About Coast Education
We are a family run business with an educational background.
Val taught in the same school in Brighton for over 31 years before taking on a support role with Coast Education. As well as a deputy head role, she was also the special needs coordinator.
Denise taught in both primary and secondary settings before becoming an assessor. She holds an Assessment Practising Certificate (Patoss and SASC registers) and carries out all diagnostic assessments for dyslexia, as well as screenings for ADHD and Dyspraxia/DCD. She holds a Masters Degree in Education, as well as a BA(Hons) with qualified teacher status.
Georgia has extensive experience working with adults and children who have disabilities. She recently gained her degree (Bournemouth) and is the remote screenings assessor.
We are all very experienced and passionate about the assessments we carry out, as we know first-hand what a big difference they make. Children and adults we assess get the support they need. We have seen this improvement in achievement and self-esteem over and over for both adults and children.
Our diagnostic assessment reports have been highly commended by Patoss. They go above and beyond to identify individual needs and give tailored and extensive recommendations. Once you have had your assessment at Coast Education, we are always here for you.
Email from client on 24th April 2025
'Hi Denise Your report is incredible... many thanks again. It has been great to get answers...and we can finally get the support our daughter needs.'
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Denise Hawkes APC
Denise is a very experienced Assessor of Specific Learning Difficulties, including Dyslexia. In 1992, she discovered one of her children had dyslexia. She has been a specialist teacher and assessor since 2001.
Qualifications
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BA (Hon's) Education (University of Brighton)
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Qualified Teacher Status
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Post Graduate Certificate in Literacy Difficulties
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Post Graduate Diploma in Behaviour and Schools
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Master of Arts Degree (MA) Special Needs Education (OU)
Experience
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Specialist Teacher, Students with Specific Learning Difficulties, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Working Memory Limitations.
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Disabled Students' Allowance Study Skills Non-Medical Helper
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Assessor of Dyslexia, Dyscalculia
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and Sp.LDs, Exam Access Arrangements (Form 8)
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Teaching and Assessing in Local Schools.
Certifications
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Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) 2023
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Assessment Practising Certificate Patoss (APC, due for renewal in 2027)
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Enhanced DBS (The Dyslexia Association 2023, ongoing online live)
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Member of Patoss
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Assessment Practising Certificate can be viewed on the SASC Website.
Certificates are important: that is why all the children Denise assesses get a special certificate with lots of amazing smelly and glowing stickers!
Qualifications may be verified on the Patoss Register.
Denise Hawkes, Coast Education and Coast Dyslexia are registered Data Controllers. in accordance with the Data Protection Act
Testimonials: a small selection
We have lots more testimonials! I think the best testimony though is that we get lots of recommendations and referrals. Coast Education reports go a step further, and we are determined to help all students, children and parents find a way forward. Sometimes this means guiding the school with more supportive measures, sometimes it means we recommend an application for an EHCP. Whatever it takes, you have come to us for help, and it is our mission to provide that help.
October 2025
After having an excellent dyslexia assessment, we decided to have the dyscalculia screener for our son who is 9 and struggling with all aspects of maths. Thank you to Georgia for an excellent report. We have begun using the recommendations at school and he is happier already with maths. His confidence just seems to have rocketed!
I wish we had done this sooner but better late than never I suppose. Kind Regards, Anne (by card)
24th April 2025
Hi Denise, your report is incredible!! Thank you! Many thanks again, it has been great to get answers, and we can finally get the support that our daughter needs. Mrs S
6th September 2024
I am a student doctor. I am writing to share my experience at Coast Education. I received a diagnosis of Dyslexia very soon after my assessment and it has been life changing. Not only, in the aspect of getting me the help and support, but it has allowed me to understand better how I learn, and adapt my methods of learning to learning styles that work for me. I have now achieved a place to study medicine, and will fulfil my dream of becoming a Doctor. It was not without the exceptional support and service that I received at Coast Education, that this could have been possible. I will be sincerely grateful for the rest of my life and career for the help and guidance I received. Thank you Denise for showing me kindness and patience when I needed it most. Kind Regards, Miss N (by email).
2nd September 2023
After low mocks results and years worth of struggling in learning and battles around my daughter needing extra time and a different approach, we decided to enquire about a dyslexia assessment, despite the obvious signs of dyslexia not b6th eing present. Denise was helpful, friendly and supportive and the assessment at Coast Education was worth every penny. Following the assessment, she gave immediate feedback advising us to narrow my daughter's revision to the most key subjects and ones that mattered most to her. Taking a strategic approach paid off. My daughter began to get more positive feedback and her motivation went up as she could see she was making progress. Thanks to Denise's guidance which gave us the confidence to try something different, we now also have the information we need to support her at college, with a greater knowledge of how to maximise her learning and build on her recent achievements at GCSE. Thanks so much, from a happy parent and daughter!
(Coast Education are pleased to report that this amazing young lady gained 6 very good GCSE passes!)
4th February 2022
'Hi Denise,
We always recommend you and the families you have worked with have always been so pleased with your work - so thank you!,
Mrs A. Cornish, Assistant Headteacher - Inclusion,
New Horizons Seaside Primary
18/08/16 by email.
Assessment for dyslexia and dyscalculia for school / parents.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Denise. Her reports are affirming, readable, full of practical advice and excellent value for money.'
Rachel Copeland
Head of Learning Skills
Rose Hill Independent School
Kent
'The assessment experience:
The process was extremely smooth, clear and easy to understand from setting up the appointment to attending it. My son was made to feel extremely comfortable and although the assessment was long, he came away feeling positive knowing that Denise would do her absolute best to help him. We are very grateful to Denise for her positive support - it is such a refreshing change.
The assessment report:
The report was extremely helpful and identified clearly the issues that needed to be addressed and how to move forward.
The forms provided:
the forms were helpful and Denise went out of her way to provide all the tools needed to apply for the relevant help.''
Mrs C and son.
'As parents we feel Denise has made a huge difference to 'Chloe's' confidence and has helped her find strategies for the future. During SAT's, Denise was able to work on exam strategies and support me negotiating appropriate Access Arrangements.'
Mrs A
"When I had to do writing I got stuck and didn't know where to start. Now I know how to plan writing and I am telling my friends what to do too!" Thanks Denise"
Matt (Age 11)
"I dropped my daughter off for her assessment and she enjoyed it a lot. We found out she has moderate dyslexia and it is such a relief. The school has been helpful and started putting Denise's recommendations in place. We have started playing some of the games at home she suggested to help 'Sofia' with spellings. Now she looks forward to getting her weekly spelling list and I still can't quite believe it!"
Mr Tomlinson
17th August 2021
(From a parent whose daughter is performing within an average band at school, but whose measured IQ I found to be above average, with underlying phonological processing weakness. She is a well compensated dyslexic, and performance is therefore below expectations!)
Hi Denise,
Thank you so much for J's report, it is amazingly thorough! It is great to have my suspicions confirmed and be able to move forward being able to target J's support.
Thank you so much for all your help,
B
'Thank you to Mrs C and son for the surprise cakes! I did wonder what I was signing for when the postman arrived with the big white box! Yum!'
