Darryl

SEND experience

My current role enables me to work with learners who attend mainstream school but find it challenging to access the national curriculum. I teach classes of 30+ children as well as one-to-one tutoring and small group interventions in Maths and English. I am innovative, enthusiastic and focused in my teaching whilst also being committed to safeguarding and promoting the education and well-being of children and young people at all times.

I have the ability to use humour and imagination in a classroom setting to help students feel at ease and to develop a supportive learning culture. I currently chair Annual Review meetings with outside agencies which include: Social Services, The Virtual School, Ethelbert Children’ Fostering Service, Foster parents, Residential Home managers and staff, Educational Psychologists, and Speech and Language Therapists.

How I teach children and young people who need to learn functional skills

At a Special School I was tasked with leading the introduction of the Functional Skills curriculum. I worked in conjunction with a qualification body in piloting Functional Skills in both Maths and English in the school. I was given the task of writing examinations for Functional Skills, English, Mathematics, and ICT at Entry levels 1, 2 and 3.

How I teach children who are at Primary school

I have also worked in a small school for Looked After Children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Many of these children have been out of education for some time and found learning frustrating creating a reluctance to learn. I enjoyed this challenge, I also believe that I demonstrate a great level of understanding of their needs and a determination in order for all the children I supported to meet their full potential. I have also worked in a mainstream primary school. My responsibilities included being subject leader for Maths, Philosophy for Children, and PE. I have the experience of teaching all subjects on the KS2 curriculum.

How I teach children and young people who are at Secondary school

I’m currently working at a mainstream Secondary School as a Deputy Senco and Maths teacher. I teach both KS3 and KS4 Maths. The levels I teach vary from children who find Maths difficult and require additional support, to learners studying Higher GCSE. I provide many Maths interventions for all learners before and after school to enable my learners to meet and exceed their expected grades.

I enjoy the one-to-one aspect of my role as it gives me the opportunity to build a positive working relationship with my learners. Much of this support gives the learners confidence to achieve their goals and gain positive results during the exam process. My results demonstrate my ability to give my learners the tools to improve their numeracy skills and boost self-esteem. I also have experience of teaching GCSE English to children who have poor literacy skills.

How I teach children and young people who are Post 16 students

In my time as a manager of the Supported Learning & The Pupil Referral Unit at a local Further Education establishment, I managed a busy team of fifty people. The students needs included Downs Syndrome, Autism, Severe Learning Difficulties, Speech & Language Difficulties, Behavioural, Emotional & Social Development Needs and Physical Disabilities. I was also the Curriculum Leader for ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network).

I taught and prepared students’ work for moderation in Towards Independence, Certificate in Lifeskills, Personal Social Development, Workright, Certificate of Personal Effectiveness; these levels start from Pre Entry Level through to GCSE. I was also responsible for all Pre 16 students at Canterbury College. Many students were referred to Canterbury College via KCC, these students very often presented challenging behaviour and resistance to learning. My role was to support these learners in their studies and provide pastoral care if they required it.