Rebecca

My experience with special educational needs

I am a qualified primary and SEN teacher with over 10 years’ experience working with children in both specialist SEN schools and mainstream primary schools. Throughout my teaching career, I have supported children with a wide range of special educational needs, including dyslexia, autism, ADHD, speech and language difficulties, PMLD and a range of learning and developmental needs. I have experience adapting the curriculum, planning and delivering targeted support, and using different strategies to help children overcome barriers to learning. I have worked with children with a wide range of abilities and needs, both within the classroom and through more individualised support. My experience across both specialist and mainstream settings has given me a broad understanding of the different ways SEN can affect a child's learning and their experience at school.

A bit about me

I’m a mum of two boys, one of whom is dyslexic, giving me personal experience of supporting a child with additional needs at home and alongside school. I have also been a personal carer for my disabled mother, giving me a real understanding of patience, empathy, dignity and seeing the person rather than the disability. My interest in supporting children with SEN began early in life. My parents ran a children’s home for children with disabilities, so I grew up surrounded by children with different needs and abilities. This shaped my belief that everyone should be treated equally, valued for who they are and given the opportunity to thrive. I am also a qualified teacher with extensive experience supporting children with additional needs. I love helping children discover what they can do, especially when they have struggled with learning. Building confidence and helping children feel understood is just as important to me as academic progress.

My teaching philosophy

I aim to make learning feel positive, achievable and fun. I break learning down into manageable steps and adapt my teaching to suit each child. I use a range of approaches, including practical activities, visual resources, repetition and multisensory learning, particularly when supporting children with additional needs. Building confidence is an important part of my approach. I want children to feel capable and understand that it is okay to make mistakes. I celebrate progress, however small, and encourage children to recognise their own strengths. Ultimately, I want children to finish each session feeling successful, more confident and hopefully a little more excited about learning than when they started.

Schedule

Tutoring specialisation

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