The University of Birmingham is renowned for its work on researching and supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities; the lecturers are all exceptional in their fields and to learn from the best is surely going to help ensure you achieve the best outcomes for the children you work with – that’s ultimately what I want to achieve.

What are your fondest memories of your time at Birmingham?

As I was studying part time and distance, for me meeting everyone on the in person days was brilliant. You were able to network with likeminded professionals and shared experiences that you could give and receive advice on. One of the highlights whilst on the in-person days was during my Autism Specialism lecture where all the lecturers had a diagnosis of ASC and to see first-hand their experiences but also to see first-hand what they achieved was one of the greatest motivators for returning to school and encouraging the children I worked with to do the same.

How did you approach the course?

I did most of my lectures online supported with 2 days each term on campus which really helped solidify all my online learning.

The online lectures were so easy to access via Canvas and they were recorded by the lecturers with all the most recent legislation to support. Even on modules which challenged more, I know I could (and did) contact my tutor or the lecturer to talk things through to aid my understanding.

There was a great platform on Canvas set up where we could comment in our groups on the lectures but also by having 2 days on campus each term, we could really cement those professional connections.

Tell us about your career journey from Birmingham student to where you are today

I have a postgraduate degree in Primary Education so first and foremost I am a teacher, however, I wanted to study with the University of Birmingham because I felt that in Mainstream schools there is a distinct lack of support and inclusion for children with SEND. Since starting and completing my MEd I have set up a Nurture Group in a specialist school for boys with SEMH and increased their attainment and outcomes – this research is currently under peer review with the International Journal of Nurture in Education and will be published later this year.

I also then went on to complete my SENDCo qualification with the UoB and this supported my application to a school which specialised in meeting the needs of pupils with ASC.

I’ve just taken on a new role as a Headteacher which I’m really looking forward to.

I am also a governor at a local primary school which has an Autism Resource Hub attached to the school, so I am supporting with the development of the resource and how to further insure we are inclusively meeting the needs of the pupils.

Thinking back on your time as a student, what do you know now that you wish you knew then?

I would have to say that all the hard work, the late nights and the ups and downs along the way are absolutely worth it when you see the look on a child’s face when they achieve, or when you see the tears of parents watching their child stand up in a room full of people and accept an award.