• Marilyn is a graduate of the Open University, with an open BA Degree in Maths, Computing and Education Management.
• Having worked in the specialist sector for a number of years she obtained her Certificate in Education (Post-Compulsory) in 1994 from The University of Leicester.
• In 2010 Marilyn also qualified as an Adult Literacy Specialist, with a Level 5 Diploma for Adult Literacy Specialists from The University of Warwick.

The Further Education sector and the world of specialist education is an ever-changing, increasingly  competitive environment. Marilyn is passionate about keeping up with news and trends in order to support organisations to make the best possible decisions for their learners.

To understand how to effectively manage provision for learners with complex needs Marilyn believes that it is crucial to have the skills that practitioners themselves will need to provide quality programmes that make a difference. As well as developing her leadership skills, Marilyn’s own professional development over many years has focussed on maintaining the currency of these skills.

A snapshot of Marilyn’s skills, training and  professional development undertaken over the past 20 years

► High quality study programmes  and supported internships for specialist colleges- NATSPEC

► Strategic Issues Relating to Social Media – NATSPEC/Royal National College for the Blind

► Access to Functional Skills/Social Networking & Literacy teaching – NIACE

► Bid writing and funding – IDOX Solutions

► Child abuse and neglect – Beds County Council

► Change Management

► Inspection Nominee Training – Excellence in Learning

► Innovating Learning with Technology – NIACE

► Intermediate Excel

► Mentoring New & Trainee Teachers & Trainers – Excellence in Learning

► Introduction to Behaviour Management

► Technology for Success – LSIS

► Peer mentoring

► Inclusive Learning: New teaching/learning support qualifications for staff working with disabled learners – NIACE

► Management Strategies to improve the use of Learning Technologies – AoC Create

► Demonstrating Impact for Quality using RARPA and the Common Inspection Framework (CIF) – NIACE

► Time Management

► Foundation Learning

► Autism Awareness & teaching strategies – National Autistic Society

► MAYBO – Conflict Management

► Working with Pearls:  for learners with complex needs/multi-sensory impairments – Hirstwood Associates

► Promoting Diversity

► Conducting supervision & appraisal

► Writing effective risk assessments

► Sex and relationships for young people with disabilities

► Sexual Health & HIV Issues For People With Learning Disabilities – Beds sexual health services

► Introduction to the use of Makaton with Sexual Abuse  – Makaton Vocabulary Development Project

► Minspeak & Language, Living & Learning for Communication Aids

► MVDP Makaton Sign Language Course – Stages 1 & 2