About the founder

I started Smart Not Stupid at university, when I realised how easy it is for talented students to believe they’re “stupid”, “dumb” or “slow” when no one has ever given them the right support, guidance or strategies that work with the way their brain works.

I know this from experience. Despite often getting poor grades during term time, I went on to achieve 8 GCSEs (grades 8–4) and graduated with a 2:1 degree in Anthropology and Media from the University of London - despite an educational psychologist telling me that I was unlikely to make it to university because the education system simply wasn’t set up to support learning needs like mine.

I chose the name Smart Not Stupid as a direct challenge to those labels.

It’s a reminder that struggling without the right understanding, support and systems is not a reflection of your intelligence.