DITTAS Training
ABOUT SARAH
About Sarah Beard, Dittas Training
Sarah Beard is a dyslexia specialist assessor, tutor and trainer with over 30 years’ experience working in the field of Specific Learning Difficulties. She is the founder of DITTAS Training, where she provides training, mentoring and continuing professional development for dyslexia assessors, specialist teachers and tutors across the UK.
Alongside her professional experience, Sarah also brings lived experience of dyslexia and neurodiversity within both family and educational settings. This has given her a deep understanding of the emotional impact that learning differences can have, not only on children and adults with dyslexia, but also on the professionals supporting them.
Her approach to training is shaped not only by professional
experience, but also by an understanding of the real challenges faced by individuals with dyslexia, their families and the professionals supporting them. This gives her training a practical and realistic focus, closely linked to everyday assessment and teaching practice.
Sarah began her career as a specialist dyslexia tutor in 1996 before moving into
assessment and training. Over the years she has worked within independent schools and further education colleges, alongside building and running successfulbusinesses within the field of dyslexia support and training.
She has supported children, young people and adults with a wide range of learning profiles, alongside working with families, schools and professionals across different educational settings.
Between 2005 and 2020, Sarah delivered accredited Level 5 and Level 7 OCR training courses, training over 200 teachers and teaching assistants to become specialist dyslexia tutors and assessors. She was also co-founder of the PAPAA course with Caroline Read, which trained more than 300 teachers and teaching assistants to become qualified Exam Access Arrangements Assessors.
Sarah is passionate about helping professionals feel confident and supported within their roles. Through DITTAS Training, she now provides practical CPD, mentoring and professional support for both newly qualified and experienced assessors.
Training, Mentoring and Professional Support
DITTAS Training was created to provide practical, supportive and accessible
professional development for dyslexia assessors and specialist teachers.
Sarah’s training is firmly grounded in real-life assessment work and focuses on helping professionals bridge the gap between theory and everyday practice. Her courses and mentoring are designed to support assessors in developing confidence in areas such as report writing, diagnostic decision making, assessment interpretation and professional judgement.
Training is available through live webinars, on-demand CPD courses, mentoring sessions and the DITTAS Mastermind Membership.
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Mentoring for APC and New Assessors
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Sarah provides mentoring and support for assessors working towards APC
submission and renewal, as well as for new assessors developing confidence in assessment practice and report writing. She also supports professionals returning to assessment work after a break.
Sarah understands that APC submission, renewal, and the early stages of working as an assessor can sometimes feel overwhelming, particularly for professionals working independently. Her mentoring aims to provide practical guidance, reassurance, and professional confidence within a supportive environment.
DITTAS Mastermind Membership
The DITTAS Mastermind Membership was developed to provide dyslexia assessors and specialist teachers with ongoing support, community and continuing professional development.
The membership includes regular live training, opportunities for discussion and professional support, access to recordings and ongoing updates linked to current guidance and practice.
Sarah created the membership to give assessors a professional home where they can continue developing their skills, ask questions openly and feel supported throughout their careers.
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DITTAS Training also offers a growing range of on-demand CPD courses designed to fit around busy professional and family life.
Courses focus on practical application and current assessment practice, including diagnostic assessment, report writing, intervention approaches, the Delphi Definition of Dyslexia (2025) and working as an independent assessor.
The aim is to provide training that professionals can apply immediately within their own work while continuing to build long-term confidence and expertise.
Our Services
​Alongside her training work, Sarah is also the founder of Dyslexia Solutions Online, an online tutoring agency providing specialist dyslexia tuition for children, young people and adults across the UK.
She also continues to carry out dyslexia and dyscalculia assessments, as well as Exam Access Arrangements assessments, working directly with families, schools and students both remotely and in person.
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Whether you are just starting out, preparing for APC, returning to assessment work, or simply looking for some professional guidance and reassurance, support is available. Sarah believes that assessors should feel encouraged, supported, and confident in their skills and decision-making. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your situation further, please do get in touch.
On Demand CPD Courses
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.
