“We highly recommend Dianne Blackburn’s consultancy services to anyone looking to enhance their educational programs. We engaged Dianne’s services because we needed help with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and were impressed by her expertise in this area. We had worked with Dianne as an IB workshop leader and Field Rep. Dianne's work not only met our expectations but went above and beyond. She understood what we needed and provided us with practical, innovative UDL solutions. She ran professional development sessions that were engaging and informative, giving our educators new tools and techniques that they could use in their classrooms. She was professional, insightful, and always ready to collaborate.”
Joanna Moe
Acting Director
Qatar Foundation, Education Development Institute (EDI)

“We engaged Dianne as a critical friend to help us with the evaluation of our MYP programme and, in particular, to support us in our bid to embed Universal Design for Learning (UDL) within our academy. We have not been disappointed!
Dianne’s knowledge and understanding of the IB programme is exemplary. She is truly an expert in Universal Design of Learning (UDL) and we have been privileged to have had her as a guide throughout our journey towards introducing and embedding UDL in our academy. She has played a key role by working closely with a wide range of stakeholers and with great success; she continues to be highly commended for her supportive and critical skills which ensure progress in equal measure.
Dianne is a consummate professional, a fantastic presenter and one who understands inclusivity in educational contexts. She has a unique ability to engage with her audience in ways that not many consultants can. In all the sessions that we have had with her, Dianne has communicated her passion in clear, interactive and supportive ways. The sessions have always been insightful and thought provoking, and we have always left her sessions empowered and desiring more of her wisdom. I can say with confidence that our students have more opportunities to be successful because we, their teachers, have been empowered through Dianne’s work. I will unreservedly recommend Dianne Blackburn's services.”

Felix Donker
Head of School
Longfield Academy

“I have known Dianne Blackburn since 2017 when a colleague recommended using her as an external consultant as TIS, a Candidate MYP School at the time, prepared for authorisation. Moving from IGCSE to MYP was an enormous challenge in terms of mindset.
Dianne is professional in approach, performance and outcomes. She is an expert coach with the broad experience to attain this status. She ensures each client/school owns the process to meet specific and individual needs in terms of outcomes. Dianne is patient, ensures clarity through a hands-on and collaborative approach.
Her expertise is best illustrated by one of our experiences. In the first two days back after our long summer break, an in-school workshop was conducted for staff. It was a daunting task, yet Dianne provided an engaging, enthusiastic, and inspiring workshop. She ensured our teachers were ready to start the new year with high energy.
There are many obvious observations and outcomes after any of Dianne’s workshops. These include: everyone is an active and engaged participant; Dianne role models the teaching/earning process; sessions are full of high energy and enthusiasm; and participants leave knowing what they must do next and are accountable with a follow-up session. Collaborative teamwork is strengthened as a consequence of the Blackburn experience.
TIS has utilised Dianne’s services on several occasions, and on each occasion, she has maintained the same level of excellence in planning, performance and outcomes.
I have no hesitation in recommending Dianne Blackburn’s Consultancy Services to any school seeking improvement in school performance and outcomes. To achieve the best, you need the best coach. Dianne is the simple answer to the question: Who?

Enjoy the experience. You will never regret it.”
Dr Ken Darvall
Principal
Tema International School

"Dianne spearheaded a transformative one-day workshop on Interdisciplinary Units (IDUs) in June 2022, aimed at enhancing our teacher's expertise in developing, delivering, and assessing interdisciplinary curriculum. Having previously crossed paths with Dianne at an IB MYP ID workshop in Dubai back in 2019, I was immediately struck by her suitability to lead this crucial in-school professional development initiative.

Since the workshop, our school has undergone a profound shift in focus towards IDUs, seamlessly integrating this work into our ongoing professional development framework. As a result, we've expanded our IDU offerings by adding an extra unit per grade across the MYP spectrum and even introduced dedicated two-days off the regular timetable for students to immerse themselves in an IDU Day.

Dianne's remarkable blend of expertise, warmth, and approachability resonated deeply with our staff. Her workshop was not only rich in content but also highly engaging, incorporating innovative technology and exemplary teaching methodologies. From meticulously planned resources to the well-structured objectives of the day, every aspect of the workshop reflected Dianne's preparation.

The feedback from our staff speaks volumes—Dianne's workshop left them feeling empowered and equipped to confidently tackle IDU planning and navigate the nuances of the new assessment criteria. In summary, Dianne's workshop was a great success, leaving a lasting impact on our school community and paving the way for enhanced interdisciplinary learning experiences."
Kerry Jenkins
IB MYP Coordinator, Teacher of Science

"Dianne Blackburn’s expertise as an International Baccalaureate Consultant has been instrumental in the transformation of our MYP provision at Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy. Our decision to engage Dianne’s services was driven by the need to refine our MYP curriculum and teaching practices.

Her approach to consultancy is both comprehensive and highly personalised, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities presented by our school context. Notably, Dianne was instrumental in guiding our transition from an incipient IB framework to a robust and thriving MYP environment. Her ability to connect our staff with a broader network of IB professionals has significantly enriched our practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and international-mindedness.

Dianne’s support extended beyond routine consultations; she was pivotal in redefining our approach to MYP assessment and curriculum development. Through targeted CPD sessions, regular school visits, and ongoing online support, she ensures that our pedagogical strategies are increasingly conceptual and inquiry centred. Her mentorship has been particularly invaluable to me as a new MYP Coordinator, equipping me with the skills and confidence to drive substantial curricular and cultural shifts.

I would unreservedly recommend Dianne Blackburn’s consultancy services to both emerging and established IB schools. Her expertise, tailored approach, and unwavering support are truly exceptional. Any educational institution aiming to embrace or enhance their IB provision would greatly benefit from her guidance and insight."
Jane Barrowcliff
MYP coordinator.
Stationers Crowne Wood Academy.

"We sought Dianne's expertise to revamp inclusive education in our school community, and her work exceeded our expectations. Dianne’s deep understanding of UDL principles, collaborative approach, and practical strategies resulted in tangible improvements. Our teachers were engaged, and they felt better equipped to meet diverse needs of their students, which contibuted in the significant enhancment our overall classroom culture.

Working with Dianne was an exceptional experience, marked by professionalism, expertise, and genuine commitment to our success. I highly recommend her consultancy services to any school aiming to amplify their inclusive education approach.”

Anjel Lublubjian
MHS Assistant Principal – Academic
ACS International School Doha

"Our encounter with Dianne Blackburn's UDL workshop was incredibly enlightening. We reached out to her seeking guidance on integrating Universal Design for Learning principles into our teaching practices. Dianne's school wide workshop not only met but surpassed our expectations. She provided clear, practical insights that were immediately applicable in our classrooms. Dianne provided extensive resources that we could use even after the workshop.
Thanks to Dianne's expertise, we experienced tangible improvements in our approach to teaching. Her tailored guidance empowered us to create more inclusive learning environments, accommodating diverse student needs more effectively. Our overall experience with Dianne was positive and enriching. We found her consultancy services to be highly valuable and would certainly recommend them to others seeking to enhance their teaching practices with UDL principles.”
Servet Altan, Ph.D.
Vice Dean & IBEC Coordinator
Faculty of Education, MEF University

Testimonials