birmingham (where I qualified as a teacher in 1996) and Staffordshire for 13 of those years. I have experience in teaching throughout the primary phases, and have held a number of different roles including senior leadership developing and overseeing core skill development.
I made the move to Special Educational Needs Support Services (SENSS) in Staffordshire as a Behaviour Support coordinator in 2010, and worked to gain my NPSLBA and CCET. In December 2013 I moved, with my family, to North Somerset, to join the Vulnerable Learners Service as an Advisory Teacher for Learning Language and Communication, having developed skills in assessment which were complimentary to both behaviour and learning needs assessment.
During the years I worked for the service I continued to enhance my understanding of learning difficulties, attending CPD and gaining my Post Graduate Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties - Dyslexia/Dyscalculia. I am AMBDA registered and hold a current APC.
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What my clients say
Below are some comments from clients in connection with my Education Services:
Cat came to do a session with us on dyslexia and dyscalculia. It was really interesting and we all felt that we learnt a lot. There were some great practical tasks and we got a real feel about how people with these numeracy and literacy difficulties experience the world. Thank you, we really enjoyed it.
Year 1 Trainee Educational Psychologist, Exeter University, December 2019
Cat Wright was asked by my 7 year old, son’s school to come in and assess him as he has various educational and language difficulties. Cat only spent a short amount of time with my son and in that time she managed to provide one of the best assessments of his needs but also his personality, that we have ever had. My son responded well to her and he came home and told me about his ‘visitor’ which was the first time he had ever talked about school. When we received the report from Cat, it was clear, well thought out and she observed educational, developmental and personality needs all in one session of meeting my son. She then suggested a few ways of helping my son through the school and outside services. When I met Cat, as a parent she is easy to talk to, explains things clearly and seems very aware of the child’s needs. I honestly cannot praise Cat enough for the time she spent with my son and the work she did.
Mrs W, Portishead
Cat has made a huge difference to the provision and support in my school. She works closely with the school, parents and the child to unpick any learning difficulties and recommends strategies that enable children to achieve their own targets and subsequently access whole class teaching. Cat's reports are incredibly detailed and help to support the top up funding process. Cat has a fantastic manner with parents and puts them at ease as soon as they meet her. All parents leave a meeting feeling supported and that and support will be put in place to support any learning difficulty. My school will continue to use Cat as an advisory teacher in the future as you can guarantee an amazing level of service and dedication to the child.
Claire, SENCO North Somerset
Cat has been our Advisory teacher for the last 2 - 3 years. We have found her to be quick to respond to referrals. She is punctual, reliable and flexible with her visits. Cat undertakes thorough assessments of children and has detailed consultations with staff and parents ensuring that everyone (including the child) has a voice. Children love to work with her during her visits! Cat's advice is sensible and easily trialled as she is mindful of the practicalities of supporting children in a busy classroom. We are always pleased with Cat's reports which are a precise and accurate account of what was said in consultations and reviews. Dyslexia assessments written by Cat are easy to read, understand and take action from.
Julie Prior, SENCO
Thank you very much for supporting K at a time when she was struggling with schooling issues and her anxieties, your techniques and advice made a world of difference. Also thanks for your continued support with her transition from primary school to secondary school. This has helped a great deal with her confidence in going to school. We would highly recommend Cat.
Mr & Mrs F, Weston-Super-Mare
Cat supported my son and his learning in primary. I found Cat to not only be exceptionally knowledgeable I also found her to incredibly empathetic and supportive. Cat was able to clearly demonstrate the strategies required to support my son and understand his needs, not just his needs to be educated perhaps differently, she understood his behaviours and educated everyone to support my child. Cat understands challenging behaviours, complex children and can embrace the school and the parent to ensure collaborative working produces the best outcomes for the child. Cat is not only an asset to the child, she is an asset to a school, where teachers are failing to unlock the child’s potential Cat will support the school and enable all to have the tools to educate and meet needs. I would highly recommend Cat
Jessica, Parent, Portishead
Thanks for your input - it was really valued by staff. April 2018
Cathedral Primary School, Bristol
The dyslexia awareness training session Catherine provided for our school team was truly fantastic. The presentation combined the perfect amount of instruction and engagement of the audience – which was ideal for our team. Catherine was able to share her expertise and first-hand experiences in a way that everyone could relate to, providing clear and actionable suggestions. Catherine is a lively, dynamic speaker who captivated the audience members and received very positive feedback from all. We would definitely look to book her again.
Sarah Vincent - Westhaven Special School - Assistant Head and Acting SENCO - Training Delivered March 2018
Contact me about educational services
If you’d like to discuss how I might be able to help with educational services then please send message or call me. I look forward to speaking with you.
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