Lorraine Carson Independent Educational Psychologist

27/05/2026

21/05/2026

A very sorry state of affairs.

“This raises serious questions about how decisions are being made in the first place and the needless pressure being placed on children and parents who are already struggling to secure the support they need."

Questions are being raised as it has been revealed the Education Authority (EA) is conceding or losing the majority of special educational needs appeals brought by parents. The number of families challenging decisions has surged by 50%.

Read more: https://tinyurl.com/mtwzwr6a

21/05/2026

As we are coming towards the end of the school year, this is such a great message for our children from Rachel Marie Martin:

Dear kids. You are not a number.
The world will try to assign numbers to you
scores, grades, potential
but you are so much more than any number.
Numbers miss your kindness, your creativity,
your empathy, your heart.
You are never a number,
but rather, always remember, you are priceless.

18/05/2026

Just a little reminder that the SEAG application process opens today.

The SEAG 2026 Entrance Assessment is for pupils who will be transferring from primary to post primary education in September 2027 and whose parents may be considering a place at a SEAG school for their child. The Registration Period for the 2026 Entrance Assessment is plaaned to run from Monday 18th...

10/05/2026

"Working memory is the most challenging part of dyslexia. Unless an expert tells you it’s an actual problem, you just internalize it as being forgetful. Understanding my profile changed everything, from how I take notes to how I use audio-visual tools."
Jamie Wace

Listen to the full podcast episode of Dyslexia Explored for more: https://youtu.be/hQBwup7EIOw

08/05/2026

Dying Matters Week is a campaign led by Hospice UK and is running until May 11.

We're highlighting the booklet Supporting Children and Young People through Grief and Bereavement. This is a document produced by the regional Trust Bereavement Coordinators supports parents and carers to help navigate children through grief.

It aims to:
• Explain how children and young people may grieve at different ages
• Offer advice on how to talk to children about death
• Support families in helping children say goodbye, attend funerals and make important decisions
• Advise on how to respond to children and young people's feelings, their behaviors and answer questions
• Provide memory making ideas
• Signpost to further bereavement resources.

Click for more information https://hscni.pulse.ly/5brnsyj4ie

07/05/2026

If you are awaiting the outcome of your child’s Post Primary application, you will receive notification this Saturday, 9 May.

Parents who applied for their child's transfer from Junior to Senior High School under the Dickson Plan (14+), will receive notification of their outcomes on the same date.

If you applied online or provided an email address on your paper application, you will receive an email from EA.

Paper applicants who did not provide an email address, will receive a letter to their home address.

Parents who have a child with a Statement of Special Educational Needs awaiting placement will be updated by their SEN link officer when a placement has been secured. This process may take a little longer as we work to find the best placement for your child’s needs.

👉 For further information, please visit: https://ow.ly/jBK950VKjJb

07/05/2026

Today I want to share a big thank you and an exciting welcome!

Firstly, I want to sincerely thank Wendy for her hard work, dedication, organisation, and support over the past 15 months. Your contribution has meant so much, and I truly appreciate everything you’ve done to help keep things running smoothly. Wishing you every success and happiness in your next chapter.

At the same time, I’m delighted to welcome Moyna as my new Administrative Assistant. I’m delighted to have you on board and look forward to working together.