Poppyc

My Summary

My Experience

I have worked as a full-time primary school teaching assistant in London for 6 years, up to 1st April 2022 when I moved to Edinburgh to be closer to my family. I have worked with all age groups and have supported pupils with a variety if Additional Support Needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention and Hyperactivity Disorder, Myotonic Dystonia, dyslexia and Selective Mutism. I am familiar with strategies such as ‘First, Next’, reward charts, Colourful Semantics and the Zones of Regulation. I have supported pupils one-to-one, in classroom and social settings, as well as leading activity groups and taught phonics to small groups. I am very familiar with the ‘Read, Write, Inc.’ scheme, having taught this to pupils aged 4 to 11 for several years. I have previously volunteered in a school in Edinburgh and have some familiarity with other schemes. I am currently taking my time to research these in-depth, and am confident in my ability to teach these in a fun, engaging manner as in my previous roles. This is in addition to having used multi-sensory approaches to teaching spelling to children aged 8-11 on an individual basis, producing measureable and consistent improvements in these pupils’ spelling test scores.d
Additionally, I have supported pupils with diabetes. I have received training in diabetes care from University College London and am confident in my ability to operate insulin pumps, administer insulin and calculate food boluses.
I have spent several months working in Early Years settings as a teaching assistant in a nursery as well as in a Reception class. In the latter, I was the key worker from 15 children, being the primary adult responsible for these pupils’ emotional and social development, as well as working with each on a daily basis to help them to meet their learning outcomes. I enjoyed engaging them in active, multisensory play to enhance their learning experience.
I have been a cover supervisor in a secondary school. Here, I was a form tutor to a Year 9 (age 13-14) group, continuing this role into Year 10. I was able to quickly establush a good rapport with teenagers and supported them in approaching their school life in a positive manner. I taught lessons across the curriculum, including GCSE classes. During lockdown, I mentored pupils through regular welfare calls. Students felt comfortable talking to me and I was able to help them to develop strategies to stay motivated in their school work while maintaining good emotional health.
I enjoy planning and delivering activities for children, having done so as a volunteer for several museums across the UK, and worked as a Breakfast and After School Club assistant while studying eight years ago. I have led history, yoga, community volunteering and creative writing clubs, and look forward to the challenge of finding activities to grab any child’s interest. A keen cook myself, I have also led cookery courses, and have a passion for helping children develop the skills to eat a balanced diet for the rest of their lives. I always aim to enhance a child’s knowledge and critical thinking through hands-on learning- I will never just give a child a colouring sheet. For example, I will emphasise open-ended questioning to help the child develop their critical thinking, and as much as possible incorporate skills from across the curriculum.

My Qualifications

I have undertaken regular training to support children on the Autism Spectrum as part of my work in schools. I also hold a certificate in Managing Diabetes in Schools and Nurseries from University College London.

My Availability

I am happy to work up to 30 hours per week within the time slots indicated.

My Fees

• Babysitting from £9.00 per hour