Established in 2021, Achieve Dyslexia Tutoring and Assessing came to fruition after years of frustration and battles with my own children and having their needs recognised. I had also been working in the special educational needs departments of schools for over 10 years and had realised that the provision for students with dyslexia, in most cases, was severely lacking. After some research, in 2019, I embarked on a Masters of Education in Language, Literacy and Dyslexia, which would equip me with the knowledge and qualifications to be able to fully support students with dyslexia and identify those who did not yet have a diagnosis.
In 2025, I made the decision to home educate my youngest daughter, as she found the school enviroment too challenging due to neurodivergence. With this change I built up my tutoring business and eventually introduced home ed. sessions for those struggling to access literacy.
From my work in schools as a SENCO and from personal experience, I soon realised that once a diagnosis of neurodivergence is made, in most cases, the support stops there!
In 2026 I decided to train as a neurodiversity coach, alongside my established practice, to offer support to those who are diagnosed or identify as neurodivergent to help them navigate a world often not made for them.
I am a Fully Qualified Specialist Dyslexia (SpLD) Teacher, able to provide specialist 1:1 tutoring in Literacy and Maths for students with dyslexia or SpLD.
I am also qualified to carry out Diagnostic Assessments & make Exam Access Recommendations , including support for DSA applications (APC/AMBDA)
Accredited Neurodiversity Coach
I have over 15 years of teaching experience , working across KS1 to KS4.
I have previously worked as the Deputy SENCO, leading on SpLD, in a mainstream secondary school, providing specialist support to both students and teachers.
I am also a qualified TEFL teacher - I can provide tutoring for learners of English as a second language, especially those who are having difficulties in acquiring the language
I hold an Enhanced DBS Certificate.
Tutoring & Assessments are carried out in my home office in Sidcup (South East London / Kent)
M.Ed SpLD - Language, Literacy & Dyslexia (University of Birmingham)
British Dyslexia Association - Assessment Practicing Certificate
Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association with Approved Teacher Status
Professional Member of the Association of Teachers of Students with SpLD (PATOSS)
NASENCO (National Award for SEN Co-Ordination)
PGCE Special Educational Needs (University of Hertfordshire)
BA Hons Childhood Studies (Open University)
ICAHP Neurodiversity Coach
Sounds-Write certified instructor
Read, Write, Inc certified instructor
TEFL Certified (Global Language Training)
Founder and Specialist Teacher/Assessor - Donna Rickwood