The Springvale Independent School Team

Elaine Kruse MBE FRSA
Elaine Kruse is founder and Principal of Springvale, Elaine is a pioneer of Dyslexia with over 20 years experience in the field. Elaine´s many accomplishments include ground breaking projects that enable young people to reach their potential in academia and the work place. Elaine speaks internationally at conferences about her work. She has designed assistive technology products for children and adults with Dyslexia that help children all over the world succeed in education. Elaine received an MBE for "Services to people with Dyslexia" in 2007. Elaine has overcome her own battle with dyslexia.

Kath Altham B.A., P.G.C.E.
Kath Altham is Vice Principal of Springfield Independent School. She has had a long career in education mainly in the state system, although recently she has been working with adults with Dyslexia. She has mainly taught History, Religious Education and Personal and Social Education. Kath has fulfilled roles of responsibility including Head of Subject, Head of Humanities, Senior Pastoral Teacher and Acting Deputy Head. Children in her care always achieved excellent examination results. Her varied experience has included working with children of all abilities. Kath´s underlying philosophy has always been that all children have special educational needs and she believes that it is the job of the professional to uncover and meet those needs, thus enabling the child to flourish and succeed.

Philip Higson
Philip Higson is Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) of Springvale Independent School. He is a Dyslexia specialist, both as an assessor, Dyslexia tutor and a trainer of Dyslexia teachers with many years of experience. Philip will also be responsible for the delivery of Science and Technology, which he is well equipped to do due to his many years in industry before he retrained as a Dyslexia specialist.

Angel Kershaw
Angel is a multi-disciplined professional artist and an experienced Special Needs Tutor (dyslexia). She has previously worked on a number of art projects with children from deprived backgrounds, and children and young people with special needs. One of these projects resulted in a much-praised art exhibition held at the prestigious Camberwell College of Art in London. Other projects have included drama workshops and productions, and music creation and performance. Angel also has several years experience as a dyslexia tutor.

Shirley Palmer
Shirley Palmer has been a music teacher for twenty years. This includes five years with Yamaha Music and five years as a music teacher in a Dyslexia centre for children.

Sabine de Kamps
Sabine de Kamps is a Dyslexia Tutor and Assistive Technology Specialist. In addition, she is an expert in E-Learning and experienced teacher of German as a foreign language. Sabine will be responsible for teaching German and Information and Communication Technology.