Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
LANGUAGES
References
Timeline
Generic

Francesca Downes

Newport

Summary

Education professional with expertise in creating engaging and inclusive learning environments. Proficient in developing customised educational programs that address diverse learner needs through innovative teaching methods. Experienced in leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences and drive improved student outcomes.

Overview

2
2
Languages
7
7
years of post-secondary education
20
20
years of professional experience

Work history

Learning mentor

St Mary Redcliffe and Temple Secondary School
Bristol, Bristol
2024.09 - Current
  • Provide psychologically minded, evidence-based weekly 1:1 and

group sessions to pupils. Sessions include, but are not limited to,

anxiety, resilience, understanding self, emotional regulation, and

EBSA.

● Production of resources, tracking progress, and recording feedback.

Chair, and attend TAF and TAC meetings with MDT's surrounding

individual pupils.

● Chair, and attend internal meetings with staff and parents..

Make referrals to outside agencies such as CAMHs, Social Services,

local charities, and organisations.

Provide advice and support to colleagues and parents, as well as

signposting to external agencies where needed.

Maintaining and developing relationships with external agencies

whilst advocating for pupils and their families.

Implement a stepped-care model utilising a biopsychosocial

formulation when providing interventions and referrals to pupils.

Manage my caseload whilst prioritising day-to-day incidents as they

arise.

Provide mental health first aid where appropriate

Enhanced educational and well-being outcomes by delegating

responsibilities and supporting tutors to optimise student learning

experiences.

Complete risk assessments and contextualised safety plans within the

school setting, provide safeguarding support and record incidents.

Employ data analysis programs to evaluate student performance

metrics and ensure safeguarding concerns are addressed.

Effectively communicate with staff, parents, pupils, and outside

agencies in both written and oral communication.

Adapt communication style to suit diverse situations, utilising effective

verbal and body language to de-escalate conflicts with dysregulated

autistic pupils.

Deliver training on mental health and neurodiversity to staff during

inset days.

Behaviour and Safeguarding Support Worker and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Sir Bernard Lovell Academy
Oldland Common
2022.09 - 2024.02
  • To promote and reinforce the school behaviour and safeguarding policies.
  • To support the Behaviour Manager to ensure the needs of individual students are being met.
  • To work with the DSL as part of the Safeguarding Team to ensure that the strategic and day-to-day work of safeguarding is effective, schecking CPOMS and acting accordingly.
  • To support the Behaviour Manager to facilitate the daily running of the isolation room, ensuring there is continuity of staffing throughout the day. Ensure the expectations of this environment are maintained.
  • To liaise with staff, students and parents to provide key information, advice and guidance to resolve behavioural and social issues.
  • To liaise effectively with external agencies as required, including supporting with Referrals, attending safeguarding meetings (CIN / CP / Core groups)
  • Sending ART referrals / School nurse referrals and communicating effectively and within a timely fashion to other outside organisations that are needed.
  • To provide proactive and positive behaviour support for key students, this may include; individual support, small group work, classroom support and student observations.
  • To monitor the tracking systems associated with the Academy’s behaviour systems.
  • To support the DSL in ensuring that all statutory safeguarding requirements are in place.
  • To undertake appropriate training to the recognised level for a DSL, South Gloucestershire Council –Advanced Child Protection (Previously Advanced Inter Agency Child Protection)
  • To assist with break time supervision of students.
  • To be pro-active in changes to standards and legislation and ensure compliance.
  • When needed provide support with the running of the isolation room, sending messages / emails / making phone calls.
  • Assisting with any administration tasks that are required.

Teaching Assistant

Chipping Sodbury Secondary School
Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire
2015.02 - 2022.07
  • Under the guidance of the teaching staff and SENCo, provide direct support for the learning of individual children or groups of children, including those with special needs, to promote the attainment of standards in learning and behaviour within SEN and across the Academy.
  • Implementing learning activities/teaching programmes as directed by the teacher, adjusting activities and differentiating approach and resources according to student needs.
  • Participate in the planning and evaluation of learning activities with the teacher, providing feedback to the teacher on pupil progress and behaviour.
  • Support teachers in monitoring, assessing and recoding pupil progress/activities.
  • Assist in the creation, development and review of individual pupil development plans (such as Education and Health Care Plans – EHCPs)
  • Provide feedback to students in relation to attainment and progress under the guidance of the teacher.
  • Support learning by arranging/providing resources for lessons/activities under the direction of the teacher.
  • Support students in social and emotional well being, reporting problems to the teacher as appropriate.
  • Liaise with appropriate external agencies and parents and carers as required by the class teacher or Academy Leadership Team
  • Understand and support independent learning and inclusion of all students.
  • Liaise with and support educational and therapeutic professionals in their delivery of specialist support programmes.
  • Invigilate exams and assessments.
  • Assist in escorting and supervising students on educational visits and out of school activities.
  • Select, prepare and clear away classroom materials and learning areas ensuring they are available for use, including developing and presenting displays.
  • Support students in developing and implementing their own personal and social development.
  • Assist students with eating, dressing and hygiene as required, whilst encouraging independence
  • Participate in staff, team and planning meetings.
  • Supervise students between lessons and when entering and leaving the Academy site.
  • Monitor and manage stock and supplies for the classroom.
  • Subject to receiving appropriate training, to contribute to the Academy’s First Aid provision.
  • Any other such duties may from time to time be reasonably required by the SENCo, Associate Assistant Principal or Head of School. Support all Interventions Across the Academy
  • Planning for and providing 1 to 1 and small group intervention as directed by the SENCo.
  • Providing in class support for some students as identified by the SENCo. Support for the Learning Environment Under guidance of the line manager, prepare, store, retrieve, sort and display materials, finished work, equipment, topic work plans and/or assignment documents to assist in providing an effective learning environment to:
  • Facilitate the required standards of achievement and performance, including feedback through structured assessment, for individuals and groups within the classroom.
  • Support the development of continuous improvement in both personal performance in the job and the work of the team.
  • Assist in the development, monitoring, reviewing and progress of children’s individual learning and support plans.
  • Support invigilation and assessment processes, following procedures and under supervision. Care and Support for Children Attend to the day to day needs of children, inside and outside the classroom by:
  • Daily/weekly interventions to promote the attainment of goals as defined by outside professionals such as Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses and Doctors
  • Report any concerns about students via CPOMs.

Customer Assistant

Marks and Spencers
Longwell Green, South Gloucestershire
2006.10 - 2015.02
  • To deliver a great shopping experience for their customers, putting customers first every time.
  • Champion new ways of working within stores through an open mindset and positive attitude.
  • Serve and sell across all channels brilliantly well.
  • Be the voice of our customer to help us continually improve.
  • Deliver ‘best in town’ standards through presentation standards, availability and keeping the store clean and tidy.
  • Skilled to utilise all digital tools and communication channels to do the job.
  • Share customer and colleague feedback to help us do things better
  • Share knowledge and experience with colleagues to support others in building skill and confidence.
  • Own their own learning & development and proactively access digital learning solutions.
  • Know the daily sales targets, priorities, promotions & selling opportunities.
  • Have great product knowledge to sell and recommend our products and services.
  • Proactively engage with customers to understand their needs and make recommendations.
  • Understand the store priorities and their part to play.
  • Complete tasks with pace and in line with SOPs.
  • Minimise cost and waste through good process practice.
  • Follow safe and legal working practices.

Special Needs Counselor

Camp Red Leaf Special Needs camp
Chicago, USA
2013.06 - 2013.09
  • This allowed me to experience on the job training.
  • Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
  • Worked flexible hours, covering nights, weekends and bank holidays.
  • Oversaw daily operations to achieve high productivity levels.
  • Cleaned work areas and equipment to maintain faultless hygiene standards.

Education

GCSE - Child Development, English Language, Geography, Physical Education, Science, German, Music, Mathematics

Oldfield Girls School
Bath
1999.09 - 2004.06

AQA - Supporting and Teaching learning in schools

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
Bristol
2015.09 - 2016.07

BTEC - Outdoor Education

City of Bristol College
Bristol
2004.09 - 2006.07

Skills

  • Teaching assistant
  • Rowing coach
  • Canoe coaching
  • Youth mental health support
  • Team Teach certification

LANGUAGES

English
BSL - Level 1

References

REFERENCES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

Timeline

Learning mentor

St Mary Redcliffe and Temple Secondary School
2024.09 - Current

Behaviour and Safeguarding Support Worker and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Sir Bernard Lovell Academy
2022.09 - 2024.02

AQA - Supporting and Teaching learning in schools

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
2015.09 - 2016.07

Teaching Assistant

Chipping Sodbury Secondary School
2015.02 - 2022.07

Special Needs Counselor

Camp Red Leaf Special Needs camp
2013.06 - 2013.09

Customer Assistant

Marks and Spencers
2006.10 - 2015.02

BTEC - Outdoor Education

City of Bristol College
2004.09 - 2006.07

GCSE - Child Development, English Language, Geography, Physical Education, Science, German, Music, Mathematics

Oldfield Girls School
1999.09 - 2004.06
Francesca Downes