What does Learning Support entail exactly?

That's a big question. Special Educational Needs (SEN) teachers usually help young people who need extra support with their learning and will often work with children who have mild to moderate learning difficulties; specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia; hearing or visual impairment or emotional or behavioural difficulties.

Tell us about your training and education.

I studied at the University of Brighton where I achieved a BA (Hons) in Primary Education with QTS and then at the University of Chichester where I gained a National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination. I then achieved a Level 4 Dyslexia Award with Dyslexia Action.

Please paint us a picture of your career experience and background.

I have worked in education for nearly 20 years, training in the state sector and also working internationally. My experience ranges from state, independent and international schools and a range of curriculums including ISEB, National Curriculum, EYFS and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.

I began my career teaching in schools in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, then was quickly promoted to Head of Year in a large primary in the Dorset area. I then moved back to Brighton and was Head of Early Years at a school in West Sussex.

Following this, I moved out to Tanglin Trust School in Singapore, rated one of the best schools in the world. I worked in Singapore for three years. The school followed the British National Curriculum and I had responsibility for training TAs and for a curriculum subject. I then moved to Hong Kong, spending four years working at Kennedy School, which is part of a large foundation of British, International Schools, teaching the IB curriculum. Here, I led a team of professionals all working together to support Special Educational Needs across the large five-form entry school.

Moving back home, I worked at Brighton Girls (formerly Brighton and Hove High School) and then moved to Windlesham House School as the Head of Learning Development.

Tell us a little about your hobbies, passions and interests.

I love to travel and living in SE Asia gave me plenty of opportunities to explore the world! I love to scuba dive and have an adventurous spirit and am generally interested in keeping physically well. I ran the Hong Kong half marathon and completed the 'Moon Trekker' which is a marathon distance run, hike and mountain climb. Life is a little gentler back at home. I still try to run and love gym classes when I have the time. Living back in the UK has been more about DIY and house renovations and I enjoy that too. I’ve just taken up reformer pilates and am loving it!

“The main thing that has drawn me to working with Sompting Abbotts is that it’s crystal clear that the children’s needs come first. When I visited the school, I was instantly taken with the warmth and homely and family feel of the school and knew it was a good fit for me.”

Tell us what you enjoy most about teaching?

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My company, Elite Tutors Sussex, has kept me extremely busy over the last year and I am truly passionate about the work I do. I feel lucky to have found a career that I enjoy so much! I went into teaching in order to help children be the best they can possibly be, both academically and socially and half of my career has been devoted to doing this with children who have barriers to learning. Setting up Elite Tutors Sussex has allowed me to reach more students across Sussex that need some kind of support and I have some incredible teachers working with us and some wonderful families that we support too. It's wonderful to know that we are helping children and restoring academic confidence and happiness too.

Where are you based?

I live in Hove with my partner David, my dog Digby, and David's two children who are 16 and 19.

Tell us something we might be surprised to know about you!

I was the Captain of a Dragon Boat team in Hong Kong - great fun! We entered races every year in the HK Dragon Boat Festival.

What appealed to you about working at Sompting Abbotts?

The main thing that has drawn me to working with Sompting Abbotts is that it’s crystal clear that the children's needs come first. Any school that puts children at the centre, with their best interests first and foremost, will always appeal to me. When I visited the school, I was instantly taken with the warmth and homely and family feel of the school and knew it was a good fit for me.