Laura-Anne Shepherd

As a teacher of Performing Arts for 10 years I developed and fostered a positive and supportive environment in the classroom whilst also delivering high quality subject knowledge.

My experience and responsibilities as Head of Year and Mental Health Lead:

• Transformed the mental health and well-being universal offer through auditing current provision and implementing research based changes.
• Manage a large diverse team of form tutors, teachers and leader.
• Used prior data to create academic interventions to ensure students are able to thrive.
• Created, employed and reviewed mental health and well-being surveys from all staff, students and parents. Subsequently used this data to inform whole school interventions and targeted care.
• Maintained up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation including Children Act 1989, Keeping Children Safe in Education and Equality Act 2010.
• Assisted and supported students to manage emotions through whole school de-escalation strategies and building in prevention interventions across the trust.
• Created comprehensive students reports with thorough risk assessments for at risk students, enabling effective multi-disciplinary case management and effective use of external services.
• Observed students for emotional and behavioural changes which then informed supportive interventions provided for them.
• Offered a wide range of training opportunities for the staff body and ensured staff CPD opportunities were signposted.
• Educated and communicated effectively with student families about mental health issues and how to support their children and young people.
• Developed strong professional relationships with parents and families to identify and meet mental health needs of students.
• Planned and delivered outcome-focused interventions provided by external providers, promoting independence, social inclusion and resilience.
• Identified and provided social activities, emotional support and stability for students.
• Identified patients in need of more personalised treatment and recommended to psychiatrists.
• Collaborated effectively with a wide range of local service providers to ensure theory led interventions and support were provided to students in need.
• Led Team around the Family meetings working in a multi-agency manner to a top level.
• Co-ordinated a large number of events to raise awareness and educate staff and students about mental health and well-being.
• Co-ordinated with department heads to identify the benefit of extra-curricular activities and the importance of fostering positive relationships.
• Used social media to communicate effectively events and celebratory weeks.
• Created, developed and implemented a three year mental health and well-being development plan

• Readied students for specific exams and assessments.
• Supplied students with necessary materials and equipment.
• Oversaw budgeting, purchasing and maintenance of art inventory supplies.
• Encouraged peer evaluation and reflection to practise critical thinking skills.
• Created positive, stimulating learning environment with consistent discipline and successful behaviour management techniques.
• Planned external visits to broaden students' cultural awareness.
• Organised opportunities for students to showcase their work.
• Co-ordinated events to develop social and emotional skills of key students.

• Ran youth theatre dance and drama sessions with a diverse group of young people
• Delivered drama sessions to adults and young people with learning difficulties.
• Delivered workshops in primary and secondary schools on key practitioners and topics.
• Met with large businesses to present and bid for funding to allow for large scale projects to happen.
• Delivered sessions on resilience, coping strategies and healthy relationships to young people at risk.
• Director and choreographed successful productions.