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‘He’s such a success story!!’
For many a change in career can represent a daunting prospect, none more so than for 51-
year-old mum of three Debbie Neil, going from working in a merchant bank to qualified
special needs teacher.
Neil began her working life in a merchant bank in the city, but in 1990 left her job to become
stay at home mum around the time she had her first child with Husband Chris.
She would remain a stay at home mum until 1998, when her husband was made redundant,
bringing about a sudden and unexpected return to work with a local bank.
However, just when things appeared to be on an even keel, redundancy hit again in 2003,
leaving Debbie herself unemployed and looking for work.
Though much time would be taken up sounding out potential employers, Neil also used her
time away from city life as a period of reflection in trying to determine her true calling in
life.
After some deliberation, it became clear that having already helped out her own children at
various schools, a career in the teaching profession would be the way to go.
Neil subsequently distributed a letter to ‘Futures’, formally known as Thorpe Bay High
School, in which she expressed her interest in helping those with additional needs.
Although she received nothing by way of response, an advert in the local paper revealing a
vacancy for a learning support assistant at the same institution provided another
opportunity. An opportunity she grasped with both hands in April 2004, assuming the role of
Learning Support Assistant, teaching a combination of Maths and English.
However in order to sustain a career as a Learning Support Assistant, Neil was required to
undertake an N.V.Q Level 3 in teaching assistance.
To enhance her experience still further it was suggested that she apply for a job as a cover
supervisor, enabling her to step in and supervise lessons if and when required to do so.
The application proved successful and Neil began her job as cover supervisor the following
September, and would assume the role for a year - handing out work and supervising etc.;
though she was yet to assume responsibility for setting and grading work.
Around Easter 2005, things really opened up for Neil, as following a family crisis, the teacher
normally charged with looking after the ‘mature group’ of year seven students with special
needs, had to return home to her native South Africa, leaving a significant hole to fill; a hole
that Debbie Neil was to fill with aplomb.

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Also around this time, one of the Deputy Heads initiated a learning programme entitled
‘Integrated Curriculum, a programme that ensures pupils remain with a particular teacher -
thus establishing much needed continuity.
Neil was earmarked as a candidate, only there was a stumbling block - she wasn’t qualified.
However a compromise was reached, one that would allow her spend one day a week at the
University of Essex studying Special Education, and four days a week teaching.
The course was to last six years, concluding just this summer in gaining an honours degree in
teaching. However, when the ‘Integrated Curriculum’ programme was scrapped, Neil was
forced to select a specialist subject. In the event she chose English and taught special needs
pupils across both years seven and eight.
Debbie Neil completed the final part of her qualification last half term by passing the
national skills test and as a result, is now on the training scheme which involves twelve
weeks of observations. If successful she will become a qualified teacher capable of teaching
year seven, eight’s, and A - level students.
Through spending time with Neil it’s clear that despite fond memories of her time in the city
“I loved my career in the city - socializing and being part of a big cooperation”. “They spoil
you”, nothing comes close to the immense sense of satisfaction of being in the classroom
and helping troubled individuals like 14-year-old Sheridan, who came to Neil as the 11-year-
old son of a single mum with the reading age of five, and whose father is in the midst of a
15-year jail sentence “He’s still very low ability [academically] says Neil - but he never gets
into trouble, tries really hard, and though there are the occasional tantrums - he’s such a
success story”.
City life can teach you organization and focus, but it cannot teach the value of compassion
and emotional connection in an ever challenging world.

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