About our team
We are a multi-disciplinary team that has worked for years supporting learners and adults with additional needs as well as coaching parents and carers of neurodivergent learners and coaching neurodivergent and neurotypical adults to reach their goals in all areas of their life including their business and personal life. The majority of our team has lived experience of neurodivergence.
Our experience in additional needs includes autism, speech and language needs, demand avoidance, cerebral palsy, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, ADHD, mild, moderate and profound learning difficulties, physical disabilities, sensory processing needs, and other difficulties such as school refusal in addition to mental health-related needs such as anxiety and panic attacks.
Silja Turville
Neurodivergence and educational specialist and advocate, neurodiversity and business coach and mentor
Silja is a qualified counsellor and Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), adhering to their principles and standards of practice and an accredited International Coaching Federation accredited associate coach. Silja has experienced first-hand the shortages of provision and difficulties in obtaining funding for learners with additional needs and as well as working as a neurodivergence affirming therapist and coach.
Silja is experienced in working with ADHD, autism, demand avoidant profiles, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, sensory processing difficulties and speech, language and communication needs. Silja advises Talk Education regarding SEND and is the founder of our therapeutic programme for learners with additional needs.
Silja has diplomas in special educational needs support, counselling and coaching as well as education sector qualifications including mental health first aid, multi-agency safeguarding, safer recruitment training and training up to IPSEA Level 3 in SEND law. Silja has post-graduate qualifications in executive coaching and integrative counselling and psychotherapy. Silja undergoes professional supervision.
Silja is the designated safeguarding and mental health capacity officer for Acorn to Oak Education and can be contacted via email or on our main number with any questions or concerns. We operate a “niggles” approach so encourage all questions to be raised.
Amy Levi
Holistic therapist and supportive coach for carers, neurodivergence, life and business and experienced advocate for neurodivergent adults and children
Amy has an extensive commercial and entrepreneurial background stretching back 30 years, with more than half of that time undertaking roles supporting carers, people with chronic health conditions, dementia and a wide range of special educational needs.
Amy has a City and Guilds adult teaching qualification, multiple therapeutic qualifications, a Masters in Development Studies and is a Professional Member of the CThA.
Amy uses her holistic approach, incorporating her commercial, entrepreneurial and freelance experience along with a broad range of therapeutic techniques including mindfulness, stress management, and theatrical techniques to help each client become happier, healthier, more efficient and, therefore, more effective.
Amy is also our SEND advocacy lead professional and seeks to establish collaborative solutions with all stakeholders to enable SEND children and adults to receive the support and accommodations they need to thrive in their learning, work and life.
Email: sendadvocacylead@acorntooakeducation.org
Charlotte Orton
Researcher and team organiser
Charlotte is a key member of the Acorn to Oak Education team researching specialist and mainstream educational provision across the UK as well as helping identify appropriate candidates for our team search mandates.
Charlotte also organises and coordinates the team’s work, planning, priorities and administration arrangements in order to help ensure that clients receive the best care and input from our team.
Charlotte understands the challenges that parents and families face and is passionate about supporting learners and adults with specific learning profiles and additional learning and health needs to achieve everything that they are able to.
Amanda Lecomber Porter
Specialist advisory teacher, education programme leader, coach and educational advisor
Amanda has a wide-ranging specialist educational and teaching background including advisory teaching with expertise in additional learning needs as well as emotional and mental health. Amanda is a trained Nurture Group Practitioner and qualified Forest School Leader.
Amanda is a committee member at the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health special interest group for Neurodevelopmental Conditions. Amanda has a particular interest and expertise in ADHD.
Other special interests include:
Emotionally based school avoidance (school refusal), mental health and wellbeing, trauma and neuroscience, and complex emotional and behavioural needs/risk of exclusion.
Kristin Ramsey
Counsellor
Kristin is a qualified counsellor and Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), adhering to their principles and standards of practice.
Kristin offers counselling for individuals online, in Harley Street W1, London Bridge SE1, Hammersmith and Fulham SW6.
Counselling offers time and space to discuss your situation and take support. Kristin’s aim is to help you understand your experience as fully as possible, to help bring clarity to thoughts and feelings, and to create an environment for exploring positive change.
Kristin’s approach is based upon respect, non-judgement and strict confidentiality, forming a safe foundation for therapy. Kristin’s clients often feedback they feel heard and understood and the warm, collaborative space Kristin provides helps clients address challenges, heal, and make more satisfying decisions in their lives.
Email: counselling@acorntooakeducation.org to book an appointment.
Michael Rawlinson
Coaching for life and work
Michael has extensive business leadership and management experience and has worked in the commercial and not for profit sectors over his 40+ years of work.
Michael has been responsible for leading teams in large and small organisations where he has contributed to strategy and business development as well as being responsible for coaching and mentoring colleagues as needed.
Michael is working to establish a specialist therapeutic programme for learners with speech, language and communication needs and is aware of the challenges faced by neurodiverse learners and their parents.
Michael has completed the Chartered Management Institute’s level 7 Management & Leadership Diploma.
Tanya Jamil
Educational programme leader
Tanya is a highly experienced educational consultant and parent coach supporting learners with additional needs and disabilities to achieve outcomes beyond expectations. Tanya was the founding headteacher of a successful specialist school in London for learners with complex learning and physical needs that she led for over 9 years and left to found an educational consultancy supporting learners with complex educational needs. Tanya oversees the educational and therapy programmes to ensure that they allow each learner to thrive in their life, learning, and wellbeing.