Laura Steels
Carlisle,Cumbria
Summary
Dedicated professional with a strong commitment to supporting individuals in achieving their goals. Demonstrates exceptional communication and organizational skills, along with a proven ability to solve problems and adapt to changing circumstances. Focused on delivering outstanding service to clients and ensuring their needs are met effectively.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work history
Learning Support Assistant, Attendance officer, Cover supervisor
Haydon Bridge High School
2020.09 - 2026.07
- Taking full classes
- Working 1:1 where needed with students
- Paperwork regularly adapted and checked to make sure it is all correct
- Meetings with parents and professionals
- Helping students attend school and removing barriers to learning
- Implemented initiatives to promote the importance of regular school attendance amongst students and parents.
- Supervised morning registration process, upholding rigorous adherence to correct protocols.
- Attended multi-agency meetings discussing strategies for improving overall student engagement and participation levels at school events and activities.
- Monitored student absences for early intervention strategies.
- Identified patterns of non-attendance for targeted interventions.
- Coordinated with local authorities on extreme cases of truancy, complying with statutory guidance on child safeguarding practices.
- Updated attendance records accurately, ensuring data integrity.
- Handled sensitive information confidentially whilst dealing with issues related to student absences or late arrivals.
Greengrocers daughter
Dobson's Fruit and Veg
Kendal, Cumbria
2000.09 - 2023.09
- My parents ran a very successful greengrocers business in the centre of Kendal. I would spend every weekend/holiday and at the shop. I can speak to customers confidently and help them to get the products they need.
- Taking orders over the phone and detailing quantities and products clearly.
- Delivering orders.
- Assisted customers with their purchases, increased customer loyalty.
- Trained new staff members for consistent service standards across the team.
- Handled customer queries to enhance satisfaction.
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Worked flexible hours, covering nights, weekends and bank holidays.
- Consistently arrived at work on time and ready to start immediately.
- Offered friendly, efficient customer service and handled challenging situations with ease.
- Cleaned work areas and equipment to maintain faultless hygiene standards.
- Increased customer satisfaction by resolving issues.
- Improved efficiency and productivity by acquiring new skills.
- Completed duties to deliver on targets with accuracy and efficiency.
Progress Mentor
Kirkbie Kendal School
Kendal
2019.05 - 2020.08
- Organised group discussions promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills among participants.
- Collaborated with parents or guardians to ensure consistent support structures at home and school.
- Implemented peer mentoring programmes allowing mutual growth and learning opportunities for all participants.
- Devised personalised learning plans, leading to accelerated skill development in mentees.
Learning Support Assistant
Connex Education Agency
Birmingham
2019.03 - 2019.05
- Supported children with special educational needs, promoting inclusivity within the school environment.
- Liaised with parents at parent-teacher meetings, communicated effectively about pupil progress.
- Enhanced classroom environment with creative teaching methods.
Teaching Assistant for students with Autism
Cambian New Elizabethan School
Hartlebury
2018.01 - 2019.03
- Worked with extremely challenging students 1:1
- Assisted in conducting assessments to determine student understanding of subjects.
- Led small group sessions for enhanced focus on challenging topics.
- Prepared classroom materials to facilitate efficient lessons.
- Supervised students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips providing safe, supportive environment.
Primary School SEND Teaching Assistant
Agency Work with Smart Education, Oscott Manor School
Birmingham
2017.09 - 2017.12
- Managed administrative tasks, aiding smooth running of the class.
- Offered one-on-one guidance to struggling students for improved academic performance.
- Ensured safety of pupils during extracurricular activities for an accident-free environment.
Retail worker
Crew clothing limited
Kendal, Cumbria
2015.07 - 2017.07
- Managed inventory levels effectively to minimise out-of-stock situations.
- Received deliveries and stocked goods on shelves efficiently for easy accessibility.
- Followed company policies and guidelines strictly maintaining standards of operation.
Retail worker
Home bargains
Kendal, Cumbria
2015.01 - 2015.07
- Assisted customers with product selection, leading to improved customer satisfaction.
- Operated till accurately to ensure smooth checkout process.
- Maintained clean and organised store shelves for a pleasant shopping environment.
Waitress
Waterside cafe
Kendal , Cumbria
2009.07 - 2013.12
- Ensured compliance with health regulations through effective cleaning practices in the dining area.
- Provided recommendations on specials or seasonal offerings for increased sales revenue.
- Maintained clean and organised dining area for customer comfort.
Education
NVQ Level 3 - Primary Teaching and Learning
Cambian New Elizabethan School
Hartlebury 2018.01 - 3 2019
Certificate of Higher Education - Health Care
University of Cumbria
Lancaster 2014.09 - 8 2017
GCSEs, A-levels -
Kirkby Stephen Grammar School
Cumbria 2007.09 - 8 2014
Skills
- Ability to build positive relationships
- Time management techniques
- Emotional support
- Effective communicator
- Special educational needs experience
- Child protection understanding
- Support plan implementation
- Nonverbal communication
- Safeguarding protocols adherence
- Data entry and reporting
- Constructive feedback
- Schedule management
- Microsoft Office
- Case Management
- Professional and mature
- Mail management
- Multitasking and prioritisation
- Administrative operations
- IEP implementation
- Student advocacy
- Behavioural Management
References
- Stephen, Hill, Deputy head, Hills@hbhs.co.uk, 01434684422, Haydon Bridge High School, NE47 6LR, Dates of employment OR how long you’ve been known to them? 6 years
- Michael, Smith, Vice Principal, Blyth.enquiries@northerneducationtrust.org, 01670798100, The Blyth Academy, 2021-01, 2023-07, NE24 4JP
Hobbies, Interests and Voluntary Work
I like dancing and acting and have performed and help produce school productions. I love being a mum and building a really strong connection with my young daughters. I am a governor at my daughters school.
Personal Qualities
Ultimately, I am conscientious and reliable and will fully commit to what is required of me. I am not afraid of working overtime when necessary and will work until the tasks are completed. I am a fast learner and eager to learn new skills and take on further training. Feedback is important to me as I want to grow within my role. In all my dealings with people I always adopt an energetic and positive outlook and use praise and humour when appropriate. I am sociable and easy to get on with and enjoy working with others. I am easy to work with, am bubbly, can find humour in most situations and have a great sense of fun. I am very organised and have high standards when working with others and I like to encourage others to realise their goals. I will give 100% to tasks I am asked to fulfil in order to help people move forward.
Timeline
Learning Support Assistant, Attendance officer, Cover supervisor
Haydon Bridge High School
2020.09 - 2026.07
Progress Mentor
Kirkbie Kendal School
2019.05 - 2020.08
Learning Support Assistant
Connex Education Agency
2019.03 - 2019.05
Teaching Assistant for students with Autism
Cambian New Elizabethan School
2018.01 - 2019.03
NVQ Level 3 - Primary Teaching and Learning
Cambian New Elizabethan School
2018.01 - 3 2019
Primary School SEND Teaching Assistant
Agency Work with Smart Education, Oscott Manor School
2017.09 - 2017.12
Retail worker
Crew clothing limited
2015.07 - 2017.07
Retail worker
Home bargains
2015.01 - 2015.07
Certificate of Higher Education - Health Care
University of Cumbria
2014.09 - 8 2017
Waitress
Waterside cafe
2009.07 - 2013.12
GCSEs, A-levels -
Kirkby Stephen Grammar School
2007.09 - 8 2014
Greengrocers daughter
Dobson's Fruit and Veg
2000.09 - 2023.09