Sobia

I bring extensive experience of coordinating people, provision and accountability across educational leadership, SEND governance, elected local-authority scrutiny and NHS governance. As an Assistant Headteacher, I line-managed the Heads of Mathematics and Science, worked closely with the SENDCO, coordinated staff and resources, monitored progress and addressed gaps in provision. I have experience of working with EHCPs and understand the importance of ensuring that identified needs are translated into clearly specified support, coordinated effectively and monitored against agreed outcomes.

My wider leadership experience includes chairing multidisciplinary meetings, gathering and scrutinising evidence, coordinating reports and contributors, monitoring agreed actions and liaising with families, professionals and senior leaders. As a County Councillor and Shadow Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Education and Schools, I also advocated for families involved in SEND tribunal proceedings by challenging and liaising directly with the local authority’s SEND service.

Trust sits at the heart of everything I do. Every learner brings their own experiences, strengths and challenges, so I never assume that one approach will suit everyone. I take time to understand each learner as an individual, adapting both my teaching and communication to meet their needs.

I have supported children, young people and adults across mainstream education, SEND, alternative provision, community settings and one-to-one tuition. My experience includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia, EBSA, executive functioning difficulties, speech, language and communication needs, SEMH, anxiety and learners who have experienced disrupted education.

I understand that communication looks different for every learner. I currently support an online learner who, at the start of our work together, chose to communicate solely through the lesson platform's text chat rather than using a microphone or camera. Their carer remained alongside them during the session to help reduce anxiety, and I adapted my teaching to the learner's preferred way of communicating rather than expecting them to communicate in mine. Taking time to understand their interests—and researching a topic that was important to them—helped me begin building trust and engagement from our very first session. Establishing trust has been an important first step and has provided a positive foundation on which future learning can continue to build.

As an English specialist, I have taught English Language and Literature across primary, secondary, GCSE, A Level and adult education. I also have experience teaching primary and Key Stage 3 mathematics and supporting Functional Skills learners, helping them apply literacy and numeracy within meaningful real-life contexts.

Throughout my career, I have worked closely with families and professionals to create learning that is ambitious, realistic and personalised. My aim is always to help learners develop confidence, resilience and increasing independence alongside academic progress.