Vanessa Maley

My responsibilities are to:

• Provide support for pupils with significant additional educational and medical needs.

• Assist with pupil welfare e.g. clothing, hygiene, toileting, first aid and provide general support with pupil activities.

• General supervision of pupils as directed by the Head Teacher including playground supervision, wet intervals, lining up, lunch supervision.

• Involvement in anti-bullying strategies (e.g. developing playground games.

• Handling pupil information of a sensitive and confidential nature.

• Assist with arrangements for excursions and parties.

• Preparation of class related work including production of teacher prepared worksheets and overheads

Preparing and serving healthy and nutritious food for 350 primary pupils.

Responsibility for ensuring food was ordered on a weekly basis.

Liaising with senior management team with regard to specific pupil dietary requirements.

As shop manager, I had the responsibility of ensuring the florist remained an integral part of the local community which entailed making sure orders were always fulfilled to the highest standard - including ordering stock and communicating with customers and delivery drivers.

Ensuring flowers are delivered at what was usually a highly emotional time meant I had to always put people's needs at the forefront of my thoughts and the feedback I received showed how much customers appreciated the personal touch I put into every order.

After leaving college, I set up as a horse riding instructor. It was a successful business with over 500 clients, who ranged from ages between four and late seventies.

Before I was able to start this business I had to gain a degrees in business management, animal welfare and health and safety.

At this time I was also a volunteer for five years with the Riding for the Disabled charity. This is a cause particularly close to my heart as my son has Autism and I know the therapeutic benefits animals can have.