Our Team

Lorraine is the owner of Willow and a dedicated consultant with over 35 years of experience in education. 

For the last 17 years of her career in mainstream education, she served as a SENDCo in both state and independent schools, culminating in her role as Head of Academic and Learning Support for students aged 3–18.

Initially focused on supporting students with SpLD, social skills, study strategies, and exam preparation, Lorraine has since specialised in working with students with ADHD, ASC, and SEMH. She holds a Master’s degree in SEND, completing a research project on equipping parents to support their children’s mental wellbeing. Lorraine also worked as an Educational Consultant on the autism team of SEND Supported and is involved in EOTAS (Education Other Than At School) packages for young people.

Lorraine is trained in The Decider Skills, which teach distilled Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy techniques. She is also proficient in using Social Stories and PACE and holds a Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Introduction to Counselling Skills.

Qualifications:

• Higher Diploma in Education
• BA (Hons)
• Post Graduate Diploma in SEND including CPT3A for assessment 
  & access arrangements
• MA Ed SEND
• Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Introduction to Counselling Skills
• Registered with the British Psychological Society 

Tim is an experienced teacher and mentor with a career spanning several decades. 

Originally from South Africa, Tim trained in Primary Education and has worked as a teacher, headteacher, coach, and mentor. He has also held roles in Adult Education and Training, including as a Training Manager in the business sector.

Tim’s passion for teaching has taken him from South Africa and Botswana to the U.K., where he became a headteacher in 1998. He has led three schools in England and one independent school in the Middle East. 

Tim is committed to embracing the individuality of students and their families, fostering collaboration with agencies and support services, and respecting the diverse needs of those he works with.

Qualifications:

• Higher Diploma in Education
• National Professional Qualification in Headship

Carolyn is an experienced education consultant and advocate dedicated to ensuring children and young people receive the support they need to access education. 

She also empowers parents by providing them with knowledge and advocacy tools. Carolyn offers expertise in:

• Navigating the SEND process, including SEND-Support and EHCPs
• Interpreting professional reports and creating comprehensive SEND-Needs documents
• Supporting EHCP processes, including requests for assessments, proofreading draft EHCPs, and advising on appeals
• Demystifying jargon and acronyms used by schools and local authorities
• Attending meetings to help parents and schools better support young people

Carolyn is IPSEA Level 3 SEND Law qualified and has over 25 years of experience in education, including seven years as a headteacher in inner-city Birmingham. She left her role to support her neurodivergent children and advocate for suitable education for them.

Qualifications:

• IPSEA Level 3 SEND Law Certification

Jane is an independent SEND practitioner specializing in Social, Emotional, and Mental Health. 

With over 16 years of teaching experience across Early Years, Primary, and Secondary schools, Jane has served as a primary SENDCo for 10 years and held senior roles in mental health and safeguarding.

Jane offers support to families and professionals at any stage of their SEND journey, including:

• Navigating the diagnosis process and accessing assessments
• Filling out forms and understanding documentation
• Providing therapeutic play interventions such as Advanced Drawing and Talking therapy, Sandplay, and emotion coaching

Her trauma-informed approach supports children who face barriers to psychological support. She also works with siblings, parents, carers, and education staff to address the broader impact of SEND.

Qualifications:

• BA (Hons), PGCE, MA
• PG Dip Inclusion & NASENCO Award
• Advanced Drawing and Talking Practitioner
• CCET & Registered with the British Psychological Society (RQTU 775406)

Marilyn is a specialist assessor and maths tutor with over 40 years of teaching experience in state and independent schools in South Africa and the UK. 

She has a passion for helping students access the maths curriculum and achieve their full potential through clear and enjoyable teaching methods.

Marilyn’s personal experience of raising children with ADHD and dyslexia has deepened her understanding and commitment to supporting students with special needs. Over the last 15 years, she has worked in SEN departments at independent schools, providing assessments, study skills support, and 1:1 maths tutoring. Marilyn is a professionally qualified assessor for dyslexia and Exam Access Arrangements and has recently renewed her APC (Assessment Practising Certificate).

Qualifications:

• Higher Diploma in Education (Maths and English)
• Further Diploma in Education (Guidance Counselling)
• Bachelor of Arts (English and Psychology)
• OCR Level 5 Certificate in Teaching Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia)
• OCR Level 7 Diploma in Teaching and Assessing Learners with Dyslexia/Specific Learning Difficulties
• SpLD Assessment Practising Certificate (Patoss)

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