Melissa Graham
Morden,Merton
Summary
A highly motivated and proactive professional with extensive experience in special educational needs, pupil behaviour management, and safeguarding lead proficiency. Demonstrates strong team leadership abilities, effective communication skills, and a deep understanding of the national curriculum and Ofsted requirements. Currently pursuing an NPQ qualification to be completed by May 2025. Adept at policy development, recruitment and hiring, and utilising technology to enhance educational outcomes. Known for empathy, patience, positivity, and being a friendly and approachable colleague. Committed to fostering parental engagement and improving student progress through innovative problem-solving techniques.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Assistant Headteacher for Primary Inclusion
Koinonia Federation
Greenwich, London
09.2024 - Current
- Collaborated closely with headteacher on strategic planning and decision-making processes to drive school improvements.
- Obtained records of pupils' learning progress from class teachers, providing feedback and support to teachers to make improvements.
- Developed and maintained effective relationships with parents for improved student's achievement and personal development.
- Implemented new learning strategies, promoting academic improvement across all year groups.
- Drove inclusive atmosphere by fostering culture of diversity and respect while closely monitoring delegated budget.
- Supported SEN pupils throughout their learning journey, ensuring equal access to opportunities for all students.
- Established comprehensive safeguarding policies to ensure pupil wellbeing at all times. This has been accomplished by attending safeguarding conferences as member of designated safeguarding team.
- Advocated for continuous professional development for staff members resulting in improved teaching quality.
- Led approximately 35 support staff members across three primary schools.
- Hired and mentored well-qualified job applicants for support staff and midday meal supervisor roles.
- Designed sensory room to be constructed for benefit of whole school.
- Arrange and led CPD training for teachers and support staff across th federation.
Secondary school SENCO (SLT)
Koinonia Federation
Greenwich, London
09.2021 - 09.2024
- Ensured seamless transition for new students by devising and implementing tailored induction programmes. Oversaw successful delivery of nursery, KS2 and KS4, KS5 transitions to 639 students.
- Coordinated with teaching staff to create individual learning plans, enhancing educational outcomes for all pupils.
- Reduced classroom disruptions by developing strong behavioural strategies.
- Collaborated with local authorities in safeguarding vulnerable students, including work with school police officers and youth offending team.
- Defended professional guidance at Tribunals with accurate, detailed records of recommendations.
- Provided support for children with special needs by creating tailored learning environments.
- Support human resources to resolve disgruntled colleagues using restorative conversations approaches.
- Assisted with transferring pupils in and out of wheelchairs and adaptive equipment. Trained staff how to use emergency wheelchair EVAC chairs in case of fire.
- Facilitated training sessions on inclusive education for teaching staff, promoting supportive school environment.
- Collaborated with external agencies to secure additional resources, ensuring equal opportunities for all pupils.
- Fostered increased parent engagement in child's education through regular communication and meetings.
- Conducted regular assessments of pupil progress to identify areas of improvement or concern swiftly.
- Enhanced quality of teaching by incorporating assistive technologies. An impressive example of this is by assisting Year 11 pupil to write their GCSE exams with assistive technology who then achieved 8s and 9s, when previously receiving 3s and 4s.
- Managed SEN department effectively whilst maintaining high standards of care and support for pupils.
- Led direct weekly 1:1 coaching sessions.
- Oversaw annual reviews of Education Health Care Plans, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance to statutory requirements.
- Introduced innovative teaching methods that catered to diverse learning styles, thus optimising student comprehension and retention rates.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on latest SEN practices and legislation ensuring school's adherence to best practice guidelines. Assisted with writing of school's SEND policies.
- Liaised with multidisciplinary teams for holistic pupil development, facilitating comprehensive support network around each child. Specifically manage looked after children (LAC) across secondary and primary school.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on latest SEN practices and legislation ensuring school's adherence to best practice guidelines.
- Streamlined communication between teachers, parents and outside professionals resulting in more coordinated efforts towards meeting students' needs.
- Mentored new members of Special Educational Needs team aiding their swift assimilation into established processes and protocols.
- Kept student records updated with current information, this includes working along side school nurses and parents by sharing necessary details with school staff to maintain students wellbeing and safety around their medical needs.
- Trained staff in adapting teaching to suit students with diverse needs. Each year providing special training sessions for ECTs.
- Managed student behaviour, intervening in crisis situations to resolve conflicts.
- Advised on required budgets to meet Special Educational Needs provisions.
- Worked cooperatively with classroom teachers to modify regular curricula as needed.
- Conducted assessments of student learning styles and used results to plan instructional activities. This includes organizing access arrangements for KS3, KS4 and KS5 students.
- Recruited and hired qualified staff to build successful education team.
- Carried out learning walks to best support teaching and learning across secondary school.
- Took KS5 History pupils abroad to Italy to broaden their cultural capital. This included diligent safeguarding and leadership to maintain pupil's safety.
SENCO
Koinonia Federation
Greenwich, London
09.2017 - 09.2021
- Carried out day-to-day care for special needs children, guide support staff and monitor class teachers accurately and efficiently.
- Successfully delivered on completing referrals within tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help support parents of pupils advising/acting upon their concerns.
- Ensured children's safety by implementing robust safeguarding policies.
- Supported class teachers with lesson alterations for students with special needs to ensure equal access to learning and resources.
- Collaborated with external agencies to secure additional resources, ensuring equal opportunities for all pupils.
- Devised efficient record keeping systems for tracking pupil progress over time.
- Oversaw annual reviews of Education Health Care Plans, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance to statutory requirements.
- Championed inclusive culture within school community through various awareness campaigns, fostering acceptance and understanding amongst peers. Modeling of this includes leading assemblies for pupils around awareness of dyslexia, ASD and ADHD.
- Streamlined communication between teachers, parents and outside professionals resulting in more coordinated efforts towards meeting students' needs.
- Adapted learning environments to provide safe, accessible spaces. Creating workstations and making sensory supportive spaces.
- Supported classroom teachers in monitoring, assessing and recording student' progress.
- Managed student behaviour, intervening in crisis situations to resolve conflicts.
- Monitored spending of Special Educational Needs budget.
KS1 AND KS2 TEACHER
Koinonia Federation
Greenwich, London
09.2012 - 09.2017
- Fostered strong relationships with students by displaying genuine interest in their personal growth and achievements.
- Developed engaging lesson plans by applying knowledge of educational theories and methods. Always at good or outstanding teaching levels from observations.
- Fostered positive learning environment for student engagement through effective classroom management.
- Boosted students' reading comprehension with creative teaching strategies and by instilling excitement for reading.
- Always flexible and adaptable based on what school and pupils needed most day to day.
- Consecutive years of 90% + attainment of students passing Year 1 phonics screening test while being Year 1 teacher.
- Communicated regularly with parents about their children's performance and behaviour at school.
- Coordinated school trips, broadened pupils' cultural exposure and understanding. Including taking pupils on residential trips in Year 4, Year 6 and KS5.
- Attended professional development sessions to stay updated with latest teaching methodologies.
- Led after-school clubs, facilitated students' participation in extracurricular activities. Ran a popular club, "This girl can" group for KS2 females preparing them for transition into secondary school.
- Prepared stimulating classroom displays, encouraged student creativity and interest in subject matter.
- Took part in parent-teacher meetings discussing pupil progress and potential areas for improvement continuously showing ability to navigate difficult conversations if/when they arise.
- As middle leadership and head of PE, organised school events such as sports day for several years.
- Was mentor teacher for 2 qualifying student teachers completing their PGCE.
- Acting head of school for day while Senior Leadership were away from building.
GRADE 4 TEACHER
LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Meadow Lake, Canada
09.2008 - 08.2012
- Plan differentiated lessons based on needs of pupils.
- Assess and monitor student's progress.
- Write assessments and end of year reports to share with families.
- Inspire and expose students to cultural capital.
- Run extra -curricular activities such as coaching softball, basketball, running clubs and hockey.
- Plan whole school events such as spirit days, Christmas concerts, dances and sports days.
Education
POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION (SPECIAL NE - Special Educational Needs
UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON
Wolverhampton 09.2017 - 11.2018
BACHELOR DEGREE OF EDUCATION - Education
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Canada 09.2006 - 05.2008
Skills
Qualifications and Experience
- Qualified Teacher Status
- Bachelor of Education from University of Alberta
- Special Needs Coordinator qualification
- Designated safeguarding lead qualifications
- Senior Leadership and Management experience
- NPQSL qualification to be completed in May 2025
Key Skills
- Empowering, experienced role model for staff, students and parents
- Friendly, effective and approachable communicator
- Resilient, creative problem-solver
- Empathetic and considerate pastoral team leader
- Patient, positivity with enthusiastic edge
- Confidential organiser, confident user of technology
- Adaptable and flexible leader who can manage change
- Research based pupil behaviour management
- Knowledge of national curriculum, policies and Ofsted
Affiliations
- Travel, yoga, gym, films, photography, badminton, softball, golf, swimming, gardening, eating out with friends, spending time with my family
Accomplishments
SENCO of the Term Award – Spring 2023
This award comes from the CENMAC our assistive technology provider.
"Advisory teacher David Howard nominated Melissa and said “I nominate Melissa Graham for the award of SENCO of the Term. As someone who visits many schools and works with many exceptional SENCOs, I can confidently say that Melissa is one of the best I have had the pleasure of working with.
Melissa works in both a large all-through school and a busy primary school, where she always has her finger on the pulse and knows exactly what challenges are facing the children in her care. She is knowledgeable, professional, and caring, and it's clear that she has a deep commitment to ensuring that every student receives the support and resources they need to succeed.
What's most impressive about Melissa is how effortless she makes her job look. As we all know, being a SENCO is an incredibly challenging role that requires a great deal of skill, patience, and dedication. But Melissa handles every challenge with grace and professionalism, always putting the needs of her students first.
For all of these reasons and more, I believe that Melissa Graham is the perfect candidate for the award of SENCO of the Term."
https://cenmac.com/senco-of-the-term-award/
Timeline
Assistant Headteacher for Primary Inclusion
Koinonia Federation
09.2024 - Current
Secondary school SENCO (SLT)
Koinonia Federation
09.2021 - 09.2024
SENCO
Koinonia Federation
09.2017 - 09.2021
POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION (SPECIAL NE - Special Educational Needs
UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON
09.2017 - 11.2018
KS1 AND KS2 TEACHER
Koinonia Federation
09.2012 - 09.2017
GRADE 4 TEACHER
LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
09.2008 - 08.2012
BACHELOR DEGREE OF EDUCATION - Education
University of Alberta
09.2006 - 05.2008
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