Heather Hardy

Current Job Title: Co-ordinator of 5-16 Speech & Language Therapy (SALT)
Start Date: Started in September 1991

Bladon House School

I graduated from Newcastle University after completing a 4 year degree in Speech Science.  I knew I wanted to work with children, and special needs appealed to me after attending one of my student placements.  I applied for the job as a new graduate because I was keen on working with a small specialist caseload within a school environment as I felt this would give me the opportunity to make a ‘real’ difference.  Sixteen years later I’m still at the school but as I have gained experience my job has expanded and now I have a management role as well as my clinical responsibilities.

My role has lots of good points. Despite my management role I still work in classes and have the opportunity to build up multi-disciplinary relationships with teachers, classroom assistants and also occupational therapists and physiologists.  I also work with house staff to support the residential programmes.  There are always plenty of colleagues to talk through a situation or to manage a problem.  My work is never boring since each new day brings a different range of challenges. 

Whilst I have been employed at Bladon House School I have received a range of training which has been very beneficial.  I am also currently being supported to do a Masters Degree in Autism.  Teamwork is a very important aspect of working here – you need to be a team player to successfully maximise your student’s potential.