Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Websites
Affiliations
References
Timeline
Generic

Zara Breden

Shoreham ,West Sussex

Summary

I started off working with children in Sen Schools, and some mainstream. For the SEN schools I was a general SEN teaching assistant, for the mainstream I was an Individual needs assistant. I found all experiences incredibly rewarding and enjoyable. As someone who suffers with dysbraxia, mild dyscaluclia and dyslexia myself, I loved helping other children who had similar or slightly different special needs to my own.

Although, I have a strong background in education, my main passion is animals, particularly invertebrates. I keep a range of animals and insects. I work at a butterfly farm at the weekends, during the half terms, and sometimes the odd day when we have a school visit. Teaching children the value of insects is crucial and love the fact that I could convince them to treat and see invertebrates differently.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
26
26
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Bug handler

Matt Simmons-Middleton Common Butterfly farm
Ditchling, East Sussex
2023.06 - Current

Roles and responsibilities are as followed:

  • Carry out bug handling talks for visitors
  • Set up arts and crafts activities for children
  • Ensure bugs welfare is met
  • Handle bugs for parties and group bookings
  • Monitor the tunnel and ensure butterflies are not touched
  • Fill up sugar water for the butterflies
  • Helping plan parties for the bug hut

Individual learning support assistant

Buckingham Park
Shoreham
2019.01 - 2026.12
  • Prepared lesson materials in accordance with curriculum guidelines.
  • Liaised with other professionals for the benefit of students' overall growth.
  • Collaborated with teachers for improved student performance in class assignments.
  • Supported children during playtimes; helped them develop social skills
  • Supervised students during break times, lunchtimes and after school clubs.
  • Assisted with assigned students social, emotional and educational skills

Nursery assistant

Windmills Nusery Practice
Burgess Hill, West Sussex
2025.01 - 2025.10
  • Facilitated outdoor activities, promoting physical health among youngsters.
  • Observed children's behaviours, providing important insights into their development stages.
  • Created engaging play scenarios to encourage imaginative thinking amongst children.
  • Encouraged good hygiene practices among children promoting a healthy routine.
  • Fostered positive relationships with parents for better understanding of child's needs.

Park Ranger

West Sussex County Council
Worthing, West Sussex
2021.07 - 2021.12
  • Coordinated volunteer activities, promoting community involvement in conservation efforts.
  • Worked closely with other park staff to maintain high service levels at all times.
  • Performed daily checks on trails and paths, ensuring accessibility throughout the year.
  • Carried out regular maintenance of park facilities for visitor safety and comfort.
  • Engaged members of public in important conversations regarding the importance of invertebrates and other types of wildlife.

Special needs assistant

Heronsdale
Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex
2018.09 - 2019.02
  • Helped with personal care of students
  • Maintained accurate records on individual pupil progress which informed further teaching strategies.
  • Prepared teaching materials tailored to each child's abilities, leading to enriched curriculum understanding.
  • Encouraged group work amongst students which fostered better team-building skills.
  • Ensured setting was clean and tidy
  • Monitored children's behaviours
  • Managed classroom behaviour effectively, resulting in a calmer, more conducive atmosphere for learning.
  • Supported children with physical disabilities during lunchtimes and breaks, promoting social inclusion amongst peers.

Education

NFCE Level 1 Award Working with children - Childcare

Varndean College
Brighton, Brighton and Hove
2016.02 - 2016.06

Cache level 3 in supporting Teaching and Learning - Childcare

Varndean College
Brighton
2017.09 - 2018.06

Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Animal Management - Animal Management

Plumpton College
Plumpton Green, East Sussex
2013.09 - 2015.07

Some College (No Degree) - Counselling

Brighton Metropolitan
Brighton, Brighton and Hove
2018.09 - 2019.06

GCSEs - English

Shoreham Academy
2008.09 - 2013.09

GCSEs - Science

Shoreham Academy
Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex
2008.09 - 2013.09

Additional Science - Science

Shoreham Academy
Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex
2008.09 - 2013.09

BTEC Science - Science

Shoreham Academy
Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex
2008.09 - 2013.07

Functional Skills Level 2 Maths - Maths

Shoreham Academy
2013.09 - 2014.07

Level 2 national certificate in ICT - ICT

Shoreham Academy
2011.09 - 2013.07

Skills

-Strong Empathy

  • -Understanding
  • Passionate
  • Hard working
  • Flexible worker
  • Good listener
  • Strong communication skills
  • Computer literate
  • SEN skills and experience


Affiliations

  • Rearing and caring for exotic animals
  • Blogging and vlogging
  • writing
  • reading
  • going for walks
  • lifting

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Nursery assistant

Windmills Nusery Practice
2025.01 - 2025.10

Bug handler

Matt Simmons-Middleton Common Butterfly farm
2023.06 - Current

Park Ranger

West Sussex County Council
2021.07 - 2021.12

Individual learning support assistant

Buckingham Park
2019.01 - 2026.12

Special needs assistant

Heronsdale
2018.09 - 2019.02

Some College (No Degree) - Counselling

Brighton Metropolitan
2018.09 - 2019.06

Cache level 3 in supporting Teaching and Learning - Childcare

Varndean College
2017.09 - 2018.06

NFCE Level 1 Award Working with children - Childcare

Varndean College
2016.02 - 2016.06

Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Animal Management - Animal Management

Plumpton College
2013.09 - 2015.07

Functional Skills Level 2 Maths - Maths

Shoreham Academy
2013.09 - 2014.07

Level 2 national certificate in ICT - ICT

Shoreham Academy
2011.09 - 2013.07

GCSEs - English

Shoreham Academy
2008.09 - 2013.09

GCSEs - Science

Shoreham Academy
2008.09 - 2013.09

Additional Science - Science

Shoreham Academy
2008.09 - 2013.09

BTEC Science - Science

Shoreham Academy
2008.09 - 2013.07
Zara Breden