Vanessa is a Passionate and Empathetic Graduate from UCL with Aspirations of being a SALT - Available Now for SEN TA Roles
Vanessa is a warm, enthusiastic Psychology and Language Sciences graduate from UCL who is aspiring to become a Speech and Language Therapist. She is keen to spend this academic year working as an SEN Teaching Assistant, gaining meaningful experience supporting children with additional needs while helping pupils develop their communication, confidence and independence.
Bilingual in English and Spanish, Vanessa has a genuine interest in how children communicate and learn and would be an excellent addition to a nurturing, inclusive school.
Education & Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Psychology and Language Sciences – Upper Second Class: University College London
- A Levels: Spanish (A*), Psychology (A), English Language (B), Business Studies (C) – William Perkin Church of England Sixth Form
- GCSEs: English Language (A), Mathematics (B), Economics (A), Philosophy (A), French (B), Latin (A), Spanish (A), RE (A*), PE (A)
Experience Summary
Vanessa already brings valuable experience across nursery, primary and secondary settings, including direct experience supporting pupils with SEN. Her academic background gives her a strong foundation in child development, communication, cognition and developmental language disorders, while her practical experience has developed the patience, adaptability and relationship-building skills that are so important in an SEN environment.
- Supported children across nursery, primary and secondary settings, including pupils with Special Educational Needs, adapting her approach and using patience to encourage positive engagement.
- Completed an Early Years placement at Kate Greenaway Nursery School, supporting children aged 2–4 through educational and play-based activities while developing experience in observation and safeguarding.
- Worked as a Spanish Teaching Mentor at Salusbury Primary School, taking responsibility for a group of 18 children aged 6–11 and adapting activities to make learning engaging, interactive and accessible.
- Gained classroom management experience as a Cover Supervisor, including supervising secondary classes of up to 30 pupils and maintaining a calm, constructive learning environment.
- Completed a UCL research project investigating the relationship between language performance and verbal and musical memory, including administering standardised assessments with child participants.
- Provided one-to-one music theory tuition to children, developing her ability to explain concepts clearly and support individual learning at an appropriate pace.
Key Strengths
- Strong academic understanding of language, communication, cognition and child development
- Genuine ambition to pursue a career in Speech and Language Therapy
- Previous experience supporting children with SEN
- Calm, patient and adaptable approach to supporting different needs
- Able to build positive relationships and encourage children's confidence, communication and participation
- Bilingual in English and Spanish, with a strong appreciation of language and different forms of communication
- Experience spanning Early Years, primary and secondary education
- Warm, proactive and enthusiastic about making a meaningful contribution to an inclusive school community