At present I am Lecturer at Dovestones with in Tameside College, where I teach adults with profound and specific learning difficulties. Working at Dovestones has given me such a magnificent insight into the many varied and complex learning needs of the students. It has given me a wider understanding of how creative subjects such as Art, Music, Dance and Drama, I provide such a stimulating and creative environment and cater and meet all students’ needs. I would relish the opportunity of becoming a full time Tutor in such an inspiring facility as Dovestones. I feel that I have the necessary qualities to offer to build on the good practice already in existence at the college. I have ensured that my tutor room and class room offers stimulating and interactive displays and has relevant visual resources and materials that they meet health and safety regulations. It has been my priority to ensure that the present ethos of your college has been and would continue to be of great importance whilst supporting the students through their education and promote person centered ethos within the area to ensure the best outcome for all learners.

I am responsible for the Planning and delivering teaching/learning programmes in eleven different sessions most of which I have never taught before, this has been a rewarding challenge and massively developed my teaching and learning skills. This experience has taught me very quickly how to use a flexible range of strategies and learning styles. I have taken responsibility for the quality of my own teaching and related curriculum development. I have developed learning resources/materials to meet individual learner needs and Assess student progress in College. I have devised assessment processes against highly personalised progress targets ILPS which I write.

As a personal tutor I liaise regularly with parents on learner progress and provide student advice, support as and when needed. I maintain records that support the learning experience and evidence levels of support that are provided. I was not involved in the student enrolment procedure at the start of this post but I do understand that if I am the successful candidate the importance of enrolment and internal and external marketing activities of the College. I have contributed to the programme area regarding curriculum development activities such as a whole Dovestones mural where all the students get to have the mark remembered in a multi-sensory piece of art which is still being developed and added to. This project has involved all learners who have various disabilities and learning difficulties. whilst working closely with my mentor I have contributed to the Quality Assurance process through curriculum validations, audits, inspections, self-assessment, and quality improvement plans and continue to develop my skills in Teaching and

learning I have learnt new management skills since I am responsible for seven LSOs in the room I am based in, this has been a very new challenging experience and has developed my self-confidence, diplomacy and organisation skills. I understand the value and the importance of creating achievable targets/objectives and undertake staff development as appropriate to ensure professional development remains current. Whilst working with such vulnerable adults I understand the importance and how essential it is to ensure that the College policies on Health and Safety are fully implemented.

Equality and Diversity is something I am able to observe and implement whilst working with the colleges equal Opportunity Policy. I understand the importance of the responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the young people that I am are responsible for or come into contact with. Working mostly with adults with who are mostly on the Sensory curriculum, has opened up my knowledge of how vast and complex their health needs are and how important it is to understand their needs which includes working with parents/guardians and outside agencies. I have been involved and participated in Colleges and external liaisons to ensure appropriate transition process for all the learners and any other duties commensurate within my post.

At my previous job at Ifield Community College I was a teacher of Citizenship Y10-11 plus 1-1 Literacy to S.E.N Y7/Y8 and 1-1 pastoral care where I was responsible for the planning and delivering lessons and assessments of pupils learning in small groups. My Y7 Transition GPS I was responsible for planning varied activities to support the students with their various emotional and behavior needs. As requested by the Head of Year and SMT I also offered 1-1 Pastoral support for students with emotional and behavior difficulties, Y7/Y13, with written evidence, coinciding with child protection laws. I worked closely with families and carer’s along with other professionals and multi-agency organisations.

From October 2005 to February 2006 I completed my first Teaching practice and placement at Dovestones. I went on to do voluntary work at Dovestones. I worked 1 day a week as Lecturer and Learning Support Officer. My responsibilities where 14-19 with sever and profound learning difficulties. I taught B-Tech National Diploma Entry Level Art, Level 1 Art, Drama citizenship for adults. I planned and delivered and developed assessments for pupils learning and classroom management. Including Reports and parents evening –

Extra Curriculum activities-after school clubs – 1-1 consultations- Being a form tutor and carrying out pastoral duties including PC.

I have been directly responsible as a subject teacher of Textiles and also as form tutor for the progress of my classes with reports and assessments being delivered to my line manager the Head of Art. Positive attitudes to learning are fundamental to individual success, therefore as a way to instill a culture of praise and to celebrate the student’s successes I contribute to the displays in the Art rooms. I am able to present lessons in a wide variety using a flexible range of strategies and learning styles whilst taking responsibility for quality of my own teaching and related curriculum development.

My previous post at Holy Cross Catholic High school saw 78% pass rate in Art and Design and 100% pass rate in 3D studies, so I am used to having high expectations being adhered to and achieved. The GCSE results were above the national average in Drawing and painting and 3D Studies. I ran three dinner time art sessions for two Y10 classes and two Y11 classes and also ran after school classes twice a week.

I also taught at Count hill School as subject teacher in Art, Textiles and Textiles Technology at key stage 3 & 4 including a GCSE class in Fine Art and Textiles. There have been different challenges at this school; some of the pupils had a lot of emotional and behavioral problems which stem from different social and economic backgrounds. My experience of working with children and young adults with specific learning difficulties supported me in enforcing different strategies for class room management. I attended parents evenings, offered extra curricula activities, including after school classes for the gifted and talented and after school classes for GCSE students. I was responsible for reports in key stage 3 and 4, assessments and curriculum mapping. I set realistic targets for improvement and development and set faculty action plans for the more challenging pupils. I had the responsibility for moderating my two GCSE classes which was a new challenge for me.

I have previously been on Supply in and around the Manchester area, covering art and design classes and also general cover. This has been an enlightening experience and has brought different challenges and experiences. This role has helped my confidence grow in my ability to adapt and change and has enhanced my class room management skills. It has been a really rewarding experience, I have learnt so much from going into different schools and observing different teaching styles. I have seen many different pastoral

departments and art departments; this has given me some fantastic ideas for delivering support for pupils and for Art and project briefs.

I have enjoyed working at Ifield Community College and have appreciated the opportunities offered. I am aware of the excellent progress that your college has made in recent years, not only in terms of your outstanding results but also with regards to its links with the wider community, including primary and secondary schools. I would enjoy being involved in helping to develop Dovestones further and share in good practice to aid the team in continuing to move onwards and upwards.

I should very much like to be considered for this post and I am confident that I have the necessary qualities, energy and commitment required. I look forward to hearing from you,

Yours sincerely,

Clare Guilfoyle