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. 

Archie painting circles

Your journey is as unique as you are.

  1. 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’.

ACCPH Logo senior member
ADHD-CCP Badge

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-opLocal 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
Hands on science
experimental:
using vibrational sound therapy

Client Testimonials

Student study of Hundertwasser using print

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!

Bev Testimonial

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

My heading is awesome

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

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 a Master of Science in Psychological Research Methods (Distinction) from Birkbeck University of London. Dr. Gow’s under-graduate Psychology degree was awarded First Class with Honors from the University of Kingston, London, accredited also by the British Psychological Society. Collectively, 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 a non-for-profit organization called 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 focused on the Creative Arts and Music. Nutritious Minds organizes community events and workshops on Nutrition, Fitness and Mental-Health and provides a motivational platform for individuals to talk about their collective experiences living with diagnostic labels as well as sharing inspiration and the tools which enabled them to overcome tumultuous obstacles in their lives.

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