In 2004, three educational psychologists created Real Group to make a real difference to young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Our mission today is to transform lives and societies by providing outstanding and inclusive professional development. Our values are inclusivity, integrity, positivity, curiosity, growth and sustainability.
Already globally recognised as being at the vanguard of our sector, we aim to expand further the professional development offered by Real Training and Dyslexia Action to become industry-leading examples of professional development utilising our innovative fusion of psychology, education and technology expertise.
Our group of companies strive for a world where effective and sustainable professional development is accessible to all professionals.
Real Group Companies
We’re the UK’s leading provider of training in educational testing and professional assessment. Our courses are taught by senior practising psychologists with real expertise. We deliver the best thinking, teaching and practice using the latest online learning technologies (Campus Online™).
Our experienced educational psychologists (EPs) deliver innovative and accessible educational psychology services across the UK and the globe. Our principal and senior EPs work with parents, schools and organisations to help each child fulfil their potential.
Our expert programmers deliver e-learning platforms that are the technical heart of Real Group’s courses. Our leading-edge technology enables education professionals to learn anywhere. We bring the virtual campus to our clients, so that they can learn wherever they choose.
Our innovative online courses strengthen the expertise and confidence of education professionals who support students with literacy difficulties, dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (SpLDs).
As we’re an open membership group, we welcome all professionals with an interest in dyslexia/SpLD. We offer discussion, information and best practice in the field and an array of member resources. We are also a SASC-approved assessment practising certification body.
Our shop was established in November 1995. We offer a range of carefully selected products that provide educators and the public with the best resources to improve outcomes. Our team is based in Real Group’s Canterbury offices.
Awards
News
November 4, 2020
The Professional Tutoring Partnership (PTP) has been appointed to deliver dedicated tuition to over 4,500 disadvantaged children. This partnership brings together extensive experience in the education of pupils with special educational needs. The Professional Tutoring Partnership is run by Real Group Ltd in collaboration with Patoss, the British Dyslexia Association, Dyslexia Action, The Dyslexia Guild […]
May 10, 2019
Real Group’s Gill Cochrane (Specialist teacher) and Celia McKiernan (Art Therapist) have been representing Real Group on an Erasmus Plus funded European Project, POPULART (2017-2019). One of several European partners, Real Group has had the role of developing a training methodology which combines art-based learning within the Popular University tradition of adult education. The model […]
January 17, 2019
We have recently heard from the Department for Education (DfE) that there may potentially be further funding available for places on our National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) in March. To allow you and your colleagues to take advantage of this funding opportunity we have added a new cohort for March. The cohort will start on 31 March but to be […]
How we work
Our network of talented and expert individuals is led by a team of experienced psychologists and senior managers. We have a wealth of experience in the analysis and optimisation of learning needs, education environments and project management.
Executive Board
Dr. Mark Turner
Mark founded Real Training with Alan Macgregor in 2004 and is now Managing Director. Real Group is the third successful education enterprise that Mark has founded. Mark creates highly effective teams which embrace innovation and focus on impact. He completed his educational psychology doctorate in 2010. He publishes, speaks at conferences, and is a Governor of an inner London Secondary School. He is an alumni of the Goldman Sachs and the University of Oxford Säid Business School 10KSB programme.
Siobhan Mellor
Siobhan has established and led teams of professional tutors and expert witnesses across Real Group. She excels in developing effective operational systems and teams and takes the lead role in managing the team and collating, interpreting and reporting quality-assurance data for the directors and Middlesex University. As an experienced EP, she has worked with children and young people in mainstream schools for almost two decades. She believes in helping educators to meet the needs of children with SEND.
Strategy Board
Dr. Mark Turner and Siobhan Mellor are standing members of the Strategy Board
Claire Imhofe
Claire joined Real Group as Finance Director in September 2020, with over 20 years of financial experience, supporting both the commercial and charitable sectors. Claire is a qualified Chartered Accountant (CGMA), and has a BSc degree in Economics. As FD, Claire works collaboratively with the Directors of the Board, to ensure robust sustainable financial plans are in place; provides analytical insight, and financial consultancy, to drive continued strong business performance, and the achievement of Real Group’s strategic goals.
Dave Fletcher
Dave sits on the Strategy Board as a business advisor. With 16 years as an entrepreneur, Dave is an expert in digital business, growth strategies and leadership. He is Co-founder of The Lead Developer, a global media business that creates content and conferences for leaders and changemakers in software engineering teams around the world, developing their tech, team and tools to advance their businesses.Dave also holds non-exec positions at BioScientifica, the publishing arm of the Society for Endocrinology, and Educake, an online formative assessment platform for GCSEs.
Innovation
Mark Turner and Siobhan Mellor believe in the power of psychology and technology to change lives. Real Group constantly strives to stay at the leading edge of education technology and the latest thinking.
Programme leaders
Kathryn Benzine
Having worked for Dyslexia Action since 2010, Kathryn is the head of education and learning for both the CPD and Professional Programme for Dyslexia Action Training.
Katie Hickin
Katie has worked within educational settings for a decade as a teacher, a qualified SENCO and a member of the Senior Management Team since graduating from the University of Cambridge with a Masters in Educational Research Practice. Now working for Real Group, Katie tutors and leads on Real Training's MEd SEND Programme, including the NASENCO and iSENCO qualifications.
Dr. Mark Turner
We are proud to have developed a jointly validated Masters in Leading Inclusive Education with Middlesex University and Mark is the co-programme leader with Ron Sergejev of Middlesex. Mark is also the Programme Leader of the Professional Assessment Programme. In 2003 Mark became one of the first BPS Verified Assessors of the Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (CCET).
Siobhan Mellor
Siobhan Mellor leads our DfE Accredited National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) programme with Annie Grant.
Contact us
Main switchboard
Dyslexia Action
Dyslexia Action Shop
Find us
Greenwich office
Real Group Ltd, 4 Victoria Parade, London SE10 9FR, United Kingdom.
01273 35 80 80
Canterbury office
Real Group Ltd, 70-72 Stour Street, Canterbury, CT1 2NZ, United Kingdom.
01273 35 80 80
Staines office
Dyslexia Action, Centurion House, London Road, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 4AX, United Kingdom.
01784 22 23 04
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