Catherine Stoner, BSc, PGCE, MEd
Private Advisor in Learning & Development
Professional Overview
Catherine is a Qualified Teacher (QTS) with a Master’s in Special Educational Needs and Inclusion. Her background spans over 16 years in education, with roles ranging from an inner-London secondary school teacher and Head of Department, to Special Needs teaching at a Swiss International School.
Today, alongside private practice, Catherine is a university lecturer, leading a PGCE programme for trainee teachers. She works with dozens of schools across South-West London & surrounds, training new and experienced teachers. Her lecturing covers a wide range topics, such as adolescent development, learning & memory, and behaviour and is built on the latest educational research and how theories interact with the realities of learning.
My Passion & Approach
Too often, I’ve seen standard school interventions focus only on grades or labels, overlooking the unique way an individual child actually learns, and all the factors that influence learning. I’ve also seen overemphasis on accommodations, undermining just how much children are capable of. A SEND diagnosis or past struggles can even become part of a child’s identity, leaving them and their parents feeling powerless.
I’ve also seen the opposite: when a learner understands how they learn best and refines the right strategies, their confidence and progress can transform. My professional passion lies in identifying the factors influencing these two outcomes and enabling learners to effectively harness strategies that really work for them.
This is what led me to create my private practice: a dedicated space with expert guidance, where learners can identify and understand their unique ways of learning and establish ownership of their education. My work blends classroom expertise with research insight, giving young people the tools to thrive in school, university, and beyond