Elaine Redding

Care Manager, Rowden House School

I first joined Pegasus school in December 2000 as a Student Support Assistant (SSA), whilst deciding which route to take to further my education. I wanted an active, challenging job that would be rewarding, and where my actions and work practice could make a difference to peoples’ lives.

After a year I enrolled on an Access course at college, as well as being supported to learn British Sign Language whilst continuing to work part time hours at the school. I then started my teaching degree at Sheffield Hallam University, still being supported to work part time as a SSA throughout.  Upon qualifying I applied successfully for the position of Keystage 2/3 Teacher.

I currently teach a group of four pupils from age 8 - 12 with severe learning difficulties and associated challenging behaviour.  I have the support of two or three Student Support Assistants during the day and I work very closely with members of each child’s ‘multidisciplinary team’, from unit managers and key care through to the nurses and the Speech and Language Therapy team, so there is always someone to talk to.

The role can be both physically and mentally challenging, but the rewards from analysing situations, drawing upon my own and others knowledge and experience and being able to implement programmes and techniques that have such successful outcomes for students, makes each day different and gives a real feeling of being able to make a difference.