I qualified with the National SENCo Award in 2014 and have the privilege to oversee the SEND provision at Crossley Heath.

My role is to work with students, parents/carers, trustees and school and external agency colleagues to coordinate the best possible support for meeting the needs of students with special educational needs. My philosophy has always been to have a student and family centred approach through which their views are heard and form the basis of support planning. I recognise the importance of creating and maintaining positive relationships with students, their families and other agencies in supporting students to achieve their goals and aspirations.

I lead a dedicated team of support staff who are committed to building positive relationships with our SEND students, their families and other supporting adults. At the heart of this process is a genuinely warm, caring and nurturing approach to our day-to-day work and interaction.

I am very passionate to ensure that students get the support, intervention and arrangements that they need to achieve their potential and I find joy in making a positive impact on the lives of children with special educational needs. I have the privilege to work with a diverse group of children who have unique learning needs. I am very proud to work at Crossley Heath. I believe there should be no barriers to learning and everyone should have the same opportunities. I have developed areas of specialism in Children’s Mental Health, SEN, ASC, ADHD, Exam Anxiety & Exam Access Arrangements.

When I’m not at work you will find me somewhere in the great outdoors, usually North Yorkshire with my two children and my husband of 21 years.

I have been working with SEN students now for over 10 years and it’s my passion and mission to make school an inclusive environment for all students to be able to thrive and succeed in.

My roles over time have varied between teaching assisting, mentoring, mental health work and teaching fitness and dance. I have qualifications as a TA, HLTA, dance teacher and also in counselling at levels 2 and 3.

My passions outside of school are dance, live music, being a DJ, mindfulness, yoga and much more!

I work in our SEND department as a Learning Support Assistant. I have a training and accreditation in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties, Autism and Understanding Mental Health First Aid & Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace. I have worked at Crossley Heath for four years now, but this new role is one I have a lot of passion for. My main focus is to support our neurodivergent students in all aspects of their development, to ensure they have access to appropriate educational experiences that can lead to happiness and positive next steps as young adults.

Outside of work, I am mum to a young man who has ADHD. I love all things active, walking, running and I play rugby league.

I have 31 years of experience as a Science teacher and, having taken semi-retirement, enjoy my role here at Crossley Heath helping students make positive progress in their learning and development. In addition to general learning support, I deliver targeted specialist Science interventions to students who may require it.

I love music, going to concerts, travelling and animals.