Joanne

For 10 years I managed an Early Years provision in an outstanding Special School and achieved two concurrent outstanding judgements from Ofsted for the quality of education provided and for the learning outcomes of the children in my classes.

I have significant experience teaching a broad range of children with SEND and have achieved good and outstanding outcomes for all children whatever their complexity of need. While working with pupils on the Autistic Spectrum I have gained experience in using the TEACCH approach to learning where appropriate to individual pupil’s needs. I have implemented PECS, Makaton and a broad range of AAC systems to enable pupils to use different means of communication confidently and competently for a range of purposes. Within my Continuous Professional Development, I have achieved a high competency level in ASD and have played a significant part in training and supporting staff to gain the school’s Autism Accreditation. I have a working knowledge of specific pro-active strategies to enable children with SEN to access the curriculum and progress to their full potential including using ICT and a multi-sensory approach to support learning.

During my time leading and managing the Early Years, I significantly expanded the provision to accommodate 3-5 year olds with a broad range of needs and abilities. I managed and trained a team of 12-15 Teachers and Teaching Assistants to successfully support children with SEND to achieve good and outstanding learning outcomes. Throughout my time at the school I was a placement supervisor for Early Years education students from the local college and many were inspired to work in SEND education. I was a member of the Senior Management Team and played a key role in curriculum development, fostering a positive learning environment and implementing initiatives that contributed to the overall growth and success of the school.

As part of my management role, I was involved in the school’s Outreach Service and used my knowledge and experience to advise Teachers and TAs working with children with Autism in mainstream. For over 20 years, I have provided support, advice and strategies for parents and families of children with SEND and have always been particularly passionate about this part of my role in schools and as a private tutor. I have assisted parents with all aspects of their child’s care, behaviour, communication, independence and learning and provided information through daily written or verbal contact, group training, individual family support sessions and parent consultations. Recently, I have held parent drop-ins for a local SEND charity in order to help parents or carers with understanding their child’s needs and how to best support them. I have built exceptionally strong relationships by listening to and valuing parents/carers views and choices and by being sensitive to their needs, in order to provide the best support for the individual child.

I have considerable experience and training with regards to child protection procedures and have always been vigilant in ensuring my colleagues are fully aware of their role and responsibility in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children. I have developed a sound knowledge of legislative frameworks that underpins the work of the services, the roles and responsibilities of services that support children with SEND and the statutory framework for Early Years Foundation Stage. I have used this knowledge to support parents, families and children effectively and to establish an outstanding Early Years provision where the children feel safe, secure and valued.

I have an excellent working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, having participated in re-writing the EYFS and whole school curriculum to meet the needs of children with PMLD and complex learning difficulties. I have experience in using two complimentary assessment systems, to track the individual pupil’s progress and to generate historical prior data for future pupil tracking.

Through my PGCE in Primary Education, over 20 years’ teaching and continuous training and workshops in the field of Early Years and SEND education, I have gained an in-depth understanding of child development and effective learning, communication and behaviour strategies. My education and art background developed imaginative, creative and problem-solving skills I have used to engage and motivate children in their learning and the academic skills required to successfully communicate information to parents, colleagues and a wide range of professionals from other agencies. As a specialist tutor, I continue to be passionate about using the valuable and rewarding experience I have gained in schools to continue to make a difference to the lives of children and their families.