Meet the Team
Meet the Team
Key skills:
Makaton Level 4
AAC - high and low tech
Sensory Inclusion Facilitator for Education
MA Creative Writing
Secondary English Education with QTS
Experience as an Examiner for both English Literature and Language GCSE
Certified Sensory Inclusion Facilitator with SIE
Heather Smith-Gibbons
(AKA The PDA Teacher)
Heather has worked with vulnerable children and young people since the age of 17, when she volunteered as a befriender with Wigan Children’s Fund. This early experience laid the foundations for a career rooted in advocacy, relationship-building, and a deep commitment to supporting young people who face significant barriers in their lives.
She began her teaching career in 2013, training to teach in mainstream secondary schools as an English teacher. Her first teaching placement, however, was in a specialist setting supporting children with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), an experience that helped shape her understanding of equity, inclusion, communication, and the importance of meeting learners where they are.
Alongside her professional work, Heather is a parent to three children, all of whom have special educational needs and disabilities. Navigating the systems required to secure appropriate support for her own children led her to recognise her own neurodivergence, further deepening her insight into the lived experience of neurodivergent young people and their families.
This personal and professional journey ultimately led her to change the direction of her career and retrain, with the aim of offering children and young people in Devon the kind of provision her own children — and so many others who cannot access mainstream education — urgently need. Her work is grounded in trauma-informed, neuro-affirming practice, with a strong emphasis on emotional safety, flexibility, and dignity.
Heather is driven by the belief that education and support should adapt to the child, not the other way around, and she is committed to creating spaces where young people feel safe, understood, and able to thrive on their own terms.
Founder & Lead Practitioner
Designated Safeguarding LeadChris began his career in music in college when he played in college bands, after teaching himself how to play the guitar on his dad’s left-handed guitar, despite being right-handed. He has performed in a range of environments and genres, from blues to thrash metal. He has professional experience recording albums, including both covers and original music. Chris has also experienced touring and performing at large venues, including at Download Festival in 2015. Throughout this time, Chris also taught people how to play guitar.
Chris is currently in a local covers band and gigs regularly across the Southwest. In addition to this, Chris builds custom guitars under his own brand, Workhorse Guitars.
As well as being a parent to children with SEND, Chris has 8 years of experience supporting individuals with complex needs and learning disabilities. His person-centred approach ensures that individuals are safe, secure, and heard.
Tutors & Learning Mentors
Junior EmployeeHarvey
Harvey was the first Junior Employee to join InvisAble InkEd in 2025. His interests lie in game development, mathematics, and anime. His dream job is to work for Niantic on the development of the Pokémon franchise.
Junior EmployeeWoody
Chris Smith-Gibbons
Music Lead & Learning Mentor
Deputy Designated Safeguarding LeadKey skills:
Makaton Level 1
AAC - high and low tech
Music specialist - decades of experience working in the music industry (including playing Download Festival)
8 years’ experience working with individual with complex needs and disabilities
Bex is a highly experienced Learning Mentor with a strong background in specialist education, supporting D/deaf learners and young people with a wide range of additional needs. She has worked across both school and post-16 settings, developing a deep understanding of how to create inclusive, accessible learning environments that enable every student to succeed.
Throughout her career, Bex has supported learners with diverse needs including autism, anxiety, behavioural challenges, and complex diagnoses. She is skilled in adapting teaching approaches and resources to ensure all students can access education in a meaningful and engaging way. Her work has included creating tailored learning materials, providing one-to-one and small group support, and helping students build the confidence and skills needed to progress into further education or employment.
Bex is particularly passionate about supporting students’ emotional wellbeing alongside their academic development. She places a strong emphasis on building positive relationships, encouraging self-regulation, and helping learners develop independence and self-belief. Her approach is holistic, recognising that emotional and social development are key to long-term success.
With qualifications in art and design, Bex brings creativity into her practice, using innovative and engaging methods to support learning. She also holds British Sign Language qualifications, enabling her to communicate effectively and inclusively with D/deaf students and those who use alternative communication methods.
Bex is committed to creating a supportive, nurturing environment where every learner feels valued, understood, and empowered to achieve their full potential.
BSL Lead & Learning MentorBex Pratt
Key skills:
SEND parent
15+ years working within a specialist SEND setting in various roles
BSL Level 3
Experienced teacher of GCSE Art and Post-16 qualifications (UQT)
Qualifications in Art, Design, and Textiles