Julie

My experience with special educational needs

Throughout my teaching and tutoring career, I have worked with many students with a wide range of special educational needs, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. As both a classroom teacher and one-to-one tutor, I have learned that every student is different. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, I adapt my teaching to suit the individual, building trust first and then creating lessons that allow students to experience success and regain confidence in their abilities. I particularly enjoy working with students who have become anxious about education or who have lost confidence in themselves. Seeing a young person go from believing they "can't do English" to achieving things they never thought possible is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

A bit about me

I have spent over 20 years working with young people in both the classroom and through one-to-one tuition. Throughout my career I have supported students with SEND, anxiety, low confidence and a range of barriers to learning. One of the things I enjoy most about teaching is finding the approach that works for the individual. I once worked with a severely autistic student whose interests were limited almost entirely to Thomas the Tank Engine and classic sitcoms. To help him access GCSE English, I adapted texts such as An Inspector Calls and Macbeth around those interests. Seeing him engage with learning in a way that felt meaningful to him remains one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Students often describe me as approachable, patient and someone they feel comfortable talking to. I believe young people learn best when they feel safe, understood and respected.

My teaching philosophy

My approach is simple: relationships come first. Before any meaningful learning can take place, students need to feel comfortable, understood and confident that they can succeed. I take time to get to know each learner, their strengths, their challenges and what motivates them. I believe there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to education. Some students need structure and routine, while others need creativity, flexibility and opportunities to experience success in small steps. My role is to adapt my teaching to suit the learner rather than expecting the learner to adapt to me. Whether I am supporting a student with SEND, anxiety, school avoidance or gaps in learning, my aim is always the same: to build confidence, develop independence and help them achieve more than they thought possible. Above all, I want students to leave a session feeling successful, encouraged and ready to tackle the next challenge.

Schedule

Tutoring specialisation

I’m providing tutoring sessions for students with these educational needs: