Who We Are

CandLE is run by educational experts in the field of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). Managing Director, Marion Stanton, is a recognised leader in the field of curriculum access for students who rely on AAC. From her experience of having a son with cerebral palsy, she developed an understanding of the needs of AAC users and the appropriate support they require to be able to communicate, learn and thrive.

Our team consists of teachers, teaching assistants, speech and language therapists, and teacher trainers, who have specialist knowledge of using AAC to access the curriculum and support communication. We have many years’ experience of working in collaboration with LEA’s, educational establishments, and individuals who support students who use AAC.

Order copies of Marion Stanton’s books from Amazon here:

Cerebral Palsy Handbook

Can I tell you about Cerebral Palsy?

Meet the team

Marion Stanton

Head of Education

Marion is the Head of Education at CandLE with over 30 years experience of supporting students who rely on AAC. She is the author of the 'Cerebral Palsy handbook' and 'Can I tell you about Cerebral Palsy?' She has an MA in Online and Distance Learning which involved educational theory as well as educational technology evaluation. She also has an Advanced Diploma in Equality and Diversity and a PGCE. In 2015 she received a queen's honour for her work with children and families in education. She is a core member of the AAC Exams access group which works with examination bodies to support access to exams for students who rely on AAC.

Philippa Blackburn

Speech and Language Therapist

Philippa is a Speech and Language Therapist with over 20 years’ experience of working with children and adolescents with additional needs. She has a specialist knowledge of working with young people with physical and learning disabilities, as well as Alternative and Augmentative Communication, (AAC). Philippa has expertise in team working, within mainstream or specialist schools, post 16 facilities and with families or care teams. In addition to working to extend a student’s language, communication and self-advocacy skills she aids pupils working towards City and Guilds AAC qualifications. Philippa has also developed skills in assisting young people to meet their educational expectations, (especially tailoring literacy learning, to make it more accessible) and she uses tools to assist with young people’s preparedness for adulthood and the development of their independence skills.

Louise Eckley

Maths Advisory Teacher

Louise studied maths at the University of Bristol and worked as a secondary maths teacher in Ulverston for almost ten years. It was there that she first came across CandLE, as they were supporting one of her students: a very able mathematician and AAC user, who progressed through mainstream school to study maths at university. Louise joined the CandLE team as a Maths Advisory Teacher in 2020. She provides specialist maths education support to other CandLE staff and also teaching and support to individual students.