- I join a weekly village pub dog walk
- I attend the gym 2-3 times a week
- I play pickle ball once a week
- I am an editor for the village parish magazine
- I lead a village book club once a month
- I enjoy horticulture
Lucy Heffernan
Newdigate,Surrey
Summary
Dedicated Teacher Training Adviser with expertise in guiding aspiring educators through the teacher training process. Advocates for candidates by providing tailored feedback on applications and interview preparation, enhancing their confidence and performance. Delivers engaging presentations at recruitment events, significantly increasing candidate engagement and interest in teaching careers.
However, I would now like to apply my experience and skillset to the police service. I want to work hard to support those who are vulnerable in our community and to promote a law-abiding society where everyone feels safe.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher Training Adviser
Department for Education via Teleperformance
Newdigate, Surrey
01.2020 - Current
- Supported candidates through teacher training course applications, enhancing their chances of acceptance by offering tailored guidance.
- Advised candidates on teaching careers in primary, secondary, and SEND settings, helping them to align their strengths with suitable pathways.
- Guided candidates on answering specific interview questions effectively.
- Reviewed personal statements, providing constructive feedback that improved clarity and effectiveness of applications.
- Provided constructive feedback on lesson planning, educational responses, and interview tasks.
- Delivered presentations at regional and local recruitment events to attract more applicants.
- Championed strong candidates, offering reassurance as well as helping to build confidence in an unfamiliar sector.
Special Educational Needs Teacher
Surrey County Council
Cranleigh, Surrey
09.2017 - 12.2019
- Developed individualised education programmes (IEPs) for students with diverse learning needs, improving educational outcomes and fostering academic engagement.
- Provided 1:1 assistance to SEN students with behaviour and learning difficulties, particularly Pathological Demand Avoidance.
- Integrated sensory activities into daily routines to support students who were non-verbal and those with sensory processing disorders, enhancing their learning experience.
- Assisted non-verbal students with alternative communication techniques and non-verbal cues to request help for example Makaton and PECs.
- Supported pupils with disabilities using behaviourally based instruction and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, including psychologists, psychiatrists, speech and language therapists plus occupational therapists, to assess student needs and adjust teaching strategies accordingly.
- Documented and reported on student progress in alignment with school standards.
- Provided feedback to parents and guardians (+ care team if boarding) on student progress through regular meetings and written reports, fostering strong home-school partnerships.
- Engaged students in community-based learning activities, such as shopping at a local supermarket, to enhance social skills and facilitate real-world application of knowledge.
- Managed team of teaching assistants, providing guidance and professional development support, fostering career progression and addressing challenges following traumatic incidents.
Secondary School Special Education Teacher
Surrey County Council
Dorking, Surrey
04.2014 - 07.2017
- Established trusting relationships with students exhibiting oppositional defiance disorders, ADHD, Autism, and behavioural, emotional, and social difficulties, enhancing their ability to regulate behaviour.
- Adapted teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs, interests, and abilities, promoting inclusive education.
- Facilitated positive learning environment through effective classroom management techniques, fostering respect and cooperation among students while implementing MAPA training during physical challenges.
- Created lesson plans in accordance with national curriculum and school-wide curriculum standards. Led PSHE, RE & History plus guided students into post-16 education with application support.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop targeted strategies for student support, ensuring comprehensive assistance tailored to meet individual student needs.
- Collaborated with parents and guardians, care staff and social workers in meetings to discuss student progress and address concerns as.
Teacher: Secondary School Head of Geography
London Borough of Merton
Wimbledon, London
09.2002 - 12.2013
- Led Geography department in implementing effective teaching methods, including collaborative learning and explicit instruction, while training colleagues to ensure consistent application across the team.
- As an Assistant Head Teacher, I promoted whole staff training on the application of Assessment for Learning to ensure all pupils experienced active learning so that lessons were collaborative, fun and engaging.
- Assessed student performance to identify improvement areas, facilitating targeted support for enhanced learning outcomes.
- Adapted teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs, interests, and abilities, promoting inclusive education.
- As a form tutor, maintained trusting student relationships by providing both educational and emotional support to students, particularly around GCSE exams.
- Provided positive feedback in written form and verbally to instill confidence in students.
- Collaborated with parents and guardians during parent-teacher meetings to discuss student progress and address concerns.
- Encouraged recognition of all students' achievements and developed a reward system for year 10 and year 11 students, resulting in increased attendance and positive academic attitudes.
- Led a number of field trips locally and in Dorset to support understanding of river and coastal processes. Led an international field trip to the Bay of Naples, Italy to complement GCSE and A level tectonic processes.
- Coordinated with external organisations for guest speaker sessions, providing students with insights into what it was like to experience an earthquake as an example.
Primary School Teacher
London Borough of Merton
Wimbledon, London
04.2001 - 07.2002
- Identified clear learning objectives and used creative teaching techniques.
- Conducted regular assessments to monitor pupil progress, providing feedback and tailored support to foster academic growth, particularly for the gifted and talented pupils.
- Organised the classroom and created reward displays to encourage positive learning environments.
- Facilitated collaboration among staff to strengthen team dynamics and improve overall teaching effectiveness.
- Taught a year 7 class all national curriculum subjects.
Primary School Teacher
Sutton County Council
Sutton, Surrey
01.1998 - 04.2001
- Fostered a positive and inclusive classroom environment, addressing individual educational needs and abilities such as dyslexia and ADHD.
- Managed classroom behaviour through positive reinforcement and conflict resolution strategies, fostering a conducive learning environment.
- Reinforced reading, writing, grammar and phonics using children's literature such as Roald Dahl, Michael Morpurgo and Jacqueline Wilson.
- Prepared creative teaching materials and wall displays, motivating students and supporting their learning experience.
- Attended parents' evenings and provided detailed assessments of their children's' progress.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Geography & Primary Education
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury01-1997
A-Levels - A Levels
Ursuline High School
Wimbledon01-1993
GCSEs - GCSE's
Ursuline High School
Wimbledon01-1991
Skills
- Educational leadership
- Audience communication
- Experienced public speaker
- Verbal communication
- Collaborative learner and team player
- Critical thinker
- Effective time manager
- Continuous development
- Computer proficient
- Flexible and adaptive
- Creative and innovative
- Active listener
- Empathetic support
- Positive and encouraging
- Professional integrity
- Fast learner
Interests
Timeline
Teacher Training Adviser
Department for Education via Teleperformance
01.2020 - Current
Special Educational Needs Teacher
Surrey County Council
09.2017 - 12.2019
Secondary School Special Education Teacher
Surrey County Council
04.2014 - 07.2017
Teacher: Secondary School Head of Geography
London Borough of Merton
09.2002 - 12.2013
Primary School Teacher
London Borough of Merton
04.2001 - 07.2002
Primary School Teacher
Sutton County Council
01.1998 - 04.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Geography & Primary Education
Canterbury Christ Church University
A-Levels - A Levels
Ursuline High School
GCSEs - GCSE's
Ursuline High School