Handwriting
Dear Amanda
Thankyou very much for teaching me to read, write and spell. Also, for helping me with my handwriting I hope you have a happy christmas. Love Josh
A handwritten card : December 2007
We feel so privileged and grateful for everything that you have done for Josh over the past few years. We have no doubt that he would still be struggling at school if it wasn’t for your exceptional teaching.
On a personal level, I will miss your excellent ‘input’ and guidance for me as a parent re. how to help our son. We sincerely wish you every success with your business and happiness in the future. We will keep in touch.
A personal letter: December 2007
Touch Typing
Dear Amanda
Thankyou for teaching me typing
from Dom
A handwritten card: December 2007
Last Christmas I managed to drag my very reluctant dyslexic and dyspraxic 13 year old son to a typing lesson with Amanda. I don’t know how she does it, but from the first lesson he loved her and enjoyed the lessons. More importantly he happily took on her (very tactfully put) criticisms and did the required practice week by week. A particular problem for him at school is to set down what he knows in logical and detailed sentences, and just half a dozen “creative typing” lessons with Amanda have resulted in him being able to express himself well, and more easily than he can by writing. Now, two terms later, he types well enough for his homework and coursework and will probably type for his essay based GCSE papers.
From a parent: September 2007
...as I mentioned she specialises in helping children with dyslexia and dyspraxia as well as teaching typing. Peter had to be dragged by the collar to see her the first time, but she has a way with them and he really enjoyed going to her after that. More to the point he can type acceptably now too! She’s also very good on feedback and, more often than not, I’d get a phonecall after his lesson to discuss his progress and any little pointers to remind him about.
An excerpt from an email: August 2007
Literacy - Beginner Readers
Mrs McLeod was fantastic at focusing our attention on our daughter's strengths. Parents were often called in to hear about what their daughter was doing well. That was always a tremendous boost to our daughter's self-esteem. Any area that needed attention was always approached professionally, and gently. Much to Mrs. McLeod's credit, x has grown as much emotionally, as she has academically.
We feel very fortunate that our daughter's first 'school experience' has been so incredible. Every child should be so lucky. We thank you very much.
From a parent to a headmistress: July 2005
Literacy - GCSE
Telephone references available
Literacy - Study Skills
Telephone references available
When Ms. McLeod began teaching J, his knowledge of phonics and the skills required to decode print were almost non-existent and he was almost one year behind the national average in terms of achievement. Amanda has systematically taught J all of the rules and skills necessary to break down words, showing an awareness of J's interests to motivate him and an ability to quickly identify if a particular teaching strategy is not appropriate for J, therefore making changes accordingly. Her extremely structured approach to teaching ensures that J does not ever become bored and he is always clear regarding Amanda's expectations and learning objectives. She is able to sustain his concentration throughout the one to one teaching period. Following a consultation at J's school recently, his teachers have assessed him as currently working at slightly above the national average. He has therefore made significant progress over the last year and a half. We are in no doubt that this is largely due to the outstanding teaching ability of Ms. McLeod. Her lessons are always planned and delivered to an extremely high standard with a good balance of fun as well as significant learning for the child. Ms. McLeod is highly professional and has always maintained a regular dialogue with us as parents throughout the past 18 months. Through this process Amanda has guided us as to how we can best help our son at home.
A Letter from the Head of a London Nursery School : December 2006
I met Amanda when she was my daughter’s form teacher at Queen's Gate School, London. She proved to be an immensely talented teacher. My daughter improved dramatically that school year, both academically and in terms of maturation.
Amanda has the gift of making learning fun, whilst being tough at the same time. Children naturally love and respect her.
The following year, I had the opportunity to see her work with my daughter again: this time as a private specialist tutor. My daughter was a slow learner and Amanda put her on the Dyslexia Institute Literacy Programme. I found out that Amanda is extremely up to date with this very delicate form of tuition. Again, the improvement was tremendous.
Amanda also taught x to write in a cursive script and her handwriting has become clearer, smaller, neater and joined up.
Amanda takes her profession very seriously and, above all, she enjoys it very much. I am sure every child lucky enough to be taught by Mrs. McLeod will benefit from her teaching, whatever his or her circumstances or needs. Unfortunately, we have moved abroad and x and I miss her already very much. We wish Mrs McLeod the very best for her future.
From a parent: July 2006
Dyspraxia
She has made tremendous progress in every aspect of school life.
Amanda has played an invaluable part in x's life this year, her dedication and sensitivity have been exemplary. She has been flexible enough to manage changing day-to-day requirements without losing sight of x's IEP targets, and monitoring development throughout.
She has worked with x's therapists and adapted herself, frequently at great inconvenience to herself but always for x's benefit. The difference in x is visible. His/Her cursive writing is better than we could have hoped for and he/she has the confidence to attempt difficult tasks.
From a parent: September 2006
I have no hesitation about recommending Mrs Amanda McLeod. She is an experienced and qualified classroom teacher and also experienced and qualified to work with individuals for literacy, handwriting and touch typing.
She is experienced at working with dyslexic and dyspraxic children and is also familiar in working in close cooperation with parents. She is reliable, honest and highly trustworthy.
From a colleague: October2007