Summary

Overview

Work History

Education

Skills

Educational Philosophy

Professional Development

Continued professional development

References

Timeline

SARAH WHITEHEAD

Summary

Versatile and dedicated Inclusion lead with focus on individual needs of special education students. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on lessons. Exceptional skills working with teachers, parents and specialists to meet educational needs of students.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

Pre-Prep lead inclusion teacher

Brighton College Abu Dubai

08.2021 - Current

Identifying pupils with additional learning needs (SEN, EAL and G&T) through analysis of GL assessment data, observations in the classroom, conversations with teachers and administering screening assessments
Managing the provision of pupils with additional education needs, including SEN, EAL and G&T through a cycle of Assess-Plan-Do-Review
Supporting class teachers to ensure the classroom environment, teaching and learning are inclusive and where every child's individual needs are met
Collaborating with teachers to develop IEPs and Pupil Profiles and ensure Provision Maps are kept up to date
Leading and managing a team of Learning Support and Individual Assistants, upskilling them and overseeing their effective deployment, as well as being responsible for their appraisals
Working closely with the Prep-Prep School teaching and pastoral Team, influencing the strategic direction of Inclusion in the Pre-Prep School
Leading high-impact CPD for Prep School teachers and Inclusion Learning Support Assistants with a focus on developing inclusive teaching and learning
Communicating regularly with parents and other stakeholders to ensure a supportive learning environment for pupils
Reviewing and developing Inclusion policies and procedures with the Inclusion team
Planning lessons and interventions which accommodate all the pupils needs in a positive and engaging classroom.
Using creative ideas and a holistic approach to motivate the pupils.
Working with the wider community to deliver weekly CCA's, being part of action teams for pupil progress and planning curriculum events.

Inclusion teacher (primary and secondary) and Year 3 teacher

GEMS Wellington Academy, Al Khail

08.2016 - 08.2021

Working as an inclusion teacher across all phases of the school with a focus of ensuring the students successfully transition from year 6 to year 7
Administering, assessing and evaluating standardised assessments to assess barriers to learning and to provide teachers with a profile of the students needs and strategies to address these
Coordinating activities and resources within a specific area of the curriculum and within inclusion to support colleagues in the delivery of the curriculum to accomplish high achieving classrooms for all students
Planning, implementing and monitoring intervention programs to evaluate the impact they have on the progress of SEN students
To ensure that all students are fully inclusive in the school and that they have an adapted curriculum and individualised timetable
Leveling, target setting and writing reports based on assessments to provide strategic provision for SEN students and within their IEP's
Setting up and running the ASDAN life skill challenge program meeting individual needs of students.

Grade 1 teacher

SEK International School, Qatar

08.2014 - 08.2016

Creating an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program driven curriculum, working as a collaborative team to create Units of Inquiry and develop a cohesive school wide program of Inquiry
Weekly communication with parents, creating and maintaining e-portfolios as well as written portfolios, updating the Grade 1 blog.

Year 1 and 3 Teacher

GEMS Wellington International School

08.2011 - 08.2014

Planning, preparing and presenting sessions that cater for the needs of the whole ability range within the class.
Motivating pupils with enthusiastic, imaginative teaching.
Organising the classroom and learning resources to create a positive learning environment;
Assessing and leveling the students, target setting and writing reports;
Planning assemblies which demonstrated through a performance what the students had learnt.
Delivery of lessons that inspire students to succeed in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.\
Liaising and collaborating with colleagues, and parents to ensure the happiness and best academic outcomes for all children.

Special needs teacher KS2 and KS3

Greenbank School

01.2004 - 08.2011

Teaching children with a variety of special needs including ASD, EBD, SLD, MLD
Working with parents, educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, and school governors along with attending and writing annual reviews to assess the student's statement and progress.

Year 4 teacher

Dean Row County School

09.2002 - 08.2003

Planning and delivering engaging and differentiated lessons to teach English, Math, social studies, art and science which engage a variety of learners and ability levels.

ABA supervisor and Therapist

PEACH

01.2000 - 07.2001

Supervisor and therapist working with children with ASD following an ABA programme for a research programme based on Dr Loovas; Planning a behavioural program for a team of therapists to follow; Liaising with schools to integrate the student into school successfully.

Education

CPT3A Real training - Education

Middlesex University

Online

08.2024

ISENCO Award Real Training - Education

Real Training

Middlesex University, UK

04.2021

ASDAN Life skills challenge training -

ASDAN

09.2019

Registered Behaviour Technician (ABA) Relias learning, Dubai -

Relias Learning

12.2017

Postgraduate Certificate in Special Education: Autism (children) Birmingham University -

Birmingham University

08.2006

PGCE Primary with Educational Psychology and math's as main subject University of Leicester -

Leicester University

06.2002

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

University of North Wales, Bangor

06.1997