Professor Simmonds began contributing to physiotherapy education in 2000 as a module leader on the MSc in Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at UCL. She later became the course coordinator for MSc in Advanced Sports Physiotherapy programme while teaching sports rehabilitatin at Middlesex University. In 2006 she moved to the University of Hertfordshire (UH) where she developed knoweldge and expertise in blended and distance learning. While at UH she undertook a variety of roles including; Programme Lead for the MSc in Sport Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention, Physiotherapy Research Lead, Postgraduate Programmes Coordinator and Professional lead for Physiotherapy. Her contribution to teaching was acknowleged when she was awarded the Vice Chancellors Award for Enhancing the Student Experience and Success of Graduates. Since returning to UCL in 2014, she has become the Lead for Paediatric Physiotherapy and promoted to Associate Professor (Teaching). She is a Faculty Graduate Tutor (Taught) where she has co led the creation of assessment and feedback guidelines with Professor Anne Peasey and helped to facilitate the transformation to online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. Most recently in 2021 Professor Simmonds joined Professor Helen Bedford as Co Deputy Director of Education at GOS ICH. 

Professor Simmonds is passionate about enhancing the student experience and the translation of research into practice through education to ensure best quality provision of physiotherapy and healthcare.  She also has a long standing commitment to equality and diversity in teaching and is the education lead for the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Race Equality Group. Professor Simmonds has contributed to many internal and external programme validation and review panels and is an experienced external examiner in higher education. Professor Simmonds has developed interests and expertise in blended and distance learning and led over 100 short courses, symposia and study days. Most recently she has led the development of an accessible online short course in Fundamental of Paediatric Physiotherapy funded by a UCL innovations grant. Her current focus is on leading curricular change related to sustainability and climate change within Great Ormond Street Institute of child Health.

Through all these experiences, Professor Simmonds has developed a thorough understanding of healthcare delivery, education and physiotherapy research.  Her work at UCL was acknowleged in 2019 when she was awarded the Provost Education Award for outstanding contribution to education.