Val started teaching in 1977 as a Home Economics Teacher, initially in the East End of London and later in a large comprehensive school in Colchester. In both schools she was involved with and supported pupils with literacy and learning difficulties.

Whilst at home raising a family Val continued to help the children of friends and neighbours who experienced literacy and numeracy difficulties and worked as a volunteer in local primary schools. She also continued to teach Needlework and Dressmaking in the evenings at Adult Education Colleges and trained as Tutor Trainer to assist other tutors who had no formal teaching experience.

In 1990 Val resumed her teaching career as a part time literacy support teacher in an EBD Residential School. This quickly became a full time position with Val having overall responsibility for literacy, and later numeracy.

Following the closure of the school in 1998 Val joined Donyland Lodge as a part time English teacher. This position also became full time with Val relinquishing the teaching of English in order to teach Humanities and develop the role of SENCO.