I have been the Head of Learning Support since 2008. Prior to this, I worked in a number of roles supporting children with special needs in the state sector, including class teaching, advisory roles and tutoring within the specialist teaching service.
What interests you in your subject?
My passion for helping children who find learning a little more challenging started when I was a classroom teacher. The progress of all my pupils was important to me but I was always delighted in seeing these children achieve, as I know how hard they had had to work to succeed.
How has provision for Special Needs changed?
When I first started teaching, SEN was not high profile and the support structures within a school were not in place as they are today. It was really up to the individual teacher to differentiate and support pupils in their class. There were mixed abilities and needs but very few had their specific difficulties diagnosed. Training for staff was minimal and children who had trouble learning to read ended up going to a reading unit outside of school. Now every school has to have a SENCO (Special Education Needs Coordinator). At SVPS we call this role, Head of Learning Support. The difference in our School is that the focus is not just on children who have a specific or long-term difficulty. Help is offered to any pupil in our care of any ability who may need a little extra support for a short time if a need is identified.
How can parents support children’s learning?
All children are unique and their individuality should be celebrated. The key is ensuring that their self-esteem remains intact throughout their educational journey. If children are understood, receive the support they need and understand themselves as they get older, they will be the best they can be. Happy children make progress.