Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

Day to day running of the primary site

I have to support the class team members (both teachers and LSAs) with issues to do with the pupils education and welfare, work with the other members of the leadership team to ensure the quality of teaching stays high (including learning walks, moderation of planning, assessment files, etc and lesson observations), liaise with outside agencies including organising relevant medical training for staff.

I help to manage staffing including cover staff, deal with behaviour and medical issues when paged, support with child protection issues as a DSL, support pupils in care as a designated teacher, help monitor and run any tests or assessments (including - when relevant - phonics testing, KS1 or KS2 testing and ASDAN modules) and support the input of data, lead music throughout the school and, in general, support the strategic development of the school.

Making a difference. It is great being able to support teachers and LSA's to do the best that they can, and to see pupils develop and flourish.

Many of the pupils can show very challenging behaviours. Our staff have to deal with these often on a daily basis. They will often look to the leadership team for strategies to support the pupils and lesson the frequency of these behaviours but many strategies won't be a quick fix. It can be difficult to keep their motivation levels high.

I have always loved supporting pupils with additional needs and have thus worked in the area of special educational needs in a range of provisions. The role of assistant head at my current school became vacant and I wanted to have to chance to make a difference to a wider number of pupils each year.

I need to have a wide knowledge of range of special educational needs, backed up with both experience and a more academic understanding of those needs. I need to have patience and the ability to really listen to others. Most of all I need to be approachable and have a good sense of humour!

I graduated from UCL (1994) then went to Durham to complete a PGCE. I got my first job in a primary SEN school (mainly MLD pupils) in 1995. We then moved to Peterborough where I worked in an all age school (with residential provision) for pupils with SLD, PMLD and Autism (from 1998-99). From 1999 - 2004 I worked in a primary school for pupils with MLD and autism. It was during this time that I completed my diploma at Sheffield University. I then moved to a specialist provision for pupils with speech and language difficulties attached to a mainstream school (2004 - 2007). After taking some time out (due to having twins) I worked for a short time in an MLD primary school in Andover (2 terms in 2010), before becoming a part-time Outreach teacher working with teachers in mainstream schools in the New Forest area (2 days a week 2010-2014). During this time I completed a Making Headway training course ran by Hampshire LEA, for those looking into going into school leadership. In 2014 I was successful in my application to become an Assistant Head at my current school, which I do 4 days a week.

I would like to continue the development of my management skills, becoming a Deputy head teacher. Much of my training will be in-house - looking at budgeting/finance in particular.

It is good to stretch your horizons. The area of Special Educational Needs covers a wide range of provisions. Don't be afraid to try something new - working with a pupils with a different level or area of need, or moving from primary to secondary provision.

Pupils with Special Educational Needs will always bring challenges with them. Keep thinking outside the box, looking at the causes for the behaviours, not just the behaviours themselves.