Karen Leask
Wallsend,Tyne and Wear
Summary
Dedicated professional with extensive expertise in supporting Special Education Needs (SEN) students and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) environments. Demonstrates proficiency in Makaton language use, safeguarding awareness, and child protection procedures implementation. Skilled in managing transitions, tactile learning support, and inclusive learning techniques to enhance child engagement. Committed to maintaining confidentiality and upholding high standards of hygiene control and medication assistance. Holds a DBS check clearance and First Aid certification, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for all children.
Compassionate individual with extensive experience working with children in early years setting. Develops and maintains strong partnerships with parents and carers to facilitate day-to-day caring of children. Committed to making positive impact on young people's lives.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
24
24
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Early years practitioner
Battlehill Primary School
Wallsend, Tyne and Wear
2023.06 - Current
- Fostered parent-child relationships through regular communication about progress and concerns.
- Enhanced learning outcomes with implementation of early years foundation stage curriculum.
- Dealt swiftly with challenging behaviour, ensuring minimal disruption to daily routine.
- Conducted interactive circle time sessions to boost confidence levels amongst shy children.
- Integrated new students into the existing groups smoothly reducing separation anxiety.
- Provided emotional support to distressed children, ensuring a comforting environment.
- Responded quickly during emergencies or accidents, guaranteeing child safety at all times.
- Observed and recorded child behaviour to identify developmental issues.
- Encouraged social development with group play and interaction.
- Built strong rapport with parents during pick-up and drop-off times encouraging open communication about child's progress.
- Followed health and safety guidelines meticulously, maintaining a safe environment for children.
- Thoroughly cleaned and disinfected play areas to control health risks.
- Implemented Safeguarding Procedures to monitor and protect children.
- Conducted risk assessments for activities to uphold Health and Safety.
- Managed and administered medications and minor first aid treatments, prioritising child safety and wellbeing.
- Discussed behavioural issues with parents offering practical solutions for improved child development.
- Established rapport with families and delivered comprehensive progress reports.
- Adapted activities to support Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) pupils.
- Tracked and assessed learning journeys using Nursery Management Software.
- Built positive relationships with families, enhancing trust in care provisions.
- Safeguarded children appropriately, escalating concerns to senior staff.
- Encouraged sharing and teamwork for positive social development.
- Reported on developmental progress to quickly identify and meet additional educational needs.
- Supported children with toilet training to aid physiological development.
- Devised activities to improve pupils' social, emotional and cognitive development.
- Celebrated student successes to encourage pride and sense of achievement.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Supported team by demonstrating respect and willingness to help.
- Consistently arrived at work on time and ready to start immediately.
- Improved efficiency and productivity by acquiring new skills.
- Completed duties to deliver on targets with accuracy and efficiency.
- Applied critical thinking to analyse problems, evaluate solutions and select best decisions.
- Handled sensitive information discreetly; upheld company confidentiality policies.
- Photocopied and printed documents as required; prepared materials for presentations or reports.
- Assisted colleagues with day-to-day tasks, promoting a collaborative work environment.
- Answered calls quickly and professionally, providing prompt customer support.
- Organised meetings and booked required venues, transportation and catering services.
Teaching assistant in primary school
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
Wallsend, North Tyneside
2022.09 - 2023.06
- Created visual aids for use during lessons that enhanced learner engagement and understanding of key concepts.
- Worked closely with teachers to implement engaging lessons which improved student participation.
- Provided special attention to students with learning difficulties for better inclusion in class activities.
- Contributed to the development of school policies aimed at enhancing teaching methods and techniques.
- Fostered positive relationships with parents and colleagues to create a supportive educational atmosphere.
- Maintained a clean, safe classroom environment by performing regular organisation and cleaning tasks.
- Participated actively in parent-teacher meetings, discussing individual student progress and areas of improvement thoroughly.
- Prepared classrooms for daily activities and tidied up afterwards, keeping surroundings neat and presentable at all times.
- Managed challenging child behaviour, running interventions to raise concerns and recommend appropriate action.
- Acted as superb role model, consistently promoting school mission and values.
- Maintained child safety, security and good behaviour during classroom and outdoor activities.
- Kept class records current with attendance information and student grades.
- Applied student assessment information to personalise support for students struggling with assignments.
Learning support assistant
Northern Counties School
Newcastle upon Tyne
2022.04 - 2022.06
- Supported children with special educational needs, promoting inclusivity within the school environment.
- Improved student engagement by providing one-on-one support and guidance.
- Assisted struggling pupils during class hours, leading to improved grades over time.
- Encouraged independent learning habits amongst pupils through consistent mentoring.
- Provided behavioural management strategies to maintain disciplined atmosphere.
- Accompanied school trips, ensuring safety and enjoyment for all pupils involved.
- Adapted teaching approach according to students' unique needs, achieving better comprehension.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams for holistic child development programmes.
- Offered calm and focused conflict-resolution, defusing problematic behaviour with compassion and emotional intelligence.
- Worked with students on academic and social challenges. modelling empathy and perseverance.
- Registered visitors, guests and contractors upon arrival, providing access passes.
- Offered support to special needs students, guaranteeing safety and access to equitable learning.
- Responded to changing needs of pupils and staff to provide maximum help and support.
- Helped student to build confidence by cultivating trusted atmosphere in group settings.
- Offered students personalised support during in-class activities and projects.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - English
Churchill Community College
Wallsend, North Tyneside 1978.09 - 1983.06
GCSEs - Mathematics
Churchill Community College
Wallsend, North Tyneside 1978.09 - 1983.06
GCSEs - History
Churchill Community College
Wallsend, North Tyneside 1978.09 - 1983.06
GCSEs - Biology
Churchill Community College
Wallsend, North Tyneside 1978.09 - 1983.06
GCSEs - Home Economics
Churchill Community College
Wallsend, North Tyneside 1978.09 - 1983.06
Skills
- DBS check cleared
- Parent-Teacher liaison
- Managing transitions
- Patience persistence
- Empathy understanding
- Caregiver communication
- Child engagement
- Special Education Needs (SEN) student support
- Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) knowledge
- Inclusive learning techniques
- Hygiene control
- Medication assistance
- Patient and caring
- Safeguarding awareness
- Early Years safeguarding knowledge
- Confidentiality assurance
- Confidentiality upholding
- Makaton language use
- Proficient in makaton
- Child protection procedures implementation
- Non-Judgemental attitude
- Recording keeping proficiency
- Professional training in safeguarding
- Assertiveness
- Attention to Detail
- Record-keeping
- Cultural awareness
- Multilingual communication
Affiliations
- Swimming
- Reading
- Spending time with my family
Timeline
Early years practitioner
Battlehill Primary School
2023.06 - Current
Teaching assistant in primary school
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
2022.09 - 2023.06
Learning support assistant
Northern Counties School
2022.04 - 2022.06
Some College (No Degree) - English
Churchill Community College
1978.09 - 1983.06
GCSEs - Mathematics
Churchill Community College
1978.09 - 1983.06
GCSEs - History
Churchill Community College
1978.09 - 1983.06
GCSEs - Biology
Churchill Community College
1978.09 - 1983.06
GCSEs - Home Economics
Churchill Community College
1978.09 - 1983.06