Kelly Gerken
Salisbury,Wiltshire
Summary
A compassionate and dedicated pastoral professional with experience providing emotional and practical support to individuals and groups. An effective team player who is skilled in building strong relationships, fostering well being and creating safe environments for personal growth. Committed to serving others with empathy, integrity and a deep understanding of their diverse needs.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Pastoral support officer
Magna Learning Group (Wyvern St Edmunds)
Salisbury, Wiltshire
02.2023 - Current
- Enhanced student wellbeing by offering empathetic and effective pastoral support.
- Coordinated with teachers to create individualised care plans for students.
- Facilitated safe and inclusive learning environment via active engagement in school activities.
- Organised regular sessions with parents, enhancing their understanding of the pastoral programme.
- Collaborated with external agencies for comprehensive student support services.
- Managed behavioural issues effectively, fostering a positive school culture.
- Mitigated learning challenges through implementation of tailored intervention strategies.
- Fostered open communication channels between students, parents, and staff.
- Advocated for vulnerable children within the school setting, ensuring their needs were met.
- Offered consistent emotional support to pupils facing personal difficulties.
- Supported teachers in managing classroom dynamics to facilitate optimal learning conditions.
- Championed anti-bullying initiatives within the school community, promoting mutual respect amongst pupils.
- Contributed substantially to safeguarding procedures, guaranteeing child welfare at all times.
- Documented student progress meticulously, facilitating more accurate pupil assessments.
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information whilst adhering strictly to GDPR standards.
- Assisted in arranging extracurricular activities that fostered overall student development.
- Liaised effectively with educational psychologists when required for additional pupil assistance.
- Played integral role in parent-teacher meetings discussing academic performance and behaviour concerns.
- Cooperated actively in team meetings contributing constructive ideas focused on improving pastoral services.
- Taught students important points to prepare for examinations and assessments.
- Tracked student attendance and performance, intervening early in concerning issues.
Learning support assistant
Downton Primary School
Salisbury (Downton), Wiltshire
09.2021 - 02.2023
- Improved student engagement by providing one-on-one support and guidance.
- Developed tailored learning plans for individualised student progression.
- Enhanced classroom environment with creative teaching methods.
- Provided behavioural management strategies to maintain disciplined atmosphere.
- Assisted in creating lesson materials, improving educational effectiveness.
- Collaborated with teachers for development of effective learning plans.
- Aided in the delivery of lessons, ensuring comprehensive understanding.
- Facilitated group activities to enhance interactive learning experience.
- Monitored pupil progress closely, providing timely feedback to teachers and parents.
- Supported children with special educational needs, promoting inclusivity within the school environment.
- Assisted struggling pupils during class hours, leading to improved grades over time.
- Accompanied school trips, ensuring safety and enjoyment for all pupils involved.
Teaching assistant in special educational needs
Harnham Junior School
Salisbury, Wiltshire
09.2015 - 09.2021
- Provided a safe, positive learning environment for students with varying disabilities.
- Assisted in creating individualised education plans to cater to each student's unique needs.
- Collaborated with special education teachers for better lesson planning and execution.
- Facilitated communication between students, parents and staff to ensure understanding of progress and goals.
- Helped organise outdoor activities to boost physical health and social skills amongst the pupils.
- Offered emotional support during challenging situations whilst respecting student's personal space and emotions.
- Ensured adherence to school policies regarding safety standards when dealing with special needs children.
- Prepared visual aids for interactive lessons which increased engagement within the classroom.
- Maintained up-to-date records of each pupil's progress, attendance, medical information and behavioural patterns.
- Participated in professional development training sessions to stay informed about the latest in special education teaching strategies.
- Assisted in managing classroom behaviour by implementing effective discipline strategies tailored to individual needs.
- Encouraged participation by adapting tasks according to each student's capabilities.
- Used assistive technology tools effectively for facilitating easier communication for non-verbal students.
- Supported teachers in managing challenging student behaviour, contributing to progress meetings to provide feedback, raise concerns and recommend appropriate action.
Shift manager
One Stop
Salisbury, Wiltshire
03.2011 - 09.2015
- Optimised shift schedules to improve operational efficiency.
- Coordinated with team members for seamless shift transitions.
- Ensured health and safety measures in line with company regulations.
- Improved team morale through effective communication and feedback practices.
- Managed inventory control, reduced wastage.
- Streamlined operations by implementing efficient work procedures.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly to maintain high service standards.
- Delivered excellent customer service by overseeing staff training programmes.
Pensions administrator
James Hay
Salisbury, Wiltshire
08.2003 - 09.2010
- Improved client relations by providing prompt and accurate pensions information.
- Coordinated pension scheme updates for enhanced customer satisfaction.
- Enhanced operational efficiency with meticulous record keeping.
- Processed pensions contributions to ensure timely allocation of funds.
Education
Bereavement and traumatic grief therapy training - Psychology
Winston's Wish
Salisbury 09/2023 - 02/2024
Separation Anxiety therapy - Psychology
Dandelion Training and development
Salisbury, Wiltshire 05/2024 - 06/2024
Mental Health First Aider - Mental Health
MHFA England
Salisbury 07/2023 - 08/2023
Level 2 in Essential Teaching Strategies - Teaching Strategies
NCFE
Salisbury, Wiltshire 04/2014 - 06/2014
GCSEs - Mathematics, Science, English ,Geography, Physical Education, Textiles, Religious Studies, German,
Stonehenge Secondary School
Amesbury, Wiltshire 09/1996 - 05/2001
Skills
- Safeguarding protocols
- Child protection
- Conflict resolution
- Special educational needs knowledge
- Mental health awareness
- Behaviour management strategies
- Crisis intervention techniques
- Anti-Bullying initiatives
- Multi-Agency working
- School policies compliance
- Parental engagement methods
- Cultural sensitivity and understanding
- Teaching assistant experience
- Student records maintenance
- Confidentiality practices
- Excellent communication
- Self-Harm prevention techniques
- Stress management techniques
- Attendance monitoring
- Drug and alcohol awareness
- Online safety procedures
- Child development knowledge
- Pastoral care principles
- Grief support
- Positive behaviour reinforcement
- Data protection act compliance
- Healthy eating promotion
- Child abuse recognition
- Inclusive practice
- Calm under pressure
- Problem-solving
- Parent engagement techniques
- Social services liaison and other support teams around the child
Affiliations
- In my free time I enjoy reading and travelling. I also value social connections and regularly meet with friends fostering strong interpersonal relationships. Additionally I enjoy taking walks with my dogs allowing me to stay active and appreciate down time
Timeline
Pastoral support officer
Magna Learning Group (Wyvern St Edmunds)
02.2023 - Current
Learning support assistant
Downton Primary School
09.2021 - 02.2023
Teaching assistant in special educational needs
Harnham Junior School
09.2015 - 09.2021
Shift manager
One Stop
03.2011 - 09.2015
Pensions administrator
James Hay
08.2003 - 09.2010
Bereavement and traumatic grief therapy training - Psychology
Winston's Wish
09/2023 - 02/2024
Separation Anxiety therapy - Psychology
Dandelion Training and development
05/2024 - 06/2024
Mental Health First Aider - Mental Health
MHFA England
07/2023 - 08/2023
Level 2 in Essential Teaching Strategies - Teaching Strategies
NCFE
04/2014 - 06/2014
GCSEs - Mathematics, Science, English ,Geography, Physical Education, Textiles, Religious Studies, German,
Stonehenge Secondary School
09/1996 - 05/2001
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