bellavia training & consultancy
London
As a young NQT eager to get into the classroom, I was so fortunate to land my
first teaching role at a re-known South Leicestershire Primary School. My
teaching style: Focus on what they 'can do' build self-esteem & resilience &
deepen understanding. With this positive approach to children's learning I
noticed that before long, their confidence to tackle the tasks they couldn't do
grew, often with exceptional results. Although my heart always remained in the
classroom, it wasn't long before I started moving into more Senior roles as I
was keen to impact on whole school development. Passionate about getting the
right learning to children when they are younger, I went on to become Head of
Key Stage 1 & Literacy with a special interest in how phonics was taught. When
you first qualify to become a teacher, interests you may have had then, often
change. Always the creative at heart I often took learning away from the desk &
into the hall as children re-enacted key periods in history/literacy texts
through dance/drama/music. Not only did we cover the curriculum, but it also
gave children who may have struggled in the classroom, the opportunity to shine
through the arts. Recognising & nurturing children's talents in this way was so
rewarding & boosted their confidence back in the classroom too. I went onto
become Advanced skills teacher of performing arts. As well as working with my
incredibly talented Deputy Head/Head of Music to develop our reputation in this
area, I was also seconded to work in other schools in the county to develop that
part of the curriculum for them too. I then diversified & became Head of
Behaviour Management & Pupil Well-Being. I attending various seminars run by the
incredibly inspirational Dr Bill Rogers (Behaviour Management Specialist who
sketched his way through seminars rather than power-points!) His simple yet
effective strategies changed the way we managed behaviour back in the classroom.
As we know, children mis-behave for a reason. If we can get to the root of it,
we can work together to find ways to de-escalate a situation before a child
ultimately goes into crisis. Unsurprisingly, I developed an interest &
connection with Team Teach, award-winning 'positive handling' training which
helps staff support pupils with challenging behaviour.
