Catherine Halford
Edenbridge,Kent
Summary
Compassionate, creative and effective Deputy Head Teacher with valuable experience in leading and supporting a teaching team. Equipped with extensive background in versatile education environments. Well-versed in classroom pedagogies to meet the needs of students with SEN, including ASD, PMLD, GDD, DS and complex medical needs. Experienced in leading effective school development projects, curriculum design and development, CPD programmes, and whole school initiatives and events.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Deputy Headteacher
Heron Academy, London and South East Academy Trust
Lambeth, London
09.2024 - Current
- Developed curriculum for improved student performance.
- Streamlined administrative processes to boost efficiency.
- Collaborated with parents for enhanced student progress.
- Led staff meetings to improve team cohesion and collaboration.
- Coordinated teacher training sessions for professional growth and development.
Teaching and Learning Lead, DSL, Wellbeing Teacher
Rutherford School
South Croydon, Surrey
04.2020 - Current
- Joined in April 2020, as Wellbeing Specialist and Class Teacher.
- Promoted to senior management position in May 2022.
- Played a key role in a small leadership team that was tasked with overcoming systemic challenges and rebuilding a positive workplace culture, achieving Ofsted rating 'Good', in October 2022.
- Responsible for leading and supporting the teaching team.
- Took a lead role in developing MDT collaboration, through the design and implementation of improved systems and practices.
- Designed and developed holistic, broad and balanced 'All About Me' curriculum, and structured timetabling and lesson planning around it. Continued monitoring of efficacy of curriculum.
- Collaborated with parents and carers to support and improve student development, focusing on the co-production of bespoke programmes of learning.
- Contributed to development of SDP, working to identify areas for development, implement new strategies to address those areas, and deliver sustained and meaningful change through carefully considered CPD programmes.
- Monitored and evaluated classroom practice, supporting teachers to develop and ensure the best possible outcomes for all learners.
- Led several successful wellbeing initiatives for staff and students. Collaborated with NAC to develop wellbeing practice, contributing to their website. Led school to achieving Story Massage Centre of Excellence status, and contributed to SMP's catalogue of story massage resources.
- Worked with local schools, giving Careers Day talks to educate children about PMLD and SEN teaching, and organising and overseeing work experience placements.
- Monitored and tracked student progress through the use of qualitative and quantitative data collection systems, meeting with teachers termly to discuss progress and target setting.
- Experience of supporting students and families with EHCP processes, annual reviews and multi-agency meetings.
- Conducted regular reviews and updates of school policies.
- Supported school mission and values in daily operations and interactions.
- Introduced and led various whole school events, including World Book Day, Celebrating Technology Week and Rutherford Festival.
- Developed school practices with regards to transition in and out of setting, building links with other provisions and services. Working to promote school within local and PMLD community.
- Promoted and safeguarded the welfare of children and young people through role as DSL.
Teacher
Limpsfield Grange School
Limpsfield
09.2019 - 04.2020
- A specialist secondary school for girls with autism and communication needs
- Taught English, Maths, ICT and Humanities across all year groups
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Created lesson plans to promote maximum student engagement and learning.
- Planned and organised classrooms that consistently facilitated positive learning experience.
- Worked collaboratively with other teachers to review data and develop instructional strategies to address student learning objectives.
Freelance tutor and wellbeing teacher
Self-employed
Biggin Hill
01.2017 - 09.2019
- After having my second daughter, I pursued self-employment opportunities for a period of time, to allow me to care for my children during the day, and to work in the evenings and at weekends,
- Worked as a GCSE and A Level English tutor, planning and preparing lessons to meet individual learning need. Supported students through the exam process, ultimately helping them to reach their goals.
- Trained as a Relax Kids coach, and offered wellbeing support sessions to children, families, parents, community groups, schools and residential homes for the elderly. Sessions were bespoke, and carefully planned and resourced so that they were engaging, motivating and had a lasting impact on wellbeing.
SEN Class Teacher
Riverside School
Orpington
09.2012 - 11.2015
- Taught cohort of PMLD students
- Led a team of classroom assistants to ensure students' educational, therapeutic and personal care needs were met.
- Planned, prepared and delivered engaging and exciting lessons, using a range of sensory and specialist resources, and utilising a range of differentiated learning strategies.
- Worked in collaboration with MDT.
- Recorded and monitored student progress.
- Facilitated trips out into the community.
Education
NPQ - Leading Teacher Development
Best Practise Network
02.2023 - 02.2024
PGCE - Primary Education
Goldsmiths College, University of London
London, ENG 09.2011 - 07.2012
BA Hons - Journalism
Southampton Solent University
Southampton, STH 09.2003 - 07.2006
A-Levels - A Level Maths, English, Media Studies; AS Level Graphic Design, Critical Thinking, Psychology
Bridgwater College
Bridgwater, SOM 09.2001 - 07.2003
GCSEs - 10 GCSES graded A*-B
Chilton Trinity
Bridgwater, SOM 09.1996 - 07.2001
Skills
- Passionate about ensuring that young people with SEN have a voice, and have as much autonomy over their own lives as possible
- Recognises the responsibility educators have to share positive messages about living with SEN with the wider community, to overcome misconceptions and barriers
- Experienced in building a positive, safe and engaging learning environment, in which learners with SEN can make active choices about their education, and how leisure time is spent
- Over 15 years experience supporting people with learning disabilities, ASD, PMLD and complex learning and medical needs to learn, progress and achieve meaningful and personalised goals
- Strong team leader, with excellent communication and people skills
Affiliations
- I enjoy travel, exploring the history and culture of new places. I am currently learning European Portuguese, a hobby that I find challenging and rewarding. I like to cook, and also enjoy baking with my two daughters and stepdaughter. I have an active lifestyle, going to the gym regularly, and also enjoying country walks. I am an avid reader, my favourite genres are historical fiction and poetry. I enjoy creative writing, particularly writing poems and short stories for children.
Timeline
Deputy Headteacher
Heron Academy, London and South East Academy Trust
09.2024 - Current
NPQ - Leading Teacher Development
Best Practise Network
02.2023 - 02.2024
Teaching and Learning Lead, DSL, Wellbeing Teacher
Rutherford School
04.2020 - Current
Teacher
Limpsfield Grange School
09.2019 - 04.2020
Freelance tutor and wellbeing teacher
Self-employed
01.2017 - 09.2019
SEN Class Teacher
Riverside School
09.2012 - 11.2015
PGCE - Primary Education
Goldsmiths College, University of London
09.2011 - 07.2012
BA Hons - Journalism
Southampton Solent University
09.2003 - 07.2006
A-Levels - A Level Maths, English, Media Studies; AS Level Graphic Design, Critical Thinking, Psychology
Bridgwater College
09.2001 - 07.2003
GCSEs - 10 GCSES graded A*-B
Chilton Trinity
09.1996 - 07.2001
Similar Profiles
Hamza Hajee-sheriffHamza Hajee-sheriff
Mentor at East London Boxing AcademyMentor at East London Boxing Academy
Amy HollinrakeAmy Hollinrake
Head of Year at East Midlands Academy TrustHead of Year at East Midlands Academy Trust
GLECERIE ANN YLAYAGLECERIE ANN YLAYA
Patient Care Coordinator at East London NHS Foundation TrustPatient Care Coordinator at East London NHS Foundation Trust