I have been teaching for almost 30 years, with experience in Mainstream and Specialist Provision settings. I am skilled in designing bespoke learning experiences for a wide range of Special Educational Needs including Autism, Speech and Language, ADD/ADHD, Mental Health/Anxiety, Behavioural Needs and learning delay. My kind, caring and professional approach enables young people to feel relaxed, able to access learning and celebrate their achievements.
Skills & Experience
Having taught for almost thirty years, seven of these spent as a Headteacher in a Primary School, I have experience of, and training in, a wide range of needs including Autism, Speech and Language, ADD/ADHD, Mental Health/Anxiety, Behavioural Needs and learning delay.
As a SENCO and Designated Safeguarding Lead in mainstream and specialist provision, I have worked with children from Early Years right through to Year 11. As manager of a Mainstream Autism Base, I have supported many children who find the classroom environment conventional teaching methods challenging.
As a qualified Mental Health First Aider, I understand the necessity to educate hearts as well as minds. Happy people learn well so developing strong and trusting relationships is a priority.
Learning should be infectious. My style of delivery is bespoke; matched to individual needs. Taking time to understand a child and explore their strengths and interests helps to build a relationship and a foundation for the next steps. Whether it be visual, kinesthetic or some other wild and wacky way to ensure empowerment, engagement and enjoyment, I will always be determined to find it!
My experience of teaching children with Special Educational Needs
As SENCo in all the schools I have worked in, I have made provision for a wide range of abilities and needs both in my own classroom and in guiding colleagues in meeting the needs of others across the school. There are many tricks and tips in my ‘toolkit’ and it sometimes takes time to find what works best for each individual. My best tip is to always treat children at an age appropriate level and to provide activities that are engaging, relevant and of interest. Breaking tasks down into small, manageable chunks enables success. Learning at a lower level can be demoralising and disengaging, so I will always strive to find activities that will support and scaffold but challenge and motivate at the same time.
My experience of teaching children with Autism
As manager of a Mainstream Autism Base, I have worked with many children across the spectrum. Relationship and understanding are key in children feeling safe and secure. Knowing the children’s likes, dislikes, triggers and soothers is crucial. These children often find noises, smells, sudden changes and certain atmospheres debilitating. Being one step ahead to diffuse, remove or prepare for potential triggers and meltdowns can make life so much easier for these children. Routine is important, clear boundaries and agreed targets will help children to progress – often beyond what they believe they are capable of.
My experience of teaching children with behaviour, anxiety and mental health needs
Children need to feel listened to. Some children need to talk, others prefer to draw, some just need to know that you care. My friendly approach helps children to feel secure – they learn to believe me when I say, and show, that I care. Some days the world may feel unmanageable but together we can always find a light at the end of tunnel or the gold at the end of the rainbow.
My experience of teaching children with communication and processing needs
Not all people have the gift of speech and others find it difficult to use their speech to communicate. Non-verbal communication can be very refreshing and rewarding and is not a barrier to learning and achievement. Visual support, scribing, use of symbols can be an effective way of communicating.
My experience of teaching the Primary Curriculum
Having taught all subjects across the Primary age range, I have designed and delivered many units of work but no two have ever been the same! This is because no two classes or two children are the same. Whatever we are learning, I will tailor it to need and take it at an appropriate pace. Embedding new information and skills and then recalling it later is a powerful tool in creating a sense of achievement.
My experience of teaching the Secondary Curriculum
I have taught Key Stage Three and Four English, Maths, History and Geography. Much of this teaching is knowledge based so the use of mind mapping, visual support, memory games, colour coded revision cards and regular revisiting help to keep the learning fresh and easy to recall.
My experience of teaching GCSE and Functional Skills
I have taught, English, Maths and History at GCSE level but would be willing to teach other subjects. The volume of information needed to be covered, stored and retrieved can be daunting so careful planning, organising and good use of time is essential.
The Functional Skills syllabus is more appropriate for some children and can be covered quickly leaving lots of time for revision and application.
Some children worry a great deal about exams. Preparing for these on a 1:1 basis can help them to feel more confident, tailoring their learning to the areas that are most important to them and giving lots of experience of real papers promotes self-belief and motivation.
My experience of teaching children on a 1:1 basis
It is a privilege and a joy to work on a 1:1 basis. It can be daunting for families to accept a stranger into their homes and the thought of doing ‘work’ can cause anxiety for children who may have found the school environment difficult. My belief is that relationship is the key and I have proven experience of working with and having success in teaching some very complex individuals. Time will be spent building a relationship and understanding the needs, preferences and learning style before carefully designing and creating interesting, engaging and stimulating sessions. Celebrating success and recognising what has been achieved will be a priority as well as consulting on the next steps.
SCROLL TO READ MORE
Locations Covered
Gloucestershire., Herefordshire, and Worcestershire
Location
Loading...
No Records Found
Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.
Maps failed to load
Sorry, unable to load the Maps API.
Availability
Monday: 09.00 – 16.30
Tuesday: 09.00 – 12.00
Wednesday: Fully Booked until July
Thursday: Fully Booked until July
Friday: 09.00 – 16.30
Saturday: Fully booked
Sunday: Fully booked
Reviews
Ages Supported
- Early Years
- Primary
- Secondary
Specialisms
- Anxiety
- ASC (autism)
- ADHD & ADD
- Dyslexia
- SEMH (Social & Emotional & Mental Health needs)
- Working Memory and Processing Needs
- Speech and Language Needs (including non-verbal)
- Dyscalculia
- DCD (Dyspraxia)
- Global Developmental Delay & Learning Difficulties
- Other SEN
Subjects Provided
- Primary (Maths & English Literacy)
- Secondary English (including GCSEs)
- Secondary Maths (Including GCSEs)
- Study Skills & Executive Functioning Skills (including GSCEs)
- Social Communication & Language Skills
- Confidence and Self-Esteem
- Functional Skills (English & Maths)
- Homework Support
Qualifications and Training
- Qualified Teacher Status
- Bachelor of Education (Hons) Music
- Senior Leader
- English Lead
- EYFS Lead
- R.E. Lead
- Music Lead
- Enhanced DBS Certificate
- Level Five Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Level Three First Aid for Mental Health
- Dyslexia Pathway and Portfolio Training
- Extra Familial Harm Safeguarding
- Prevent
- Child Neglect
- Fire Safety in Education
- Dealing with Bereavement and Loss
- Extremism and Radicalisation
- Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Online Safety
- Raising Awareness of Child-on-Child Abuse
- Positive Handling
My Teaching Philosophy
My vision is to make learning relevant, accessible, and inclusive for all despite barriers or inhibitions. This leads me to find creative and innovative ways to support and scaffold young people in gaining new knowledge and developing new skills. My calm, patient and friendly approach encourages children to feel safe, secure, independent, confident and resilient which, in turn, leads to positive attitudes, experiences and outcomes.
Every child has a right to and education but also to an education that meets their needs. An education that plays on their strengths and supports the areas where they need to build confidence. An education that prepares them for life in the 21st Century where they can follow their dreams and reach their true potential.
Choose me if…
- You are seeking someone who will help your child to feel like a champion.
- Your child needs a bespoke and engaging package of activities to help them to progress and succeed.
- You want to find the right pathway for your child.
- Your child responds well to a friendly, calm and fun approach to learning.
- You are seeking a teacher who will not give up on your child and will discover ways to help them to believe in themselves.
- You want to feel that your child and their future matters.
Something Sensational About Me
One of my heroes (together with Pie Corbett, Julie Andrews, Roger Bart and Kermit the Frog) is Rita Pierson. A strong independent woman who once said:
“Every child deserves a champion. An adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.”
I have built a reputation for being a champion! Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to teach. I never tire of it and am delighted to be continuing my journey in Education by offering bespoke learning experiences to children who really need it.
My parents instilled in me kindness, compassion, courage, patience, acceptance, self-belief, commitment and a sense of purpose in wanting to make the world a better place. I am so much more than a teacher. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a doggie-lover, a violinist, a bargain hunter charity shopper, a musical theatre fan, a gardener, a Rock Choir Soprano, a volunteer for a charity and a chaperone for a Youth Theatre Group.
I have a beautiful little Maltese dog called Mabel. Mabel was once a much loved ‘School dog’ who from a very young age has been around children. She responds amazingly well to different emotions and has been known to calm and distract the most anxious and upset children. Mabel would be more than happy to come along to sessions if you felt that this would be beneficial to your child.
Contact us to book Helen
Your contact details and message will be sent to SENsational Tutors Ltd and your selected tutor. Your selected tutor will contact you via email and SENsational Tutors Ltd will be copied into all correspondence.
Please note that you must answer all questions below. This is also indicated by ‘*’.