About Us

The Learning Support Academy is owned and managed by a close team of disability and education professionals, underpinned by subject matter specialists who contribute to course design and content. With decades of combined experience in education, student and workplace support, we are on hand to ensure you receive the maximum benefit from your course and to answer any questions you may have along the journey.

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Meet the Team

Director

Donna Welburn

Donna has over 18 years of experience of working in the education sector in a range of challenging environments. She has extensive knowledge of managing support services, with expertise in quality, safeguarding, HR and other governance.

Donna heads up operations and programme delivery for the Learning Support Academy and has successfully run our accredited courses for a number of years.

Managing Director

Laura Cook

Laura is the founder and Managing Director of The Learning Support Centre and Learning Support Academy. She started her career in the education and disability sector as a support worker over 20 years ago. Laura has volunteered as a trustee for Citizens Advice Bureau and The Association of Non Medical Help Providers, of which she was chair for six years.

Laura was a SEND Governor for four years and also delivered SEND Governor training to trainee Governors for Leicestershire County Council. Laura is passionate about high quality training and support for neurodivergent and disabled people in education and the workplace.

Director

Chris Collier

Chris is a former secondary English teacher, study skills tutor and needs assessor. He has over 15 years’ experience of leading assessment services and managing Assistive Technology (AT) and support providers. He has been a British Assistive Technology Association (BATA) Council member and vice-chair of the Association of Non-Medical Help Providers.

Chris is a Level 7 accredited workplace coach and has in-depth knowledge of integrating assistive technology into inclusive practice and maximising the benefits of the technology for clients.