Alison

My Summary

My Experience

Work History
Organization: Stirling Council
Date: 22/10/2019 - 20/12/2019
Job Title: Learning Support Assistant
Department: Aberfoyle Primary School

Description: Previously, I have worked at Aberfoyle Primary School working alongside the class teacher in the Primary 1-3 class. Although I was involved in all classroom activities, I worked very closely with a P.1 boy with Additional Support Needs. When working very closely with him I noticed great progress in his interpersonal skills, for example: his confidence and interaction with his peers. I have kept a daily record of all the challenges he faced and the different ways I tried to help in his progress. With my previous experience, I understand the struggles a child with ASN faces every day. It gives me great work satisfaction knowing that I have helped as best as I can to make their days a little bit easier and happier. I continue to read various forms of information regarding ASN children, thrive on new support methods, and am looking to attend any workshops or courses to help me with this in the future. I went on to attend a six-week Makaton evening course which helped me to continue to build on my years of experience working with these wonderful children. (More information on Makaton is below)

Reason for leaving: End of supply.


Organisation: Stirling Council
Date: 17/08/2018 - 17/02/2019
Job Title: Learning Support Assistant
Department: Killearn Primary School

Description Through my previous placements working with children with ASN I have gained a great understanding of various conditions, with my time there being proved to be very rewarding. I have worked at Killearn primary school as a Learning Support Assistant. I have gained great experience while working there such as supporting pupils in the classroom and outside in the playground, providing support for individual pupils and small groups. Additionally, I have helped with the pupil’s reading groups and their handwriting, as well as taking individual children out of class to complete tasks. Through my time working in Killearn Primary School I worked very closely with the class teacher by helping to plan, prepare, and organise classes. I realised that the communication with the class teacher and reporting back when monitoring the children in the playground is essential. I was also involved with a P.1 boy who had a primary language impairment. A speech and language therapist would visit P.1 once every two weeks and I would work closely with them. I provided sound cards, pictures, and games for the pupil. As well as this, when possible, I would help the pupil every day for 5-10 minutes, keeping a record of his progress. This was very rewarding as I could see a big difference in his communication. My particular skills are creative: they were used in every classroom most days. For example, helping with class topic work, displaying harvest work, making scenery and costumes for the Christmas panto, making Roald Dahl characters with P.5 pupils, and building a DIY castle with the P1’s they could enter and play with in the classroom I noticed they found this input very exciting for them.

Reason for leaving: End of a 6-month contract.


Organisation: Eco Living
Date: 15/06/1997 - 20/09/1998
Job Title: Childminder

Description: When bringing a child into one’s own home I made sure my environment was safe. As I was self-employed, I underwent a disclosure check. I gained knowledge in Food and Hygiene, Health and safety, accident reports, hazards and risks, whilst making sure my First Aid was up to date.

Reason for leaving: Family moved home.


Organisation: Family Home
Date: 16/06/1994 - 01/06/1998
Job Title: Nanny

Description: I was responsible for 1 child, taking him to and from school each day, and assisting with school homework, music, art, topics, etc. Becoming a valued member of a professional family for four years.

Reason for leaving: Started own family.



Organisation: Family Farm
Date: 19/06/1991 - 04/03/1994
Job Title: Nanny

Description: For four years I looked after 4 children aged between 1yr-8yr attending to their needs: taking them to and from Nursery and School, assisting with homework, and other after school activities. I was very much part of a lovely family and gained lots of experience operating around a range of different ages.

Reason for leaving: Family moved away.


Additional Information:
When I left school, I briefly worked at Balloch Library. All the surrounding schools visited the library daily and I was always chosen as the storyteller which was very exciting for the children and me. I also enjoyed using my creative skills to decorate the library at special times of the year, making me realize a career working with children was the way forward. I am very passionate about reading and I am also well-read on children's literature.
I attended "Computing for the terrified" course at Balfron. This helped me a great deal using touch typing when helping with administration at the schools.
Since leaving school all of my work experience has been child-related. Throughout this period, I have developed many different skills related to children, including classroom administration and basic IT skills. While child minding, I passed various training courses giving me a broad understanding child development and interaction.
Other fields of experience involved founding my own business being a children’s entertainer involving the children in drama, music, creativity, magic, hand-made puppets, and promoting self-esteem and confidence. This led to many charity performances in the many years it was active. Relating to this I have also assisted in the local brownies throughout the years. This tremendous experience led to my realization I wanted to have a career in working with children.
I am very much involved in the local community. Every year I use my creative skills for face painting, balloon modelling, treasure hunts, etc, at the local “Fintry Fling”. I also made treasure, organised games with the children at the Christmas fairs.
Through the years I have helped with the local drama groups (Tapsalteerie), making costumes and scenery and helped the children learn scripts and songs.
I also worked closely with Active Stirling, organising, and planning the after school Tops classes, being the coach the school’s netball team, all allowing me to promote my healthy outlook on life.
Furthermore, these mentioned experiences have aided in me working in the primary schools throughout the years and am able to develop a strong rapport with the pupils and teachers alike.
I have natural creative ability, encompassing all things art and music. This has proved very valuable in the past in all of the schools I have worked with.
Lastly not only do I have these skills that I have gained throughout the years, but I also have the most important set of skills: patience, good lister, being positive, and having a natural humour, which all unite to produce and environment that engages the children and boosts their self-esteem while building trust.
I am known to be cheerful while I am working. I enjoy meeting new people and bringing laughter to what I do. I am flexible, a good timekeeper, and always happy at my work.

My Qualifications

Qualification: O Level
Date: 1982
Subject and Result:
• Arithmetic – A
• History – A
• Art – A
• English – B
• Music – A
• Physical Education – A

Course Name: Incredible 5-point scale/Social Stories
Result: Pass
Date: 28/11/2019

Course Name: Pediatric First Aid
Result: Pass
Date: 24/05/2013


Course Name: Autism Awareness Training Course
Result: Pass. This course provided me with a greater understanding of autism and how to help an autistic child.
Date: 29/04/2019

Course Name: Makaton Level 1
Result: I attended Level 1 Makaton course at Forth Valley College on 12th March 2020. Due to the Coronavirus, I finished and passed the course with the whole class and teacher via the internet. It was just as effective during these unusual times.
Date 11/05/2020

Course Name: Makaton Level 2
Result: I attended Makaton Level 2 workshop which I completed and passed online.
Date 11/06/2020

Course Name: Autism Awareness
Result: I attended a high-quality, interactive Autism training course online, this has helped me recognize how children with Autism can be best supported in their settings.
Date: 19/06/2020

My Availability

Can start as soon as possible, and am available every day after school. I am flexible and am able to work some evenings and weekends if needed occasionally.

My Fees

• Nannying from £15.00 per hour (gross)

No less than £15 per hour