Education Consultant • Certified Reading Specialist • Founder of Ant Learning
Helping Parents Give Their Children the Strongest Possible Start
Lara Okpor helps parents navigate early reading, school readiness and 11+ preparation with practical, proven strategies developed through more than a decade of working with children and families.
10+ years in education
Certified Reading Specialist
800+ children supported
Founder of Ant Learning
MEET LARA OKPOR
An Educator, Reading Specialist and Mum Who Understands the Questions Parents Ask
Lara is an Education Consultant and Certified Reading Specialist with more than ten years of experience in child development and education.
She works with parents, children and educators to find practical, engaging and sustainable ways to transform learning. Her expertise includes early reading, school readiness, 11+ preparation, learning-experience design, professional training and parent support.
But Lara’s journey into education did not begin in a classroom. It began at home, with a question many parents ask:
“What should I be doing to prepare my child for school?”
It Started with a First-Time Mum and a Three-Year-Old
Before founding Ant Learning, Lara was a first-time mum who wanted to prepare her three-year-old son for school—but did not know where to begin.
She asked a friend with older children what she should be doing. Her friend gave her a simple answer:
“Teach him to read.”
Lara acted on that advice. Within two weeks, her son was trying to decode words everywhere—on buses, signs and household items. Watching him discover that written words could be unlocked sparked something in her.
That experience led Lara into education and eventually became the foundation for Ant Learning.
“When parents know what to do and have a proven system to follow, helping their child make progress becomes much simpler.”
From Developing People to Transforming Children’s Learning
Before founding Ant Learning, Lara spent more than 18 years in leadership and people development, including working as a Senior Human Resources Consultant for one of the UK’s largest retail companies.
Her experience in management, training, coaching, mentoring and learning and development taught her how to create clear systems that help people grow.
When Lara began teaching her own three-year-old son to read, those skills found a new purpose. What started as one mother searching for the best way to prepare her child for school developed into a career in education—and eventually became Ant Learning.
Over the following decade, Lara worked with hundreds of children and families and developed structured programmes for early reading, school readiness and 11+ preparation.
Today, her approach combines educational expertise with the strategic thinking, clear systems and personalised support developed throughout her professional career.
“Every child can make progress when they have the right support, skills and environment.”
How Lara Helps Children and Families
Early Reading
Helping children understand sounds, blend confidently and become increasingly independent readers.
School Readiness
Building the reading, numeracy, social and emotional foundations children need for Reception and primary school.
11+ Preparation
Developing the knowledge, exam skills and confidence children need when applying to grammar and independent schools.
Parent Consultation
Giving parents expert, personalised guidance on their child’s learning, progress and next steps.
Educator training
Helping teachers and education professionals create engaging and effective learning experiences.
A Decade of Helping Children Progress
10+
years
of specialist education experience
300+
children
Reading levels gained in 6-12 weeks
4
education centres
founded and developed
Not Sure What Your Child Needs Next?
1:1 consultation with Lara
A 1:1 consultation with Lara gives you dedicated time to discuss your child’s current position, the concerns you have and the goals you are working toward.
Together, you will identify the priorities and create clearer next steps for supporting your child.
Possible consultation topics:
✅ Your child is struggling to blend or read independently
✅ You want to prepare your child for Reception
✅ You are unsure whether your child is meeting expectations
✅ You need a more effective home-learning routine
✅ Your child is preparing for the 11+
✅ You need help choosing the right programme or support
✅ You want a personalised learning plan
What the parent receives:
✅ A focused conversation with Lara
✅ An assessment of the current situation
✅ Clear priorities
✅ Practical recommendations
✅ Suggested next steps or appropriate Ant Learning support