Lisa Cowan

Over the last three years I have been a Pupil Support Assistant in the Support for Learning Department in a high school. Each day is different and with it brings new challenges.

My role as s Pupil Support Assistant is to help and assist pupils with Additional Support Needs

I work with pupils one-on-one or in a small group, supporting children with their education, behavioural and social development, helping children who find it difficult to learn because they have dyslexia, a disability, a health issue, or those who don’t speak English as a first language.

Being a pupil support assistant requires me to be an empathetic and compassionate person who is passionate about providing a nurturing learning environment.

My day-to-day responsibilities as a Pupil Support Assistant include:

• Motivating your pupils to achieve beyond their potential.
• Supporting and encouraging pupils in their schoolwork.
• Encouraging children to communicate.
• Helping children to understand instructions.
• Ensuring pupils feel comfortable and confident in their own abilities.
• Listening to children read, reading to them, and telling them stories.
• Looking after vulnerable children who require a dedicated person to manage their physical needs, including their hygiene.
• Helping children who need extra support to complete tasks.
• Supporting children during social activities, outings, and sports events.
• Helping children prepare for activities, such as Physical Education (PE).
• Helping children during therapy sessions.
• Supervising group activities.
• Assisting Teachers to plan learning activities, prepare learning materials, complete records, and carry out administrative tasks.
• Supporting Teachers in managing class behaviour.
• Following a child's care plan.
• Taking part in training.

In my role as a Pupil Support Assistant, I need to be positive, calm, motivational, flexible, creative, and innovative, I also must be proactive and committed to the pupils I work with to encourage trustworthy relationships, someone they can rely on and that will encourage them to be confident and independent. I also spend a lot of time listening and comforting pupils when they are upset and just need to talk.

Over the three years there have been a few pupils with extra complexed needs, I have been trained in many things to be able to assist these pupils. My training has included how to use the evac chair, this allows me to be able to evacuate a disabled or injured person from upstairs and out the building if there was a fire.

I have also been trained in manual handling and how to transfer a pupil using a hoist as the pupil I looked after had no physical control from the neck down .This pupil also needed personal care with included feeding and toileting.

I have also been trained in gastrostomy feeding as we have a young pupil who requires this twice a day.

My role as an onboard manager was to be a visible leader with a strong record in motivating the cabin crew to collectively deliver the positive, safe and secure experience that Virgin Atlantic’s customers expect through consistent feedback ,encouragement and the communication of NPS scores. Able to quickly respond to process issues ,develop needs, safety concerns , compliance requirements and business goals with confidence ,purpose and extensive knowledge of the company working practices and standards .

Leadership and Teamwork
I excel in both when supervising staff and contributing to a coordinated team through extensive experience at multiple levels of responsibility .I ensure that cabin crew understand their individual roles by providing an effective role model that they can look to during challenging situations, periods of changed daily flight operations.

Customer Service
Consistently prioritises to ensure customers receive the level of service and professional care that they expect from a company of Virgin Atlantic's stature, clearly communicating company goals and targeted NPS scores to crew.Accustomed to operating within directly customer-facing positions and is up to date with product knowledge .

Communication
Possesses exceptional interpersonal skills and natural ability to quickly build rapport with any individual having worked with colleagues and customers from a broad range of countries and cultural backgrounds.Positive ,confident and skilled in resolving any escalating issues with composure and diplomacy.

Staff Development
Highly skilled in pro-actively identifying opportunities to support and mentor staff in order to improve performance levels throughout the crew and company.Monitors the working standards of each crew member to suggest required training or recommend potential progression to manager.Also give feedback through performance monitoring after every flight.

Business Understanding
Remains fully aware of corporate objectives, operational structures and brand image when supervising daily activity on-board .Has successfully adapted to changes in Virgin Atlantic's business culture as well as clearly communicating these changes to other staff.

Compliance
Ensures full adherence from all crew with the most up to date working process ,systems, standards of conduct and legislation in order to guarantee the safety ,enjoyment and security of customers.

Social Media Engagement
Understands the importance of social media in modern business strategy, utilising multiple platforms to not only stay updated of current affairs ,but to share company promotions ,offers, new routes and other information in order to help maximise market presence.