Carl

I have extensive experience supporting secondary-age pupils with a wide range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, both in mainstream education and one-to-one provision. My specialist areas include autism (including PDA), ADHD, speech and language needs, working memory difficulties, sensory and auditory processing needs, anxiety, trauma, and SEMH.

My work is grounded in the belief that meaningful progress begins with trust. I specialise in establishing calm, consistent learning environments, particularly for pupils who are disengaged, anxious, or currently out of education. I maintain high expectations alongside a clear understanding that readiness to learn develops at different rates.

Autism, Anxiety, and Emotional Regulation

I have significant experience supporting autistic pupils and those with complex anxiety profiles. My approach prioritises predictability, reduced sensory load, and clear lesson structure. Visual scaffolding, explicit modelling, and carefully sequenced tasks are used to support comprehension and enable pupils to engage confidently with challenging material, including GCSE-level texts.

Lessons are designed with a clear understanding of each pupil's tolerance for change. Routine and preparation are used to build trust and emotional safety, supporting sustained engagement over time.

ADHD, Working Memory, and Attention Needs

When working with pupils with ADHD or working memory difficulties, I focus on clarity, structure, and momentum. Tasks are broken into manageable stages with clear goals and regular feedback.

I use visual supports, checklists, and repetition strategically, while reducing cognitive overload and unnecessary multitasking. Independence is developed gradually through scaffolded practice.

Speech, Language, and Communication Needs

I have extensive experience supporting pupils who find it difficult to articulate ideas, organise responses, or interpret implicit meaning in texts.

My approach includes:

• explicit modelling of analytical responses

This enables pupils across the full GCSE grade range (1–9) to make sustained progress.

SEMH and Mental Health Needs

I have worked extensively with pupils with SEMH needs in both mainstream and specialist contexts. My approach is calm, consistent, and relational, with a strong emphasis on emotional safety, clear boundaries, and personalised support.

Where appropriate, I incorporate grounding strategies to support emotional regulation. In all cases, maintaining stability, safety, and engagement is the priority.

Subjects and Curriculum Experience

I have taught the following subjects at secondary level:

• English Language and Literature (AQA, WJEC, iGCSE)

Prior to specialising in English, I taught ICT for six years, including graphic and web design, office applications, and introductory programming (Scratch, Python, HTML).

Independence, Confidence, and Engagement

A central aim of my work is to develop independence, confidence, and a realistic sense of capability.

Pupils are given structured choices to promote ownership, while scaffolding is gradually reduced at an appropriate pace. This supports sustained engagement and long-term progress.