Terri – Experienced Graduate Teaching Assistant | Aspiring Psychology & Religious Studies Teacher | University of Kent
Terri is an experienced and academically strong Psychology graduate with four years of classroom experience across mainstream, specialist SEN, primary and secondary settings. With a 2:1 BSc in Psychology, alongside a strong academic background in Religious Studies, she is now keen to develop within a secondary school before progressing towards teacher training in Psychology and Religious Studies. Terri already brings substantial hands-on experience of SEND, interventions, whole-class cover and lesson delivery, giving her a level of classroom confidence and maturity that would allow her to make an immediate contribution.
She is particularly passionate about helping young people think critically, explore different perspectives and develop the confidence to express their ideas.
Education & Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Psychology, Upper Second Class Honours: University of Kent
- A Levels: Sociology (B), Religious Studies (B), Psychology (C): Harris Girls' Academy Sixth Form
- GCSEs: English (9), Religious Studies (9), Geography (8), Biology (7), Chemistry (6), Mathematics (6), Physics (6), Spanish (6), French (A): Stanborough Secondary School
Experience Summary
Terri offers considerably more school-based experience than a typical graduate candidate, having worked continuously across education settings since 2022. She has supported pupils with complex additional needs, delivered targeted interventions, contributed to EHCP processes and taken responsibility for whole-class teaching. This experience provides a strong foundation for a secondary Teaching Assistant role and her longer-term ambition of becoming a qualified teacher.
- Four years of classroom experience across mainstream primary, secondary and specialist SEN environments, supporting pupils with a broad range of academic, behavioural and emotional needs
- Experienced providing individualised support for pupils with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and complex learning needs, using strategies including visual timetables, PECS, Makaton and sensory interventions
- Trusted to provide whole-class cover, including planning and delivering lessons while maintaining positive behaviour and continuity of learning
- Delivers one-to-one and small-group literacy and numeracy interventions, adapting support for pupils at risk of underachievement and monitoring progress closely
- Experienced implementing EHCP strategies and contributing observations, pupil work and progress evidence to assessments and reviews alongside SENCOs and Educational Psychologists
- Provides sensitive pastoral and emotional support, helping pupils experiencing anxiety, low self-esteem and other barriers to recognise triggers and develop regulation strategies
- Brings direct secondary-school experience through examination invigilation and earlier Teaching Assistant work, alongside a clear ambition to specialise in Psychology and Religious Studies
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, professional record-keeping and collaborative working with teachers, SEND professionals and families