Harriet Symms
Leeds
Summary
Experienced and compassionate teaching professional with a strong background in designing and delivering trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions for vulnerable and at-risk young people. I am deeply committed to creating inclusive, safe learning environments where all children can thrive. With over 11 years experience in varied education settings, I take a holistic approach to support, tailoring strategies to individual needs. Passionate about improving outcomes for disadvantaged learners and fostering collaboration among educators, families and external professionals.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Offender Behaviour Programme Facilitator
MITIE - HMPPS
, North Yorkshire
2025.03 - Current
- Developed workshop materials to enhance participant understanding.
- Adapted facilitation style to suit varying audience needs.
- Collaborated closely with co-facilitators for seamless event progression.
- Navigated sensitive topics with tact and discretion, maintaining a respectful dialogue space.
- Facilitated group discussions for effective communication.
- Managed conflict within groups, ensuring smooth operation.
- Coordinated logistics for successful workshops and events.
- Planned sessions following programme requirements and determined ways to deliver sessions to meet participant needs.
Education Inclusion Mentor (Fixed Term Contact)
St Giles Trust
Leeds, West Yorkshire
2023.08 - 2025.03
- Created and delivered tailored training sessions for staff and parents on topics including trauma-informed practices, communication strategies, drug and alcohol misuse and inclusive education.
- Identified and assessed mentees' strengths, weaknesses and areas for development to create tailored mentoring plans.
- Work alongside schools, social workers, youth services and other relevant agencies to create a multi-agency support network for young people.
- Deliver both one-on-one and group interventions designed to reduce risk factors associated with violence, focusing on building resilience, improving emotional regulation and developing healthy relationships.
Teaching Professional (Maternity Cover)
Five Rivers Childcare
Leeds, West Yorkshire
2022.03 - 2023.08
- Performed administrative activities such as taking attendance, marking assignments and maintaining student records.
- Planned and organised classrooms that consistently facilitated a positive learning experience.
- Administered assessments to determine each student's specific educational and social needs.
- Preserved the confidentiality of student records and information at all times.
- Promoted physical, mental and social development by implementing classroom games and outdoor recreational activities.
- Planned and implemented creative lessons in accordance with guidelines.
- Established strong, trusting relationships with young people / residents to provide emotional support, stability and guidance.
- Cooperated with support staff to create holistic intervention plans.
- Assessed student progress regularly, providing constructive feedback on areas for improvement.
- Ensured compliance with national curriculum standards whilst delivering lessons across all subject areas.
SEN Teacher (left due to an abrupt relocation)
Autism Wessex
Bournemouth, England
2021.09 - 2022.01
- Built positive, supportive relationships with students to develop feelings of confidence and security in the classroom environment.
- Tailored lesson content and resources to special needs requirements to optimise learning potential.
- Created and delivered bespoke lesson plans to best meet student needs and aid positive progress towards educational goals.
- Maintained continued professional development to offer best possible student care, aiding optimal educational growth.
- Assessed students' behaviour within the learning environment to determine and produce appropriate learning action plans for optimised results.
- Mentored and Line managed 5 Teaching Assistants.
- Liaised with external agencies to ensure the best possible care for my students.
- Planned, prepared and delivered a differentiated curriculum to suit the variety of needs within the classroom.
Nursery Assistant
Ringwood Day Nursery
2017.01 - 2021.08
- Provided outstanding levels of care, receiving continued praise for children's happiness and development.
- Monitored children's interactions in group settings to ensure safety and encourage sharing and cooperation.
- Built positive relationships with parents, communicating updates of their child's wellbeing.
- Assisted children with special needs to ensure inclusive learning opportunities.
- Utilised in-depth knowledge of safe-guarding to ensure relevant guidelines were implemented and adhered to.
- Managed children's behaviour by applying the appropriate techniques.
Customer Services Advisor
RIAS Insurance
2014.01 - 2014.08
- Recorded and processed data employing attention to detail to ensure error-free information.
- Suggested new product options to customers requesting service cancellations, improving customer retention.
- Generated sales and inventory reports in Excel with data from variety of sources.
- Received inbound calls from customers, providing information regarding services or products, taking new orders and cancelling accounts.
Education
PGCE - Primary -
University of Winchester
Winchester 2020.09 - 2021.07
BA Hons TOP UP - Dance
Arts University Bournemouth
Bournemouth 2019.09 - 2020.07
Foundation Degree in Arts -
Arts University Bournemouth
Bournemouth 2017.09 - 2019.07
Diploma - Performing Arts
Bournemouth and Poole College
Poole 2015.09 - 2017.07
Diploma - Business Marketing and Management
Bournemouth and Poole College
Poole 2013.09 - 2014.07
GCSE -
Ringwood School
Ringwood, HAMSkills
- Verbal and written communication
- Scheduling
- Training
- Critical Thinking
- Project Management
- Networking
- Partnership Building
- Understanding individual learning styles
- Emotional intelligence
- Inclusive learning techniques
- Organisation
- Public speaking
Accomplishments
- Project Management: Organised and executed a six-week SAFER summer school project for at-risk youth, showcasing strong project management and cross-agency collaboration skills.
- Best Practice Recognition: Developed record-keeping methods as an Education Inclusion Mentor, later adopted as regional best practices by the Leeds Safe Task Force.
- Training and Development Expertise: Designed and delivered training sessions on trauma, communication strategies and inclusivity for staff working with complex needs and trauma-affected children.
- Business and Leadership: Successfully run a holistic, well-being business alongside current professional roles, demonstrating commitment to people’s well-being.
- Exceptional Team Leadership: Managed a team, fostering collaboration to deliver differentiated, curriculum-aligned education for students with complex needs.
Certification
- Qualified Teacher Status: Awarded by the Department for Education in 2021.
- Level 5 Trauma-Informed Practitioner (In Progress): Expected completion, June 2025, accredited by ACCPH.
Timeline
Offender Behaviour Programme Facilitator
MITIE - HMPPS
2025.03 - Current
Education Inclusion Mentor (Fixed Term Contact)
St Giles Trust
2023.08 - 2025.03
Teaching Professional (Maternity Cover)
Five Rivers Childcare
2022.03 - 2023.08
SEN Teacher (left due to an abrupt relocation)
Autism Wessex
2021.09 - 2022.01
PGCE - Primary -
University of Winchester
2020.09 - 2021.07
BA Hons TOP UP - Dance
Arts University Bournemouth
2019.09 - 2020.07
Foundation Degree in Arts -
Arts University Bournemouth
2017.09 - 2019.07
Nursery Assistant
Ringwood Day Nursery
2017.01 - 2021.08
Diploma - Performing Arts
Bournemouth and Poole College
2015.09 - 2017.07
Customer Services Advisor
RIAS Insurance
2014.01 - 2014.08
Diploma - Business Marketing and Management
Bournemouth and Poole College
2013.09 - 2014.07
GCSE -
Ringwood School