Dr Victoria Tyrer-Davies
Educational Psychologist | Learning, Inclusion & Wellbeing
Victoria’s qualifications:
- BSc (Hons) Psychology
- PhD in Cognitive & Biological Psychology
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Doctorate in Educational Psychology (D.Ed.Psy)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Children & Adolescents
- MSc in Applied Positive Psychology & Coaching Psychology
- Certified Positive Health Practitioner
About Me
I’m Dr Victoria Tyrer-Davies, an Educational Psychologist, former teacher and founder of Flying Colours Educational Psychology Service.
I have 19 years’ experience as an Educational Psychologist, working in both Local Authority and independent practice. My work involves supporting schools, children, young people and families to understand learning, development, special educational needs and emotional wellbeing.
I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and am a member of the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP).
I believe that effective psychological support involves more than identifying difficulties. It also means understanding individual strengths, relationships and environments, and recognising what helps people learn, develop and flourish.
Why Flying Colours?
The name Flying Colours reflects our belief that success is about more than academic achievement alone. It’s about recognising individual strengths, overcoming barriers and creating opportunities for children and young people to learn, grow and flourish.
The Story Behind HAPPI Psychology
My interest in Positive Psychology and Positive Education has grown from both personal and professional experience.
I didn’t have a particularly positive experience of school myself, either as a learner or later as a teacher. Those experiences helped shape my interest in understanding not only the challenges people face, but also the conditions that enable them to feel supported, succeed and genuinely thrive.
Alongside my work in Educational Psychology, I became increasingly interested in strengths-based approaches, wellbeing and the science of flourishing. This led me to complete a Master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, as well as gaining certification as a Positive Health Practitioner.
Drawing on my professional experience, research and further study, I developed HAPPI Psychology, an integrated framework bringing together Educational Psychology, Positive Psychology and Positive Health.
Today, HAPPI underpins the Flying Colours approach and informs the development of practical, evidence-informed resources to support learning, inclusion and wellbeing.
Victoria’s Publications
Tyrer-Davies. V. (2023, December 19). Is it time for positive educational psychology? EdPsy Org. https://edpsy.org.uk/blog/2023/it-is-time-for-positive-educational-psychology/
Tyrer-Davies. V. (2023). The relationship between character strengths and perceived teacher self-efficacy. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 7 (9), 115 – 151. Download a copy here: Published-Paper.pdf
McDougall,S., Tyrer,V., & Folkard,S. (2006). Searching for signs: Effects of time of day, visual complexity and grouping. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 12 (2), 118-128.
McDougall,S., Tyrer,V., & Folkard,S. (2004). Effects of time of day on interpreting signs & icons. IN P.T. McCabe (Ed). Contemporary Ergonomics 2004. Boca Raton: CRC Press.