Specialist Teacher
I completed my Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and gained Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in 2004 and since then I have gathered a wide range of expertise through teaching autistic pupils in a wide range of settings. This has included teaching in mainstream schools, special schools and internationally as well as setting up and establishing additionally resourced bases for autistic pupils within mainstream settings and teaching overseas.
I have over 8 years’ experience working as a peripatetic specialist autism teacher in two different local authorities in the north east, This has meant working across settings (from 3-18 year olds) to give advice, guidance and training to staff to improve their knowledge and understanding of autistic pupils and how best to support them in their education environment and working in multidisciplinary teams with professionals from health and social care. This has included writing reports for Education Health Care Needs Assessments, supporting pupils who are unable to attend settings due to school-induced anxiety, trauma and burnout, supporting young people to understand what their diagnoses mean for themselves, developing individual’s skills in emotional regulation and more.
I completed my Masters of Education (MEd) in Autism with the University of Birmingham, graduating with a Merit, in 2020. I continue to strive to keep my knowledge and understanding up to date through regular attendance at conferences and courses with a particular focus on those designed, planned and delivered by autistic individuals.
I am committed to working with autistic young people and their families to ensure that they have a strong understanding of self, an affirming support network and an inclusive, nurturing and supportive education experience.