Laura Hooper
Croydon
Summary
Dedicated professional with expertise in special educational needs (SEN), showcasing a strong commitment to inclusivity advocacy and child safeguarding. Demonstrates proficiency in collaborative planning, intercultural competency, and SEN curriculum knowledge, ensuring effective behaviour management and disability awareness. Skilled in report writing and IEP development, with resilience under pressure and excellent communication skills. Career goals include advancing educational policy knowledge to further enhance SEN support systems.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Office administrator
Winterbourne Nursery and Infant School
Croydon
2024.10 - Current
- Handled sensitive information discreetly, adhering to confidentiality protocols consistently.
- Coordinated logistics for special events, ensuring successful outcomes for school functions.
- Provided administrative support during high-pressure periods to enhance overall productivity.
- Managed database to maintain accuracy and up-to-date records.
- Facilitated effective time management by coordinating meetings and appointments.
- Completed data entry tasks accurately for error-free record maintenance.
- Handled correspondence, delivering timely responses to all enquiries.
- Fostered a positive work environment through clear communication and reliable support.
Education Welfare Officer
WPA
Croydon
2023.01 - 2024.09
- Liaised with parents and teachers to enhance student attendance.
- Collaborated with social services to deliver holistic student support.
- Implemented preventative measures, successfully reducing truancy rates at school level.
- Assessed students' needs and provided targeted intervention strategies.
- Advised schools on legal matters concerning student welfare and attendance issues.
- Conducted home visits to promote family engagement in education.
- Mediated disputes between parents and schools, improving relationships.
- Prepared detailed reports for local authorities regarding children's welfare situations.
Safeguarding and Welfare Officer
The Beacon School
Banstead, Surrey
2022.10 - 2023.01
- Managed pupil caseload to ensure timely processing.
- Facilitated discussions during team meetings to promote effective collaboration for pupil needs.
- Handled sensitive information with confidentiality to maintain pupil/parent trust.
- Conducted regular home visits to ensure safe living conditions for vulnerable pupils.
- Prepared comprehensive reports detailing pupil progress and status updates.
- Implemented welfare policies according to government guidelines, ensuring compliance standards.
- Liaised with external professionals to provide holistic support and maintain care continuity.
Pastoral manager
Cressey College
Croydon
2022.01 - 2022.06
- Developed robust safeguarding policies, ensuring student safety during school hours.
- Created a safe space for open discussions on mental health, fostering peer acceptance.
- Provided emotional and academic support, enhancing student performance.
- Liaised between parents and teachers, improving communication regarding student progress.
- Implemented inclusion programmes to promote equality and diversity within the school.
- Tracked attendance and performance, intervening early in concerning issues.
- Conducted regular home visits to strengthen rapport between families and the school.
- Facilitated weekly meetings to improve communication among staff.
Assistant Senior Teacher
Cressey College
Croydon
2019.09 - 2021.12
- Developed curriculum to enhance student learning outcomes.
- Led parent-teacher meetings to improve engagement and communication.
- Implemented behavioural management strategies to ensure classroom orderliness.
- Facilitated professional development workshops for staff to advance teaching practices.
- Collaborated with colleagues on interdisciplinary lesson planning for holistic education.
- Maintained up-to-date records of student progress, communicating findings to parents regularly.
- Participated actively in parent-teacher associations, strengthening community relationships.
- Motivated teaching and support staff to continually improve knowledge and skills for optimal support of SEND/SEMH students.
- Created and delivered bespoke lesson plans to best meet student needs and aid positive progress towards educational goals.
- Worked closely with SENCO leads; provided tailored support for special needs pupils.
- Liaised with external agencies and special educational needs coordinators daily.
- Enhanced learning by implementing creative and engaging lessons plans for children with varied special educational needs.
- Updated child profiles to reflect progress and changes according to special educational needs.
- Provided exceptional support for pupils with special educational needs.
- Mentored new members of the Special Educational Needs team aiding their swift assimilation into established processes and protocols.
Teaching assistant in special educational needs
Cressey College
Croydon
2017.11 - 2019.07
- Fostered an inclusive classroom atmosphere promoting empathy and respect among peers.
- Collaborated with teachers to enhance lesson planning and execution.
- Adapted teaching methods to individual learning styles, improving comprehension outcomes.
- Facilitated communication between students, parents, and staff regarding progress and goals.
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary team members for holistic child development support.
- Participated in professional development sessions to remain updated on special education strategies.
- Provided emotional support during challenging situations while respecting student boundaries.
- Implemented effective discipline strategies tailored to individual behavioural needs.
Teaching assistant in special educational needs
Harris Primary Academy Haling Park
Croydon
2014.12 - 2017.05
- Helped organise outdoor activities to boost physical health and social skills amongst the pupils.
- Provided a safe, positive learning environment for students with varying needs.
- Utilised specialised teaching techniques for improved academic performance among special needs students.
- Fostered an inclusive classroom atmosphere by promoting empathy, acceptance and respect among peers.
- Assisted in creating individualised education plans to cater to each student's unique needs.
- Prepared visual aids for interactive lessons which increased engagement within the classroom.
- Participated in professional development training sessions to stay informed about the latest in special education teaching strategies.
Education
A-Levels - English Literature, Psychology, Sociology
Nescot College
East Ewell, Surrey 1995.09 - 1997.07
GCSEs - English, Maths, Science
Rosebery School
Epsom, Surrey 1991.09 - 1995.07
Skills
- Collaborative planning
- Special needs literacy
- Intercultural competency
- SEN curriculum knowledge
- Inclusivity advocacy
- Behavior management
- SEN expertise
- Child safeguarding
- Assertiveness
- Disability awareness
- Report writing
- IEP development
- Resilience under pressure
- Educational policy knowledge
- Interpersonal skills
- Initiative taking
- Communication excellence
Certification
City and Guilds NVQ Level 2 in Care
City and Guilds Level 3 in Education and Training
Designated Safeguarding Lead Training (DSL)
Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines
Understanding Young Minds
Certificate in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Certificate in Prevent Duty
Certificate in Understanding Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Keeping Children Safe In Education (KCSIE)
Understanding Acronyms and Terminology to Enhance Comprehension of Safeguarding
Timeline
Office administrator
Winterbourne Nursery and Infant School
2024.10 - Current
Education Welfare Officer
WPA
2023.01 - 2024.09
Safeguarding and Welfare Officer
The Beacon School
2022.10 - 2023.01
Pastoral manager
Cressey College
2022.01 - 2022.06
Assistant Senior Teacher
Cressey College
2019.09 - 2021.12
Teaching assistant in special educational needs
Cressey College
2017.11 - 2019.07
Teaching assistant in special educational needs
Harris Primary Academy Haling Park
2014.12 - 2017.05
A-Levels - English Literature, Psychology, Sociology
Nescot College
1995.09 - 1997.07
GCSEs - English, Maths, Science
Rosebery School
1991.09 - 1995.07