Who are DEKS?

DEKS is a local support group, which has been set up to provide information and support to people with dyslexia of all ages. We provide information and resources to people with dyslexia, enabling them to reach their full potential. We do this through our team of specialist advisors who guide people through the maze of finding the information they need and supporting them to access further resources.

Click here to read our constitution

Meet the Commitee

Marian McCormick is a Speech and Language Therapist.

She has an MSc. in Human Communication, specialising in the relationship between early speech development and emergent literacy skills, and is the author of several chapters in professional text books. She has presented her work at two international conferences run by the British Dyslexia Association. 

She is a programme director for a post graduate diploma in Speech & Language Therapy at Canterbury Christchurch University and also lectures to specialist teachers, and educational psychologists, working in the area of specific learning disability/ dyslexia.

Arlene Waddell BSc (Hons), MEd, PGCE, PGCert SpLD, Adv DipEd

BSc(Hons), Adv.Dip. Ed, MEd, PGCE, SpLD APC
Certificate & Register of Competence in Educational Testing,
Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties

I returned to education as a mature student, whilst raising my three children. On completion of my first degree in Psychology I undertook an Advanced Diploma in Special Educational Needs and a Masters degree in Education. Following a PGCE at Canterbury Christ Church University I joined East Court School, a specialist independent school for children with dyslexia and dyspraxia. Here I worked as
a Specialist teacher and Manager of the Junior Department. I also undertook diagnostic assessments as part of the school’s Educational and Psychological Assessment team. During this time I completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia and Literacy, with Dyslexia Action, and gained a Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing, validated by the British Psychological Society. More recently I have worked within the mainstream setting as an Inclusion Manager at a local primary school. I am currently the Chairperson of DEKS (Dyslexia East Kent Support) and have my own independent Dyslexia Advisory and Support Service. My role here involves a significant of amount of 1:1 and small group tuition for dyslexic individuals. I also undertake a range of diagnostic assessments for dyslexia from 7 yrs through to adult, to include assessment for DSA purposes, and Access to Work.

Clare  BSc; Cert Ed; Dip SpLD; AEPATOSS

Secretary

Clare is currently working at Canterbury College, in the Additional Support Team, supporting & assessing students with dyslexia.

Daryl Cert Ed. Dip Reading (OU)

Administrator

Daryl spent 12 years as a primary school teacher & 14 years as a peripatetic support teacher of children with special needs in Dover, Deal, Sandwich & surrounding villages. She then worked at East Court School for children with dyslexia for 10 years, teaching children from 8 - 12 years. She also taught in the Adult Literacy Scheme in Dover in the seventies. Daryl is now retired & enjoys finding out what is available to help people of all ages with dyslexia.

Jane - Hornsby Dip SpLD, RSA SpLD

Jane has 14 years experience of teaching literacy skills, to children and adults with specific learning difficulties.  She has lived abroad for many years and has taught in Saudi Arabia as well as independent schools in England.  She now teaches from home after school in the afternoons and has particular experience in teaching elementary Maths.

Kate – Specialist ( SpLD- Dyslexia BDI) HLTA

Treasurer and Social fund raiser.

I have been involved in working with dyslexic children aged between 7 and 14 for twelve years. My roles have been varied; initially in pastoral and social care, then onto educational support in specific subjects and teaching in others. This was carried out at East Court School, an independent school for children with dyslexia and dyspraxia. Approximately nine years ago, I developed a typing programme specifically for dyslexic children, and have taught it to the whole age range across the school. I currently work with children who have SpLD in a main stream school. I find it extremely rewarding working and supporting any children who have problems accessing their learning.

More coming soon for the rest of the commitee..........