About me
A specialist you can trust with your child's future
I combine specialist expertise with years of frontline school leadership to deliver assessments that are accurate, compassionate and genuinely useful.
My background
I am Claire Oyston, a Level 7 Specialist Dyslexia Assessor holding both the AMBDA (Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association) and APC (Assessment Practising Certificate) qualifications — the gold standard credentials required to conduct diagnostic assessments that are recognised by schools and examination boards across the UK.
Alongside my assessment practice, I work as an Assistant Headteacher with a specialism in SEND leadership and literacy intervention. This dual role means I understand not only how to identify dyslexia accurately, but also how schools think, what they need from a report, and how to translate a diagnosis into real, lasting support for a child.
I have worked with hundreds of children and young people across the North East, supporting families who were frustrated, confused or simply looking for answers. My assessments are thorough, evidence-based and always conducted with the child's wellbeing at the centre.
Qualified
AMBDA · APC · Level 7
Qualifications & credentials
AMBDA
Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association — the recognised professional qualification for specialist dyslexia assessors
APC
Assessment Practising Certificate — required to conduct and sign off diagnostic assessments accepted by schools and exam boards
Level 7 Specialist Assessor
Postgraduate-level qualification in specialist assessment of specific learning difficulties including dyslexia
SASC-Aligned Practice
All assessments follow the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee guidelines, ensuring reports are accepted nationally
Assistant Headteacher
Active school leadership role with specialism in SEND, literacy intervention, and inclusive education
My approach
I believe every child deserves to be understood. A diagnostic assessment is not just about identifying what is difficult — it is about revealing strengths, building confidence and giving families the language and evidence they need to advocate for their child. I take time with every family, explain every step of the process and write reports that are clear enough for parents to act on and detailed enough for schools to use.
Child-centred
Every session is paced to the child. I work to make the assessment experience calm, positive and free from pressure.
Evidence-based
I use only current, validated assessment tools approved by SASC — no outdated methods, no guesswork.
Practically focused
Reports are written to be used, not filed. Every recommendation is specific, actionable, and tailored to the individual.
What APC means for you
The APC (Approved Practitioner Certificate) is a professional accreditation awarded by the British Dyslexia Association. It confirms that I meet the current SASC standards for specialist assessment and am qualified to carry out full diagnostic dyslexia assessments.
Meets current SASC standards for specialist assessment
Qualified to carry out full diagnostic dyslexia assessments
Reports meet JCQ requirements for exam access arrangements
Maintains ongoing CPD to keep practice up to date
Uses current, validated assessment tools only
Follows professional and ethical guidelines for SpLD assessment
Ready to take the first step?
If you have questions about the assessment process or want to discuss whether an assessment is right for your child, I am happy to talk it through.