Catherine Donnelly
Dungannon,County Tyrone
Summary
Enthusiastic and dedicated Primary Teacher with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), committed to creating inclusive, engaging, and nurturing learning environments where every child can thrive. Passionate about promoting active, healthy lifestyles and supporting pupils’ academic, social, and emotional development through high-quality teaching and positive relationships.
I bring experience across mainstream classrooms and specialist SEND provisions, including supporting pupils with ASD, speech and language needs, and complex medical needs. My background in both education and healthcare has strengthened my communication, organisation, adaptability, and pastoral care skills, enabling me to provide compassionate and child-centred support while maintaining high professional standards.
Personal experiences have shaped me into a resilient, empathetic, and reflective practitioner who understands the importance of making every child feel safe, valued, and supported. I am committed to inspiring confidence, fostering a love of learning, and helping all pupils reach their full potential through inclusive and engaging teaching.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher in a Primary School
St Patricks Primary school Dungannon
DUNGANNON, TYRONE
09.2025 - Current
- Worked as a general substitute teacher across a range of year groups, with primary responsibility for Primary 5 classes.
- Planned and delivered engaging lessons in line with the Northern Ireland Curriculum, ensuring continuity of learning during staff absences.
- Managed classroom behaviour effectively and created a positive, inclusive learning environment.
- Regularly supported pupils within the school’s ASD/SEN Unit on Fridays, adapting teaching approaches and resources to meet individual learning needs.
- Collaborated with teaching staff and classroom assistants to provide tailored support and promote pupil engagement and progress.
- Demonstrated flexibility, professionalism, and the ability to quickly build positive relationships with pupils and colleagues.
Student Teacher
Birkenhead High School Academy & Devonshire Park
England
09.2024 - 06.2025
- Completed Key Stage 1 teaching placements, planning and delivering engaging lessons in line with the curriculum.
- Gained extensive experience supporting pupils with a wide range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), adapting teaching and resources to meet individual needs.
- At Devonshire Park Primary School, worked within a specialist Speech and Language Base, supporting children with significant communication needs through differentiated teaching, visual supports, scaffolded activities, and close collaboration with therapists and teaching assistants.
- At Birkenhead High School Academy, supported pupils with social, emotional, and behavioural needs, providing one-to-one and small-group interventions while using positive behaviour management and restorative approaches to encourage engagement and wellbeing.
- Worked collaboratively with SENCOs, pastoral staff, and multidisciplinary professionals to promote inclusive practice and ensure all pupils could access the curriculum.
- Developed strong skills in differentiation, behaviour management, inclusive teaching, and building positive relationships to support pupils’ academic, social, and emotional development
Classroom Assistant
Roan St Patricks
DUNGANNON
09.2023 - 06.2024
- Supported teaching and learning through one-to-one interventions and small group work, helping pupils make progress across the curriculum.
- Built positive relationships with pupils, providing ongoing academic and emotional support to promote confidence and wellbeing.
- Maintained high standards of behaviour management through positive reinforcement and restorative approaches, creating a safe and productive learning environment.
- Supervised pupils during classroom activities, break times, educational visits, and extracurricular events, ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
- Adapted learning activities and resources to meet the needs of SEND pupils, ensuring inclusive access to education.
- Assisted with reading, homework support, ICT-based learning, and developing engaging classroom displays to enhance pupil learning experiences.
- Monitored pupil progress, effectively communicated achievements and concerns to class teachers and support staff, fostering collaborative support for student development.
- Followed safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, and school policies at all times.
- Administered first aid and provided appropriate care for pupils when required.
- Supported pupil with Type 1 Diabetes by monitoring blood glucose, responding to hypo- and hyperglycaemic episodes, administering insulin or fast-acting glucose as per healthcare plan, and liaising with school staff and parents to ensure safety and independence.
Education
Level 7 - Postgraduate Certificate in Education with QTS- Primary Education with PE
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool01-2025
Bachelor of Science - Health Physiology
Ulster University
Jordanstown01-2022
Skills
- Curriculum planning
- Literacy and numeracy teaching
- Phonics instruction
- Learning differentiation
- Inclusive teaching
- Child protection knowledge
- Pupil assessment tracking
- Intervention delivery
- Classroom management
- Classroom adaptability
- PE lesson planning
- Physical literacy promotion
- Sports activity organisation
- Encouraging physical participation
- ICT integration
- Organisation and time management
- Pupil well-being support
- First aid support
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Relationship building
- Collaborative teamwork
- Professional development commitment
Timeline
Teacher in a Primary School
St Patricks Primary school Dungannon
09.2025 - Current
Student Teacher
Birkenhead High School Academy & Devonshire Park
09.2024 - 06.2025
Classroom Assistant
Roan St Patricks
09.2023 - 06.2024
Level 7 - Postgraduate Certificate in Education with QTS- Primary Education with PE
Liverpool John Moores University
Bachelor of Science - Health Physiology
Ulster University