Ellen Storton
NVQ Level 3 qualified education professional with extensive special needs training and over 30 years experience in child care
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About
A dedicated, empathetic and NVQ Level 3 qualified education professional with extensive special needs training and over 30 years experience in child care. Known for a patient, reliable and caring approach, I excel at building strong, understanding relationships with both children and adults. I am highly punctual, enthusiastic about continuous professional development and hold a full clean driving licence.
My background is backed by robust, up-to-date training in safeguarding, Team-Teach, autism awareness, speech & language and positive behaviour concepts. Combining a proactive attitude toward gaining new skills with absolute honesty and strong communication skills, I am looking to secure a position where I can provide a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for young children.
Experience
Teaching Assistant SEN 1-2-1 - Moss Side PS - Paradise Lane, Leyland
(2020-11 - 2026-08)
Working with children with various special needs in a mainstream setting. The role involved providing individualised support, managing 'brain breaks' to help children understand their own feelings and emotions, using humour and distraction techniques, and adapting approaches for individual children in different situations. Working with a severely autistic child one-to-one for three years from Reception class to Year 2, using visual timetables, verbal and visual prompts, and helping smooth transitions throughout the day.
Also worked with a child who could only access school for 45 minutes per day due to anxiety in the Reception class environment.
- Provided one-to-one support to multiple children with varying needs including autism and anxiety
- Used brain breaks and emotional regulation techniques to help children manage their feelings
- Employed visual timetables, symbols, and verbal prompts to support understanding and reduce anxiety
- Facilitated transitions throughout the school day to minimize distress
- Worked collaboratively with teachers and parents to support child progress
- Used distraction techniques, humour, singing and dancing to support learning and emotional regulation
- Established clear boundaries and built trusting relationships with children
- Adapted teaching approaches based on individual child needs
- Identified and resolved emotional and behavioural issues before they escalated
Supply Teaching Assistant - Various schools and nurseries
(2019-07 - 2020-11)
Working on supply basis across multiple schools and nurseries.
Teaching Assistant SEN 1-2-1 - Moss Side PS - Paradise Lane, Leyland
(2018-09 - 2019-07)
Working one-to-one with a severely autistic child in Reception class. Used sign along, symbols and taught the child to use his PECS book to communicate. The child's speech improved significantly and became more settled as he knew he was understood.
- Used sign along and symbols to support communication
- Taught child to use PECS book for communication
- Implemented now and next board and timer for transitions
- Child progressed to requesting items verbally
Supply Teaching Assistant - Various schools and nurseries
(2018-05 - 2019-09)
Working on supply basis across multiple schools and nurseries.
Teaching Assistant SEN 1-2-1 - St Matthews - New Hall Ln, Preston
(2017-09 - 2018-05)
- Used sign along and symbols to support understanding
- Supported child development in self-help skills
- Facilitated peer interactions
- Supported personal care including changing nappy
Supply Teaching Assistant - Various schools and nurseries
(2017-07 - 2017-09)
Working on supply basis across multiple schools and nurseries.
Teaching Asst SEN 1-2-1 - St Oswald's Catholic PS - Spendmore Ln, Coppull
(2017-01 - 2017-07)
Working with a child with Global Delay in class 3. Helped the child settle in from a different school. Worked in small groups with children of low level ability. Communicated regularly with parents about child progress, behaviour and development.
- Supported child settling into new school environment
- Worked in small groups with low ability children
- Used praise, encouragement and humour
- Used reward charts and objects to support independent work
- Enhanced child self-esteem
- Maintained regular parent communication
Supply Teaching Assistant - Various schools and nurseries - Isle of Man
(2015-03 - 2016-07)
Working on supply basis across multiple schools and nurseries on the Isle of Man.
Teaching Assistant - Astley Park School - Harrington Road, Chorley
(2012-09 - 2014-11)
- Used visual time table and symbols for communication
- Implemented sign along to support understanding
- Developed child independence and confidence
- Supported socialization with peers
- Delivered speech and language programmes
- Gradually reduced support as child progressed
Supply Teaching Assistant - Various schools and nurseries
(2011-09 - 2012-09)
Working on supply basis across multiple schools and nurseries.
Teaching Asst SEN 1-2-1 – LUFAP - St Andrews C of E PS - Woodlea Rd, Leyland
(2009-09 - 2011-08)
- Used visual time table and PECS for communication
- Delivered one-to-one IEP work
- Delivered speech and language work
- Worked in small groups with adaptations for individual child
- Daily communication with teacher and parents
- Maintained daily diary for parent updates
Assistant Leisure Activity Instructor/Coach - Chorley Council
(2010-06 - 2012-12)
- Delivered art activities with children
- Supported music and dance activities
- Provided personal care and settling support
- Supported tea time and feeding
- Modelled good behaviour
- Encouraged peer communication
- Communicated with parents
Teaching Assistant - Euxton Primrose Hill Primary School
(2007-04 - 2009-08)
Nursery Nurse - Learning Steps After-school Club - Parker St, Chorley
(2006-08 - 2009-08)
Teaching Assistant L3 - Ribbleton Avenue Infant School - Ribbleton Ave, Preston
(2006-01 - 2006-08)
Supporting a teacher in Year 1 within a multi-cultural school. Taking small groups of children out of the classroom and doing S.E.N. work with them. Providing extra support to children whose first language was not English.
Preparing work for the teacher and delivering activities to the children which the teacher had planned. Providing feedback to the teacher on how the activities had been received by the children. Taking the class into the library, changing books and encouraging reading.
Communicating with the teacher on all aspects to ensure the classroom runs smoothly.
- Supported small group S.E.N. work
- Provided extra support to EAL learners
- Prepared work for teacher
- Delivered planned activities to children
- Provided feedback to teacher
- Library support and promotion of reading
- Maintained smooth classroom communication
Education Mentor - White House Park - Chorley Road, Withnell, Chorley
(2004-06 - 2005-12)
Working on a one to one basis with young people who have emotional, behavioural difficulties and also special needs. Delivered activities that the teacher had planned and did a lot of Phonics work, plus games with the young people as this enhances their awareness of different sounds and blends giving them the confidence to learn to read and write.
- Worked with young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties
- Delivered teacher-planned activities
- Delivered phonics work
- Used games to develop sound and blend awareness
- Supported reading and writing confidence
Nursery Nurse & Morning Club Supervisor - St Peter CE School - Chorley
(2003-01 - 2004-06)
Welfare Assistant - St Gregory's RC Primary School - Eaves Lane, Chorley
(2002-10 - 2002-12)
SEN Support Assistant - St Gregory's RC PS - Eaves Lane, Chorley
(2002-02 - 2002-12)
After-school Club Supervisor - St Gregory's RC PS - Eaves Lane, Chorley
(2001-09 - 2002-12)
Day Care Officer - Hawthorns Day Centre - Gloucester Road, Chorley
(2001-03 - 2002-02)
Education
Level 2 - English - Runshaw College Adult Centre (2010-10 - 2011-02)
Level 2 - Adult Numeracy - Runshaw College Adult Centre (2010-03 - 2010-07)
Stage A - Psychology - Open College (2004-09 - 2005-01)
NVQ Level 3 - Child Care & Education - City & Guilds (1997-02 - 1997-07)
NVQ Level 2 - Child Care & Education - City & Guilds (1996-04 - 1996-09)
Stage A - Understanding & Care of Young Children - Open College (1995-09 - 1996-01)
ETG – Enterprise Training Centre (1996-04 - 1997-07)
Runshaw College (1995-09 - 1996-01)
Robert Koch Shule (1982-01 - 1988-12)
