Rosanna McCarthy

Rosanna qualified as a teacher in 1946 aged 21, and worked for 3 years at Frances Holland School, before getting married and supporting her husband in his work overseas. She returned to London alone in 1977, aged 51.

She then did the BDA's 1 year Diploma in Kensington and later some other further Dyslexia qualifications and worked as a Dyslexia Therapist/Teacher for 35 years until aged 87 across schools in NW3, and in her later years taught from her home in NW3.

She had high regard for the Kensington Centre and became a prominent, popular & highly regarded therapist across North London.

She worked hard at her teaching, but also at building relationships and informing parents, school teachers, headteachers and school governors about Dyslexia, as well as doggedly approaching charities and Camden Council when trying to get support for children and families in need.

She was often admired for her creative and imaginative cross-sensory approach, as well as having an intuition for spotting particular needs, and she was not shy in referring her students to other educational or medical professionals when she thought necessary.

Where she could, she taught many children from less advantaged families at greatly reduced fees. Further, she became well known for giving good, bespoke and sensitive advice to parents when considering the next school for their child’s education.

She was very proud and happy in her work, which gave her a fulfilling identity and great reward for the ‘second half’ of her life.

Rosanna will be sadly missed.