About Us

With over 26 years’ experience working in an educational environment, Paula brings a wealth of experience to the Toucan team. Specialising in Autistic Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Moderate Learning Difficulties and Social, Emotional and Mental Health, she particularly enjoys using Play

Therapy to help younger children tackle learning difficulties, reinforcing positive behaviour and teaching coping and calming strategies.

“Teaching is the best job in the world and being part of the team at Toucan Education is an absolute pleasure. Focused on the same journey, we all work together to equip these children with the tools they need to develop confidence and build an ‘all possibilities await them’ mentality.”

Darren is a Physiotherapist with over 22 years experience working for the NHS within the musculoskeletal outpatient field. During his tenure he managed a busy department utilising his specialist knowledge in areas including Orthopaedics, chronic pain, sports injuries as well as rehabilitation. He also has over 10 years experience in Occupational health, private practice and worked within HMPS.

I have 9 years experience of working with children in the early years sector, I have been the manager of a nursery and bringing my knowledge to Toucan! I have a diploma in childcare learning and development and I have now joined Toucan Education hoping to further my knowledge and training to support school aged children in their learning and supporting them where I can.

“I have always enjoyed caring for children from a young age and since joining Toucan Education it’s amazing to see the children’s progress in their learning and confidence”

Abigail worked as a class teacher in a primary school before becoming a specialist dyslexia teacher and assessor. Abigail is AMBDA (Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association) registered and is able to assess for Dyslexia. Abigail is currently studying to become a specialist teacher of mathematics and assessor for dyscalculia.

“As Albus Dumbledore said, ‘Words are our most inexhaustible source of magic.’ I am determined to help all children to experience the magic of words through both reading and writing. When working with children who have become disheartened by literacy difficulties, my aim is to use games and fun to build confidence alongside their literacy skills. It is a truly rewarding job which I am lucky to do.”

School’s Out – When she isn’t reading or walking on the beach, Abigail will be dancing.  She currently teaches an adult tap class, and attends ballet lessons.   

Anna has extensive experience working with children with a wide range of speech, language, and communicaCon needs (SLCN). She has worked in a special school seVng for over 8 years, assessing and delivering therapy to children with complex addiConal needs. She has also worked for the NHS where she ran a speech and sound awareness clinic. Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and AssociaCon of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent PracCce (ASLTIP) registered, she is also currently working on gaining a Level 5 CerCficate in Dyslexia: Literacy, Support and IntervenCon with the BriCsh Dyslexia AssociaCon.

“I am very passionate about working with children with SLCN, to help them reach their communica>on poten>al but also improve their and their family’s quality of life. I understand the importance of sharing knowledge with the whole team around the child, including suppor>ng schools. I also have an enthusiasm for training others and am a licenced ELKLAN tutor”.

Schools Out – The great outdoors is another passion of Anna’s. At the weekends you’ll find her enjoying a hike or cycle or even paddle boarding at the beach – if it’s warm enough!

Having worked with autistic people and people with learning disabilities for all of her adult life, and having dreamed of being an occupational therapist since the age of 14, Alison finally took the plunge and returned to university as a mature student in her mid 30’s and made that dream a reality. Her passion has always centred around neurodivergent differences, and more recently the impact of the 8 sensory systems on development, attachment, early trauma/adverse childhood experiences, vice-versa, and the overall impact all of this can have on activities of daily living, behaviour and educational attainment. Having completed a post graduate certificate in Sensory Integration, Alison is able to assess sensory integration/processing difficulties, and provide both sensory based interventions and sensory attachment interventions.

“I’ve always been interested in childhood development, completing my first degree in Early Childhood Studies, as a fresh faced 18 year old. My dissertation at the time centred around the difficulties of children with SEN in mainstream primary school, and I followed this up with a dissertation on sensory-motor and handwriting difficulties in mainstream primary school children, when completing my degree in Occupational Therapy. I really enjoy exploring the underpinning skills needed in activities of daily living and working with children to help them achieve mastery and efficacy when they’ve faced adversity.”

Schools Out – Alison’s ‘happy place’ is the coast where you will find her enjoying a cold water dip in the north sea or collecting the treasures our tides bring to shore, namely sea glass and unusual shaped pebbles.

With over 10 years’ experience across all education sectors Jean specialises in dyslexia and access arrangement assessment for school and university students. She also provides one to one specialist study tutorials focused on developing reading and writing skills around preferred learning style, exam and revision strategies and developing organisation skills. AMBDA registered and holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia within the School Setting.

“I love being able to explain what dyslexia means to the individual and help them open the door that will lead to reaching their full potential. I’m never without my Critical Thinking handout, my one stop shop for describing, analysing and evaluating any piece of information. It’s the first thing I give to all my students.”

Schools Out – Watch out for Jean’s dance moves as her daughter’s love of Korean boyband BTS dance videos is catching! You’ll find her dancing around her kitchen after school, whilst making the tea.

Lynne has been teaching in Primary Schools for over 25 years and in that time has experience of teaching across the age ranges from Nursery to Year 6. She has been a class teacher , as well as learning support teacher working one to one and with small groups . She has also supported many children with ASD and speech and language difficulties.

“I have always strived to go the extra mile to support those children who find reading , writing difficult or maybe struggle with social skills . To develop their self confidence is key and the job satisfaction for example of helping a reluctant reader on their journey to becoming an enthusiastic reader, is priceless.”

Schools Out – Lynne enjoys up cycling furniture , reading, walking and catching up with friends, often involving tea and cake!

Nicky started her career as a Sound Engineer working in live music, theatre and then national broadcast television. She worked on ITV’s This Morning show for 8 years as well as freelancing on programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing and the Children in Need Show. During her time in London she became involved with various Arts and Literacy schemes working with children in inner city schools. On returning to her native Northeast after starting her family, Nicky was offered the opportunity to Project Manage the design and installation of a multimedia learning space in a local SEN school. She went on to Manage the Media Arts Studio there for 11 years working with children with a range of SEND & SEMH aged from reception up to sixth form. Nicky wrote and delivered STE(A)M schemes of creative and cross curricular learning using animation, photography, filmmaking, coding, and robotics etc. The Media Studio facilities were accessible to the local partnership of schools and the wider community and so Nicky also delivered workshops to many schools across Northumberland as well as CPD and training for staff.

“As I’m dyslexic myself, and from a very neurodiverse family, I quickly realised how well the children responded to this type of learning. I loved watching young people grow in confidence and how proud they were of their achievements. I feel creativity and fun is vital to getting children thinking and learning.”

Nicky has had training to support children with ASD, ADHD, SpLDs in various ways and worked 1 to 1 with children who were having various problems accessing or engaging with learning in the classroom. She is a trained Lego Therapist and Arts Award Advisor and was a licenced Thrive Practitioner. She is always interested in multisensory and creative learning methods.
In her spare time Nicky loves reading, creating art and craft using a variety of mediums, including photography, writing (mostly science fiction and poetry). For relaxation she enjoys practising spinning poi and juggling flower sticks.
She loves to help in her local community providing workshops and organising family events and has recently started her own company ‘Thinky Dinky Do’ which aims to get children having fun while thinking and doing.

Liam is our Operations Director and part owner of Toucan Education. He comes from 20+years of working in commercial roles for global Blue Chip companies and also smaller family run businesses. Having moved over at the start of 2022 to work full-time helping to develop Toucan and also further support the team with his technical and commercial experience.

“Philippa’s (our CEO) passion for helping children through her business Toucan Education has been infectious, although I’m not an educator myself I thought my business experience over the years would really be able to help Philippa and her team fulfil their goals of helping children and families in the North East”

Schools Out – Liam is a keen traveller, whenever possible he’s making plans for his wife and son to visit far flung destinations with him. He’s also an avid Formula One racing fan, having been to several races in person, but more often watching the television coverage. For exercise he’s recently rekindled a passion for playing badminton, but still re-finding his skills from his younger years!