Access educational support when you need it most.
Every day I hear a new story of a child waiting months (and sometimes, years) to access the support they desperately need. By the time the waiting list is over many children have been excluded, mismanaged and are facing emotional breakdowns. This is not acceptable. I have made it my mission to provide immediate support and access to assessments within a month.
Your journey is as unique as you are.
- INTIAL CONSULTATION
After an in-depth initial assessment, we will arrange an in-person assessment using a range of interviews, observations and clinical thresholds. Assessments are available to children and adults.
Autism
2. ASSESSMENT
Immediately afterwards you will be given the ‘headline’ results, followed by a summary results letter. This is then followed by your in depth, and totally bespoke report, tailored to you or your child’s needs.
ADHD
3. FOLLOW UP SUPPORT
These reports can then be provided to kick start support. Previously, reports have triggered appropriate classroom support, access adjustments, and in some cases, a complete training overhaul for the school.
Dyslexia
Practitioner, parent.
You want the best for your child. You want to know they have been able to reach their fullest potential. My motto ‘no child left behind’ resonates with all families who have faced delays or denials to services. I taught for over 17 years and was a Head of Year to over 360 children, but I left my mainstream position to forge a better pathway when my son was 12 weeks old: I’ve not looked back since.
During the pandemic I witnessed many children suffering with speech regression, especially my autistic families. I decided to undertake training in Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy for which I obtained a ‘High Distinction’
and in 2021 I successfully completed a MSc in Psychology (specialising in SEN) which informs my work. I am also registered with the BPS (British Psychological Society) and ADHD certified clinical services provider. I am also a Senior
registered member of the ACCPH (Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists) Recently, ‘The Learn to Shine school’ appeared on the BBC after winning the ‘Making a Difference’ BBC award. We also appeared
on ITV and the ITV news after I won the ‘National Diversity awards Role model in disability’, selected from 90,000 nominees across the country.
I have extensive experience of working with and supporting children with Autism, PDA, foetal alcohol syndrome, Selective Mutism, ADHD, Dyslexia, complex emotional and behavioural difficulties, with significant results. It is essential to me that your child is nurtured as an individual, and given the correct tools for the rest of their life. I support numerous companies as an SEN consultant and currently advise Talent management The YMU group on neurodiversity. I am often interviewed for magazines and radio stations on SEN matters and want to dispel the myths out there!
I created ‘Learn to Shine school CIC’ around the birth of my own little boy and girl. I know how hard parenting can be, and the challenges families face in the world of education, My passion is to enable every child, including my own, to be able to ‘Shine’.
2023
National Diversity award winner (ITV)
Benefact Movement for Good award winner
2022
BBC Make a Difference award – Together category
2021
Kent Women in Business awards: Business Woman of the Year winner
The Co-op: Local Community Award winner
Kent Women in Business Awards: Women in Education Runner up
2020
Kent Women in Business awards: Creative Arts award winner
2019
MPower National Business Awards: Inspire award winner
2018
Kent Women in Business Awards: Mumpreneur of the Year winner
Build skills
Our ‘Enrichment days’ allow all students, of all ages and abilities to access fun, practical lessons and life skills. Past workshops have included heart dissections and pumping lungs with our own Dr., learning to play steel drums and handling artefacts from the actual Jack the Ripper murder scene! Students have been inspired by Para-Olympic gold medalists and England Captains, showing that whatever disabilities you have, you can still be a winner!
Learning to cook together
experimental:
using vibrational sound therapy
Client Testimonials
S.Collier
Nicola is a miracle maker! My son was COMPLETELY non-verbal. Less than a month later he can say 8 key phrases to help him communicate! Fantastic is an understatement; the time, effort and patience she puts into her pupils shows how much she goes above and beyond. After our first consultation felt like a weight had been lifted instantly I felt heard, reassured, and confident that everything would be okay. Reggie is interacting so much more than before. He absolutely loves his sessions and has established a great bond with her! Thank you!
J.Hills
A genius balance of achieving the best and enjoyable learning. Nicola is a fabulous (one in a million) teacher. Planning & adapting lessons to suit the very individual needs of her pupils [whilst still meeting the criteria required].
Don’t be duped by the lovely relaxed and informal atmosphere, Nicola is very professional, and every effort is made to get the very best from her students.
Our Team
Meet Our Team of Professionals
Nicola Carey-Shine
CEO and Founder
Nicola is a qualified teacher with over 17 years’ experience. She quit her role in mainstream education and management when she became disillusioned with the education system, shortly after her son was born. In addition to teaching, Nicola qualified with a Psychology MSc and MBPsS. She is an accredited member of the British Psychological society and is highly trained in speech and language development. Nicola passionately advocates the voice of vulnerable and disadvantaged children, particularly those who are still seeking diagnosis, and lives by her motto: ‘No child left behind’. Nicola also has everyday experience of SEN. She lives in a neurodiverse household and uses her condition of ADHD as her superpower.
Sharon Jackson
Associate Director, Neurodiverse parent
Sharon is a passionate advocate for families living with disabilities. She is particularly knowledgeable about policy, support and procedures from social services and fetal alcohol syndrome disorder having adopted children with the condition. Sharon runs the ‘Much laughter’ CIC which supports children and families with the condition through the medium of comedy.
Sharon uses her condition of dyslexia as her superpower.
Tara Proctor
Lioness and school ambassador
Tara Proctor is a former English footballer and England international captain. Tara passionately believes that all children, of all abilities and gender should be able to gain confidence and achieve their potential. She has been a loyal supporter and ambassador since 2018. She has provided huge inspiration for the disadvantaged children at Learn to Shine school and have even taught them some nifty tricks!
Dr. Rachel Gow
Registered Nutritionist, Nutritional Neuroscientist
Child Neuropsychologist & Neurodevelopmental Specialist
Founder of Nutritious Minds
Rachel V. Gow, Ph.D is a Nutritional Neuroscientist, Neuropsychologist and Neurodevelopmental specialist with expertise in a range of mental health conditions and associative learning and behaviour differences. In addition, Dr. Gow is
a Registered Nutritionist (under the category of Science).
Dr. Gow has approximately 18 years of research and experience in psychological research in child/adolescent and adult clinical populations, and has published 22 peer reviewed book chapters and scientific papers.
Dr. Gow is also the founder of Nutritious Minds Trust. The aim of the trust is to advocate for all types of learning and behaviour differences and empower young people to reach their highest potential through psychological, educational,
nutritional support and community projects.
As seen and heard on
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ITV
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