Emma G

Dynamic robust leader who can embrace new challenges. Passionate about enabling young people to develop good self-esteem and to achieve academically. Extensive knowledge of working in an education setting with a vision to bring education alive in creative ways to achieve success for each learner. Passionate about inclusion.

Deputy Headteacher - Start-Up SEMH Independent School

(2026-01 - current)

Appointed as part of the founding leadership team to support the successful launch of a new SEMH independent school with capacity for 120 learners with EHCPs. Opening July 2026.

• Led on the development, implementation, and monitoring of whole-school policies and procedures in line with statutory and regulatory requirements
• Managed full recruitment cycle for teaching, administrative, and support staff, ensuring a high-quality workforce aligned with the school's vision and values
• Established and embedded robust safeguarding systems, including safer recruitment practices, staff training, and compliance with statutory guidance (e.g. Keeping Children Safe in Education)
• Oversaw onboarding processes, ensuring all pre-employment checks (DBS, references, right to work) and safer recruitment requirements were fully met
• Designed and implemented a comprehensive staff induction and ongoing CPD programme to ensure high standards of teaching, behaviour management, and pastoral care
• Ensured compliance with health and safety legislation, including site readiness, risk assessments, and operational procedures for a safe learning environment
• Played a key role in the successful completion of the Ofsted pre-registration process, contributing to a positive outcome
• Led curriculum development tailored to SEMH learners, ensuring accessibility, engagement, and alignment with EHCP outcomes and individual needs
• Organised and delivered open days and stakeholder engagement events to build relationships with parents, carers, and the wider community
• Liaised effectively with local authorities, external agencies, and professionals to support admissions, placements, and multi-agency working
• Supported families through the EHCP process, ensuring clarity around provision and assessing whether the school could meet individual learner needs
• Contributed to the strategic vision, ethos, and culture of a new specialist provision from inception
• Developed systems for behaviour support, pastoral care, and therapeutic approaches suited to SEMH learners
• Implemented MIS and data tracking systems to monitor attendance, behaviour, progress, and safeguarding concerns
• Supported admissions processes, including consultation responses and transition planning for new learners
• Ensured equality, diversity, and inclusion principles were embedded across all aspects of school development

Deputy Headteacher DSL – SEMH School - Olive Academies Alternative Provision

(2025-02 - current)

Strategic senior leader with a proven track record of delivering rapid improvement in challenging settings. Successfully increased whole-school attendance from 23% to 57.1% in just three months through targeted interventions, rigorous monitoring, and collaborative work with the LEA. Experienced in safeguarding leadership, staff development, operational management, and stakeholder engagement, with a strong focus on student wellbeing, SEND provision, and multi-agency partnership working.

• Operationally oversaw strategic changes during the school's transition to an academy ensuring effective implementation of processes and new referral process in relation to safeguarding, attendance and outreach
• Led and supported staff through organisational change, including delivering weekly CPD in behaviour safeguarding and attendance
• Developed and embedded whole-school processes for inclusion and behaviour
• Built excellent relationships with parents and external agencies including LEA attendance officer, Head Teachers and Pastoral support leaders
• Managed and developed the Outreach Team, strengthening engagement with students, families, and partner agencies
• Drove significant attendance improvement through targeted interventions, data-led tracking, and partnership with the LEA Attendance Officer
• Promoted and supported staff and student wellbeing, implementing proactive strategies and providing pastoral care
• Operational lead for daily Senior Leadership Team meetings, overseeing staffing, timetabling, and operational priorities
• Performance managed teachers and support staff, setting clear objectives and delivering constructive feedback
• Delivered whole-school safeguarding training and ensured compliance via accurate maintenance of the Single Central Register
• Produced impactful whole-school communications for parents, strengthening home–school relationships
• Designed and implemented staff induction pathways for smooth onboarding of new employees
• Built effective partnerships with local services, including police, schools, and social care, to support student needs
• Supported SEND provision, ensuring interventions met EHCP requirements and improved student outcomes
• Oversaw and quality-assured CPOMS safeguarding case management, allocating workloads and reviewing progress
• Conducted emergency home visits to re-engage emotionally school-avoidant students
• DSL and Safeguarding Lead
• Training and Development lead on Trauma Informed Practice for all staff
• Reported weekly attendance data and analysis to the Trust identifying trends, concerns and priority actions to support improvement across the school
• Line managed teaching staff the Designated Safeguarding Lead and attendance Officer, providing clear direction, performance management and ongoing professional development
• Worked closely with Senior Leaders and Trust partners to implement attendance safeguarding and behaviour priorities aligned with strategic objectives
• Fire Marshall and First Aid lead on Medical tracker

Deputy Head / SENCO / DSL / acting Head - Bellevue School Jockey Lane Kent - Kent

(2024-04 - 2025-01)

Initially employed as SENCO and Assistant Headteacher and after a term placed in a temporary position to lead the school, an independent SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) school. Responsible for the overall leadership and management of the school, ensuring a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all students and staff. Role involved implementing trauma-informed practices, maintaining rigorous safeguarding standards, and promoting positive behaviour strategies.

Worked closely with staff, parents, and external agencies to support the welfare and educational development of students, particularly those with complex needs.

• As Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensured strict adherence to safeguarding policies and procedures in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education
• Maintained and oversaw accurate safeguarding records, including the children's central register, and ensured all concerns were promptly recorded and managed using CPOMS
• Regularly reviewed safeguarding meetings and ensured that all relevant actions were followed up and documented
• Worked in collaboration with Local Education Authorities (LEAs), psychologists, and other external agencies to support the safeguarding and mental health needs of students
• Reported to the Child Exploitation Forum (CEF) as required, ensuring all necessary documentation was completed
• Implemented and managed trauma-informed practices across the school, ensuring that all staff were trained and supported in these approaches
• Developed and promoted strategies that supported the emotional and mental health of students, creating a nurturing environment that met their individual needs
• Supported staff welfare by providing regular supervision, training, and development opportunities, particularly in areas related to behaviour management and Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs)
• Engaged with parents and guardians, providing support and guidance on their child's welfare and educational progress
• Developed and oversaw positive behaviour strategies as part of a whole-school approach
• Trained staff in behaviour management techniques, including positive handling, to ensure the safety and well-being of both students and staff
• Coordinated the school's timetable, ensuring it met the needs of all students and aligned with the curriculum
• Managed the school budget, working within financial constraints to ensure the effective use of resources
• Collaborated with the Attendance Manager to monitor and improve student attendance, implementing strategies to reduce absenteeism
• Ensured all information was accurately recorded and reported, including maintaining up-to-date records for audits and inspections
• Accurately recorded behaviour attendance on CPOMS and Arbor
• Supported staff in welfare and disciplinary and safeguarding procedures
• Carried out PEPs to a timely ordered termly nature and recording of information
• Carried out Annual Reviews and completed statutory paperwork to a deadline to the Local Authority
• Worked closely with LEAs, educational psychologists, and other professionals to support the educational and emotional needs of students

Assistant Headteacher / SENCO / DSL - Bellevue School Jockey Lane Kent - Kent

(2021-01 - 2024-04)

As Assistant Headteacher with whole school responsibilities, took strategic decisions about the directions of the school, working alongside the Headteacher to improve and develop the school. As SENCO carried out statutory assessments and Statutory Annual Reviews.

• Planned and coordinated statutory assessment SEN reviews (Annual Reviews)
• Planned and coordinated statutory SEN assessments (Section 5 Assessment Request)
• Completed Section 5 CYP's referrals for assessment into the school and liaised with parents/carers and education psychologists
• Completed section 5 referrals for assessment out of the school and liaised with parents/carers and education psychologists
• Contributed to a whole school improvement plan
• Supported staff through SEN processes
• Supported the headteacher with line management of staff
• Contributed to whole school behaviour management policies
• Statutory obligation as a trained DSL
• Statutory obligation as a trained Trauma Informed Practice trainer
• Statutory obligation as a trained First Aider
• Statutory obligation to contribute to the school improvement plan
• Statutory obligation to lead on the quality assurance of teaching and practice on the SEND provision in the school

Teacher SEMH Secondary School - Bellevue School, Jockey Lane Kent - Kent

(2019-04 - 2021-01)

Taught mixed ability classes and nurture groups in specialist SEMH provision with students with significant behavioural and emotional needs.

• Taught mixed ability classes and established positive relationships with students with significant behavioural and emotional needs using behaviour management strategies, de-escalation techniques and emotional intelligence
• Taught in nurture groups and managed complex classroom dynamics within specialist SEMH provision
• Delivered personalised lessons to meet the needs of students with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties using differentiation
• Recorded progress and assessment information using the school's Management Information System (MIS)
• Delivered Literacy and Numeracy across KS3 and KS4
• Taught Personal Social Health Education (PSHE) and guided students on healthy lifestyle choices
• Used learning support assistants (LSAs) effectively to support differentiation and deliver small group work
• Delivered formal assessments as per assessment for learning requirements

Trainee Teacher SEMH Secondary School - Bellevue School Jockey Lane Kent - Kent

(2018-05 - 2019-04)

Successfully completed a PGCE in Secondary Education with specialism in Behaviour, Emotional and Social Health (SEMH).

Volunteer Teaching Assistant - Bellevue School Jockey Lane Kent - Kent

(2015-04 - 2018-05)

• Worked with identified students on one-to-one basis to develop literacy and numeracy skills
• Supported positive behaviour management
• Assisted in the delivery of differentiated lessons and small group work
• Provided emotional and pastoral care to vulnerable young people
• Supported students through transitions to secondary and tertiary provision
• Assisted in managing documentation and student records
• Supported in EHCP annual reviews
• Supported CPOMS safeguarding case management

Volunteer Teaching Assistant - Cheriton High School - Folkestone

(2014-09 - 2015-03)

• Provided pastoral care and supported positive behaviour management of identified students
• Supported lessons by assisting with group work and differentiation
• Assisted with a range of professional duties and responsibilities

Master's - Education - Cardiff University (2013 - 2013)

PGCE - Secondary Education, specialism in SEMH - Canterbury Christ Church University (2018 - 2018)

BA Hons - History, English and Drama - University of Kent (2015 - 2015)