Helen Frisby-Keer
Horley,Surrey
Summary
Experienced educator and trainee play therapist with a background in supporting children and young people with additional and complex needs across mainstream and specialist education settings. Skilled in building positive relationships with children, families, and school-based professionals and in delivering group-based activities that support wellbeing and engagement. Experienced in working collaboratively within school and multi-professional environments, with a strong focus on inclusion, communication, and child-centered practice. Currently developing practice in therapeutic play to support emotional and social development of children.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Sessional play worker
Action for Carers
12.2024 - 04.2026
- Facilitated group-based play and engagement activities to support children’s wellbeing, social interaction, safety and participation.
- Maintained safe environments through safeguarding and active supervision.
- Supported positive behaviour and social interaction using child-centred approaches.
- Established positive relationships with young carers.
Part-time music Teacher
St Clement’s Primary School
Epsom
01.2020 - 04.2026
- Taught music theory, ukulele, and glockenspiel to KS1 and KS2 pupils, including early years.
- Ran and coordinated a KS2 ukulele club to support engagement and participation.
- Organised musical showcases and performances for parents and the school community.
- Assessed pupil progress and provided feedback to support development.
Part-time music teacher and music leader
Woodmansterne Primary School
Banstead, Surrey
09.2018 - 04.2026
Music Lead
- Responsible for planning and delivering the music curriculum across Nursery, KS1 and KS2
- Led and coordinated school music enrichment clubs including choir, recorder, ukulele, and KS1 music groups
- Planned and delivered school performances and events including assemblies and concerts showcasing pupil achievement
- Organised choir trips for up to 90 pupils, including risk assessments and transport coordination
- Provided CPD and team-teaching to staff to support consistent delivery of music education
- Delivered a funded music enrichment programme over three years, increasing access to instrumental learning for pupils on Pupil Premium
- Implemented small-group instrumental tuition (flute and violin) to support inclusion and participation
- Led choir rehearsals, supporting vocal development, confidence, and performance skills
- Managed music resources and budget allocation
Music Teacher (2 days a week)
Yattendon School
04.2020 - 08.2021
- Planned and delivered the music curriculum for pupils aged 7–11, including assessment and progress tracking.
- Designed and implemented a new music scheme and developed supporting resources, including knowledge organisers.
- Adapted teaching (including online delivery during Covid) to meet a range of learning needs and abilities.
- Led extracurricular music clubs, providing additional opportunities for pupil engagement and participation.
- Produced reports on pupil progress to support attainment and development.
Early Years, KS1 and KS2 tutor
self employed
08.2016 - 05.2020
- Delivered one-to-one and small group tutoring to support pupil progress and learning.
- Adapted teaching approaches to meet individual learning needs and maintain engagement.
- Provided feedback to pupils and parents to support progress and goal setting.
- Maintained records of sessions and pupil progress for monitoring and reporting.
Beebopper's Music and Stories
Self employed
01.2017 - 04.2020
- Developed songs, stories, and rhymes for early years and preschool musicians.
Led engaging musical sessions for babies, children, parents, and caregivers. - Responsible for creating risk assessments, data protection handling and advertising.
Year 1 class teacher
Priory Prep School
Banstead, Surrey
09.2011 - 07.2015
- Responsible for planning, teaching, and assessment of a KS1 class across the curriculum.Maintained records of pupil progress, attendance, and behaviour.
- Adapted teaching approaches to support diverse learning needs and promote inclusive education.
- Built positive relationships with pupils, parents, and school staff.
TA and Supply Teacher
Surrey Teaching Centre at The Children’s Trust
10.2009 - 07.2011
- Worked across a special school and medical PRU, covering class teaching during staff absence and supporting continuity of learning.
- Coordinated and led school music sessions and supported the delivery of a Christmas concert performance.
- Continued to volunteer following redundancy due to school reorganisation and closure.
SLD Supply Teacher
Kismul School Limited
Surbiton
06.2010 - 07.2010
- Provided short-term cover teaching a class of pupils aged 13–16 with autism, global developmental delay, and SLD in a residential specialist setting.
- Supported pupils with complex needs and challenging behaviour, maintaining a safe and structured learning environment.
Supply Teacher
Tadworth School
02.2010 - 07.2010
- During this time, I was the school's regular supply teacher.
- Starting a permanent position working one to one with a child with an acquired brain injury.
Year 1 Class Teacher
St Joseph’s RC Primary School
Redhill
09.2009 - 12.2009
- Responsible for the planning, teaching and assessment of children in my class including children with SEN and challenging behaviour.
- Responsible for teaching LA and SEN children across year group for Literacy and Numeracy.
Family Support Worker
Kingston County Council
03.2007 - 08.2008
- .Supported children with additional needs in play-based and educational settings.
Worked with families and professionals to support development and wellbeing.
Created safe and inclusive environments.
Disability Challengers
Surrey County Council
12.2004 - 08.2005
- P/T SEN Playworker for children with physical, cognitive, and behavioural disabilities.
- Supported children with additional needs in play-based and educational settings.
Worked with families and professionals to support development and wellbeing.
Created safe and inclusive environments.
Education
PGCE - Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy
University of Chichester
Chichester, WSX2026
PGCE - Primary: Early Years, EYFS, KS1
Roehampton University
Surrey07-2009
BA - Music and Music with Creative Technologies
Kingston University
Kingston upon Thames, Surrey07-2008
A Levels -
Reigate College
Reigate, Surrey07-2005
GCSE - GCSE
Prince Rupert School
Rinteln, Germany07-2002
Skills
- Building trusting, consistent relationships with children, young people, and families
- Collaborative working with school staff, families, and education teams
- Working within multi-professional school environments and systems
- Supporting engagement and participation through clear communication
- Planning and delivering structured group-based activities and programmes
- Designing inclusive activities that support engagement, wellbeing, and participation
- Adapting sessions for diverse emotional, learning, and developmental needs
- Coordinating enrichment and creative group activities
- Supporting emotional regulation using child-centred and positive approaches
- Supporting children with additional and complex needs
- Safeguarding awareness and safe practice in education settings
- Understanding of child development and emotional wellbeing needs
References
Miss Georgia Geary, Head Teacher of current employment
Woodmansterne Primary School, Banstead, Surrey, SM7 3HU,
Telephone: 01737 363423,
Email: school@wps.org.uk
Irma Chappell, Head Teacher of current employment
Fennells Mead, West Ewell, Surrey, KT17 1TX,
Email: info@stclements.surrey.sch.uk,
Telephone: 020 8393 8789
Additional Information
- Full UK Driving Licence
- Experience across mainstream, SEN, PRU, and residential settings
Timeline
Sessional play worker
Action for Carers
12.2024 - 04.2026
Music Teacher (2 days a week)
Yattendon School
04.2020 - 08.2021
Part-time music Teacher
St Clement’s Primary School
01.2020 - 04.2026
Part-time music teacher and music leader
Woodmansterne Primary School
09.2018 - 04.2026
Beebopper's Music and Stories
Self employed
01.2017 - 04.2020
Early Years, KS1 and KS2 tutor
self employed
08.2016 - 05.2020
Year 1 class teacher
Priory Prep School
09.2011 - 07.2015
SLD Supply Teacher
Kismul School Limited
06.2010 - 07.2010
Supply Teacher
Tadworth School
02.2010 - 07.2010
TA and Supply Teacher
Surrey Teaching Centre at The Children’s Trust
10.2009 - 07.2011
Year 1 Class Teacher
St Joseph’s RC Primary School
09.2009 - 12.2009
Family Support Worker
Kingston County Council
03.2007 - 08.2008
Disability Challengers
Surrey County Council
12.2004 - 08.2005
PGCE - Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy
University of Chichester
PGCE - Primary: Early Years, EYFS, KS1
Roehampton University
BA - Music and Music with Creative Technologies
Kingston University
A Levels -
Reigate College
GCSE - GCSE
Prince Rupert School