laura pile

I worked as an English Teacher at a language academy in Cordoba, Spain. This job provided me with the opportunity to work with a range of students of all ages and abilities (my youngest student is three and my oldest is twenty-four). I develop creative and engaging lessons that focus on an oral communication and pupil participation approach along with Cambridge Exam preparation for my older students. Teaching English has been an incredible experience which I feel has given me a varied toolbox of skills that will enhance my abilities as a Primary School teacher. I have learned, for example, the importance of modeling learning, differentiation and the importance of clear and concise instructions.

For my final placement for my PGCE I worked at a Resource Base for pupils with Autism and Social Communication Difficulties. The children in my class are ranging in age and key stage (6-10 years old) but were working at P-Levels in and around the Year One curriculum meaning that my strengths as a teacher are to differentiate appropriately for the children based on individual ability. They are taught by myself within the Resource Base but are also included in a mainstream classroom for some of their lessons. This was an incredible experience that helped me develop so much as a teacher and as an individual. It taught me to think outside of the box and developed both my resilience and my creativity

I worked for a year as a Teaching Assistant in a Nursery attached to a large multi-cultural Primary School, with a high percentage of EAL, in Cardiff. In addition to learning how education in an Early- Years setting works I became interested in the development of language and how best to provide for children with EAL. I was in charge of implementing a SPIRALS language development programme where I ran sessions to help develop children’s speech. During my time in the Nursery I also worked closely with a young boy with Autism and independently researched how to adapt teaching to his individual needs.

Upon returning from Sri Lanka as a volunteer I took up a three-month placement as Office Administration Assistant at SLV. My role involved facilitating visa applications, general administration required for aiding volunteers, answering pre- departure e-mails and phone calls, managing social media, assisting marketing strategy and recruiting volunteers. Although I enjoyed my experience working for SL Volunteers it cemented my knowledge that I wanted to work with children directly and pursue a career in teaching. This job was, however, valuable as it gave me many transferable skills that will benefit me throughout my teaching career: particularly regarding assessment and monitoring data.

I volunteered in the Sri Lanka aiding adults and children with SEN/D and teaching English as a second language. Whilst on this project I also completed training on working with vulnerable children and working with those with special educational needs. This experience was at times very challenging but ultimately one that I greatly enjoyed: demonstrating my ability to be creative and ready for anything. I found teaching and working with children with SEN/D incredibly rewarding and it ignited a passion to pursue a career working in these areas. Following this placement, I continued to travel around South- East Asia until returning to the UK in May 2015.

I undertook an internship working for a charity that specialised in supporting adults with Autism after leaving school. The charity found that often young adults left school and found themselves without support and being expected to know how to apply for jobs, attend interviews and find housing. Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru (ASCC) was set up to support these individuals during what can be a very confusing time. Working as a member of ASCC team I had the exciting opportunity to be a part of a charity at its very early stages. I was tasked with developing a public engagement strategy and to plan activities in the areas of securing partnerships, community fundraising and creating marketing materials; content I produced was used on an NHS website. I also regularly engaged with people with high functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome whilst organising, and assisting in, social events.

After finishing university I worked as a sales assistant in the home wear department of Primark. My duties included maintaining stock levels in order to maximise sales, promote specific lines, unpacking and checking off new deliveries, operating tills, maintaining consistent levels of excellent customer service and advising customers on purchases. I learnt lots of skills during my time working here: in particular resilience as a result of regularly working back to back 12 hour shifts on the shop floor. This demonstrates my determination to reach my goal as I was saving to travel at this point.

I worked as bar/ waitressing staff at numerous events across London during my time at University. My ability to interact with customers and deal with stressful situations meant that I greatly enjoyed working for the company.

My first PGCE placement was in a Year 4 class in a large junior school in Bristol. This was a fantastic first placement as it gave me a wealth of experience of what it means to work in a Primary School. Along with teaching (up to 80% by the end of the placement) all areas of the curriculum to a wide range of children (high percentage of pupil premium, EAL and SEN/D) I also ran my own interest group, taught swimming, went on camp, choreographed dance routines for talent shows and generally immersed myself in the wider school community. I was praised by the head teacher for making a brilliant contribution to the school and being a fantastic part of the team.