Background in Primary, now in the privileged job as deputy head of an AP medical needs; interested in all things and people that don’t fit the perceived norms
Hazlemere, South East
Joined September 2009
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helenshakespeare retweeted
❤This!
I refused school because I didn't feel safe and felt the prejudice of some unhealthy teachers. 100% attendance 18mths later when I felt safe and cared about in another setting. Not letters, not meetings, not fines, (not more trauma)! Genuine connection and compassion.
First post in ages…melted… took some of our medical provision (all EBSA) on a BOAT TRIP today. They managed the venue, wearing a buoyancy aid, the sound of the boat engine, talking to the skipper, a few ate a snack and ALL of them stood outside on deck at some point 🥰
helenshakespeare retweeted
I've just had the call. I've refused entry. This is an interesting phone call.
Doing this for everyone for our school staff everywhere!
@Ofstednews
@Headteacherchat
#ShineOn
#BurnBrighter
For our EBSA cohort it’s largely sensory: corridors, canteen, uniform…then there’s cognitive lack of safety: speaking or reading in front of the class… then there’s emotional lack of safety: lack of relationships with trusted adults. These are among the most common.
My biggest takeaway from a visiting Psychiatrist to my medical site was that our most helpful response to a child’s request to change pronouns is to respect the request with no questions. They need:
ACCEPTANCE 🥰
So refreshing to read this. I do this on my SEMH site. Such good inclusive practice.
Opinions please
Anxiety in student due to secondary mainstream school locking all toilets following damage to toilets. All students have to go to a member of staff for a key.
I love that my daughter (23) thinks I can solve everything. She just walked thru a spiders web in the shower and 100 baby spiders came out 😳
Thought for the week just gone:
we are just as generous in consideration of our parents’ anxieties and neuro-diversity as we are with our students. It’s so important with trauma informed or ASD friendly practice to extend the same empathy
Thinking of all AP staff right now as we expect extra anxious, extra tired, extra displaced students this week…maybe in mainstream too. Planning ‘soft landings’ 🥰
Put my auto-reply on my email…closed my laptop…turned off my alarm…tsunami of tiredness and know others in teaching will understand x
Shout out to care workers including my daughter who can’t even discuss not going into work and who potentially face front line challenges again.
These words in a thank you card have rubbed in why I do this job:
“You gave me hope when I thought there was none left…”
All 9 year 11 leavers with their life inhibiting anxiety not only stayed in the room to hear their personal speech, but then gave their own speech. They thanked us for getting them their diagnoses; for supporting them in meetings; for changing their lives. 🥰
Thank you Twitter and stunned by the response to a simple tweet.
It has lifted me from a heavy, heavy day. 🥰
This is why we teach.
Yesterday I bumped into an ex-pupil of mine (from Primary). He’s 19 and reminded me I wrote a poem for the class mentioning all 30 of them.
Me: you remember that???
Him: remember it? I keep it in my special box…
🥰
Anyone else responsible for GCSEs having a minor panic right now? On a medical site it feels stressful but I’m glad I’m not responsible for hundreds 😊