1. At present I am Lecturer at Dovestones with in Tameside College, where I
teach adults with profound and specific learning difficulties. Working at
Dovestones has given me such a magnificent insight into the many varied and
complex learning needs of the students. Ithas given me a wider understanding
of how creative subjects such as Art, Music, Danceand Drama, I providesuch a
stimulating and creative environment and cater and meet all students’ needs. I
would relish the opportunity of becoming a full time Tutor in such an inspiring
facility as Dovestones. I feelthat I havethe necessary qualities to offer to build
on the good practice already in existence at the college. I have ensured that my
tutor roomand class roomoffers stimulating and interactive displays and has
relevant visualresources and materials that they meet health and safety
regulations. Ithas been my priority to ensurethat the present ethos of your
college has been and would continue to be of great importance whilst
supporting the students through their education and promoteperson centered
ethos within the area to ensurethe best outcome for all learners.
I am responsiblefor the Planning and delivering teaching/learning programmes
in eleven different sessions mostof which I have never taught before, this has
been a rewarding challenge and massively developed my teaching and learning
skills. This experience has taught me very quickly how to use a flexible range of
strategies and learning styles. I have taken responsibility for the quality of my
own teaching and related curriculumdevelopment. I have developed learning
resources/materials to meet individual learner needs and Assess student
progress in College. I havedevised assessmentprocessesagainsthighly
personalised progress targets ILPS which I write.
As a personaltutor I liaise regularly with parents on learner progress and
providestudent advice, supportas and when needed. I maintain records that
supportthe learning experience and evidence levels of supportthat are
provided. I was not involved in the student enrolment procedureat the startof
this postbut I do understand that if I am the successfulcandidatethe
importance of enrolment and internal and external marketing activities of the
College. I havecontributed to the programmearea regarding curriculum
development activities such as a whole Dovestones muralwhere all the
students get to have the mark remembered in a multi-sensory piece of art
which is still being developed and added to. This projecthas involved all
learners who have various disabilities and learning difficulties. whilst working
closely with my mentor I have contributed to the Quality Assuranceprocess
through curriculumvalidations, audits, inspections, self-assessment, and
quality improvement plans and continue to develop my skills in Teaching and

2. learning I have learnt new management skills since I am responsiblefor seven
LSOs in the room I am based in, this has been a very new challenging
experience and has developed my self-confidence, diplomacy and organisation
skills. I understand the value and the importanceof creating achievable
targets/objectives and undertake staff development as appropriateto ensure
professionaldevelopmentremains current. Whilst working with such
vulnerable adults I understand the importance and how essential it is to ensure
that the College policies on Health and Safety are fully implemented.
Equality and Diversity is something I am able to observeand implement whilst
working with the colleges equal Opportunity Policy. I understand the
importance of the responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of
the young people that I am are responsiblefor or come into contact with.
Working mostly with adults with who are mostly on the Sensory curriculum,
has opened up my knowledgeof how vastand complex their health needs are
and how important it is to understand their needs which includes working with
parents/guardians and outsideagencies. I havebeen involved and participated
in Colleges and external liaisons to ensureappropriatetransition process for all
the learners and any other duties commensuratewithin my post.
At my previous job at Ifield Community College I was a teacher of Citizenship
Y10-11 plus 1-1 Literacy to S.E.N Y7/Y8 and 1-1 pastoralcare whereI was
responsiblefor the planning and delivering lessons and assessments of pupils
learning in small groups. My Y7 Transition GPS I was responsiblefor planning
varied activities to supportthe students with their various emotional and
behavior needs. As requested by the Head of Year and SMT I also offered 1-1
Pastoralsupportfor students with emotional and behavior difficulties, Y7/Y13,
with written evidence, coinciding with child protection laws. I worked closely
with families and carer’s along with other professionals and multi-agency
organisations.
FromOctober 2005 to February 2006 I completed my firstTeaching practice
and placement at Dovestones. I wenton to do voluntary work atDovestones. I
worked 1 day a week as Lecturer and Learning Support Officer. My
responsibilities where 14-19 with sever and profound learning difficulties. I
taught B-Tech National Diploma Entry Level Art, Level 1 Art, Drama citizenship
for adults. I planned and delivered and developed assessments for pupils
learning and classroommanagement. Including Reports and parents evening –

3. Extra Curriculumactivities-after schoolclubs – 1-1 consultations- Being a form
tutor and carrying outpastoralduties including PC.
I have been directly responsibleas a subjectteacher of Textiles and also as
formtutor for the progress of my classes with reports and assessments being
delivered to my line manager the Head of Art. Positive attitudes to learning
are fundamental to individual success, thereforeas a way to instill a culture of
praiseand to celebrate the student’s successes I contributeto the displays in
the Artrooms. I am able to presentlessons in a wide variety using a flexible
range of strategies and learning styles whilsttaking responsibility for quality of
my own teaching and related curriculumdevelopment.
My previous postat Holy Cross Catholic High schoolsaw 78% pass ratein Art
and Design and 100% pass ratein 3D studies, so I am used to having high
expectations being adhered to and achieved. The GCSE results were abovethe
national average in Drawing and painting and 3D Studies. I ran three dinner
time art sessions for two Y10 classes and two Y11 classes and also ran after
schoolclasses twice a week.
I also taught at Count hill Schoolas subjectteacher in Art, Textiles and Textiles
Technology at key stage 3 & 4 including a GCSEclass in Fine Art and Textiles.
There have been different challenges at this school; someof the pupils had a
lot of emotional and behavioralproblems which stem fromdifferent social and
economic backgrounds. My experienceof working with children and young
adults with specific learning difficulties supported me in enforcing different
strategies for class roommanagement. I attended parents evenings, offered
extra curricula activities, including after schoolclasses for the gifted and
talented and after schoolclasses for GCSE students. I was responsiblefor
reports in key stage3 and 4, assessments and curriculummapping. I set
realistic targets for improvement and development and set faculty action plans
for the more challenging pupils. I had the responsibility for moderating my two
GCSE classes which was a new challenge for me.
I have previously been on Supply in and around the Manchester area, covering
art and design classes and also general cover. This has been an enlightening
experience and has broughtdifferent challenges and experiences. This role has
helped my confidence grow in my ability to adaptand change and has
enhanced my class room management skills. Ithas been a really rewarding
experience, I have learnt so much from going into different schools and
observing differentteaching styles. I haveseen many different pastoral

4. departments and art departments; this has given me some fantastic ideas for
delivering supportfor pupils and for Art and projectbriefs.
I have enjoyed working at Ifield Community College and have appreciated the
opportunities offered. I am aware of the excellent progress thatyour college
has made in recent years, not only in terms of your outstanding results but also
with regards to its links with the wider community, including primary and
secondary schools. I would enjoy being involved in helping to develop
Dovestones further and sharein good practice to aid the team in continuing to
move onwards and upwards.
I should very much like to be considered for this post and I am confident that I
have the necessary qualities, energy and commitment required. I look forward
to hearing fromyou,
Yours sincerely,
Clare Guilfoyle