Ros Thomson

Hello, I have just completed my Teacher Training in Art and Design and I am now ready to take the next step! I hope to work in either a School or a College to support students in their learning in order to make a difference in their lives which I find very rewarding.  My current qualifications include BA (Hons) in Fine art, PGCE in Art and Design, Extended Diploma in General Art and Design, and GCSE English and Maths have helped me to achieve my goal of finishing my teacher training programme. In my time, I have taught Level 1 Art and Design and I have observed the Level 2s and 3s in the same subject. From this experience, I have felt a lot of reward from students in their creative development by teaching them specialist skills. My role in the training helped me to understand different learner needs and to support them by having close contact with Student Support. I sometimes had to change plans and adapt ideas and expectations so each and every one of the students can individually achieve their goals. The skills that I have learned whilst working with Level 1 Art and Design Students at Suffolk New College are how to deliver lessons with Mental Health and Learning Disability needs in the classroom by communicating to the students in what would work best for their learning such as working with an LSP or working online via Google Meet and taking time out if need be. I have approached this by creatively using 'real-life situations' in order to embed employability skills. I have experienced the College's standardisation events by seeing how my mentor marks the students' work such as their FMP. Therefore I have more of an insight in what a Referal, Pass, Merit and Distinction look like by comparing them to the grading criteria. I have attended many CPD sessions including Well-Being, Behavior, Safeguarding, Prevent, British Values, ESOL, SEND and LGBTQ+. The workshops helped me to understand the alternative side to teaching instead of just helping the learners to learn the subject. My most recent teaching observations have given me an insight into how other teachers manage behavior and their teaching styles to see what works best for their students. Therefore this has given me the 'bigger picture' into teaching. I am able to adapt my communication skills with Staff, Students, and Adults outside of College, I have an open and sincere approach to supporting anyone by keeping people at ease by finding a middle ground in order to get the best from them. Although I have not spoken to any parents as of yet, I have had a great rapport with my students and with Adults by working in retail in order to give them great communication and confidence in the institution. My organisational skills are very important to me because I have a schedule in order to help me keep on top of things such as lesson planning well in advance, setting deadlines for the students, communicating with my colleagues in order to work as a team and to support the students as much as possible. I definitely enjoy working with my colleagues by helping them work to the best of their ability. I enjoy this approach because I gain satisfaction from solving problems and find different ways to support my learners learning with the help of my colleagues. I have a positive attitude in developing my skills, knowledge and ability within regard to my own teaching practice. I understand that the education sector is constantly evolving and improving and I am keen to keep up with any changes that may happen in my teaching practice. I have a good understanding of the needs of others as well as adapting quickly if something does not go to plan. I am willing to undertake a QTLS in January time in order to develop my teaching practice even further. Moreover, I am aware of safeguarding awareness by always communicating a problem to the DSL if something is not right via MyConcern. 

Step Teachers 

7, CHALK HILL HOUSE,

19 Rosary Rd, 

Norwich 

NR1 1SZ

From 11/2020 - to Now

Cover Supervisor/Teaching Assistant- Working in Primary and Secondary Schools across Norfolk and Suffolk including IES Breckland, Ormiston Victory Academy, Queensway Academy, Kenninghall Primary School, Catch 22, Ashleigh Primary School & Nursery, Admirals Academy and Raleigh Infant Academy. 

The responsibilities involved managing behaviour and giving the information that the teacher has set out for the pupils to do. This helped with my confidence in speaking to the class, helping the classroom teacher, having one to one reading sessions and controlling the pupils behaviour and well - being. In addition to this, I have dealt with Pupils who have ADHD, Depression, Anxiety and Autism so I have more of an understanding of these learning needs.

Riverwalk,

Mayfield Rd, 

Bury St Edmunds, 

IP33 2PD

From 04/04/21 - To 05/04/21

Reason for leaving - Educational Purposes 

Cover Teaching Assistant at River Walk and Sexton’s Manor, these two schools were for pupils with Special educational needs. These involved some challenging behaviour but it helped me understand their needs and what was tolerated and what was not. 

Suffolk New College 

Rope Walk,

Ipswich 

IP4 1LT

From 09/2021 - To Now 

Training to Teach Level 1 Art and Design. I present lessons, help the students to think independently, encourage them to research around a certain topic, help them to explore different materials and to reach their full potential. 

PGCE at Suffolk New College - Pass

AET at West Suffolk College - Pass

Ba (Hons) Fine Art at University of Lincoln - 2:2 

General Art and Design at West Suffolk College - Merit

GCSE at Thetford Grammar School - Art: C, D.T: B, Science: C, Maths: C, English: C, Music: C.