Rachel Downer

Compassionate individual with over 10 years experience supporting learners within educational settings. Proven track record in facilitating small group interventions that enhance student skills in literacy and numeracy. Successfully built relationships with students, parents and educators to promote a positive learning environment.

Training includes certifications in safeguarding, understanding autism, behaviour that challenges and supporting children and young people's mental health which sit alongside NVQ Level 3 in Supporting Teaching and Learning. Enhanced DBS.

Tutor/LSA - Powertutors

(2025-04)

Working with students who are currently not at School to provide support with educational needs.

Administrative Office for Attendance - Bohunt School

(2024-03 - 2025-12)

Cultivated strong relationships with parents, students, teachers and senior leaders to promote and celebrate attendance. Handled sensitive situations concerning individual needs. Improved administrative systems for efficiency. Maintained databases, generated reports and communicated attendance updates to the school community. Collaborated with other schools to share best practices.

• Fostered partnerships with families and staff to enhance attendance awareness.
• Streamlined admin processes, improving efficiency and accuracy.
• Developed and distributed attendance related communications to stakeholders.
• Coordinated with external schools for collaborative initiatives.

Learning Support Assistant - Liphook Junior School

(2017-01 - 2024-03)

Support class of 30 children across educational needs through whole class, 1:1 and small group assistance. Facilitate small group interventions in Maths, English, Spelling and Memory to enhance skills and confidence. Organise tasks and resources for effective learning.

Lead Schools Eco

Team promoting environmental awareness and initiatives. Utilise the Insight database for tracking progress and Excel for logging merits. Create resources using Word and search online databases for intervention materials. Serve as a trusted contact for discussing concerns, ensuring appropriate safeguarding practices are followed.

• Facilitate targeted interventions, boosting students' confidence and performance.
• Led Eco initiatives, enhancing students' environmental awareness and responsibility.
• Developed tailored educational resources to support diverse learning needs.
• Maintained accurate records of student progress and achievements.

Teaching Assistant - Northchapel Primary School

(2010-01 - 2012-07)

Supported Year 3 and 4 teachers, enhancing students' learning in literacy and maths. Conducted one to one sessions for students facing challenges. Assisted with classroom management and instructional activities. Collaborated with educators to develop effective teaching strategies.

• Facilitated targeted literacy and maths interventions for struggling students.
• Engaged in curriculum planning and classroom organisation.
• Contributed to a positive learning environment and student well being.

Teaching Assistant - Multiple schools

(2009-06 - 2009-12)

Assisted teachers in the classroom from Year R to Year 6 across multiple schools. Supported individual students with specific learning needs and contributed to group activities in numeracy, literacy, science and art. Prepared learning materials and facilitated engaging displays. Supervised swimming and PE sessions, ensuring pupil welfare during activities.

• Enhanced learning experiences through individual support and group facilitation.
• Developed educational displays and prepared materials to aid classroom activities.
• Provided general supervision during breaks and physical education sessions.

Recruitment Consultant for Temporary Division - Spring Personnel

(2001-09 - 2009-06)

Oversee temporary workforce division, aligning clients and candidate expectations. Drive new business tenders, manage payroll and process holiday requests. Produce reports and attend client meetings to meet targets. Cultivate strong relationships through active listening and effective communication. Advise candidates on career aspirations and support them in job searches, addressing sensitive issues with empathy and encouragement.

• Drove business growth through strategic tenders and client engagement.
• Administrated payroll and processed holiday requests efficiently.
• Produced insightful reports for stakeholders to inform decisions.
• Supported candidates facing personal challenges with compassionate guidance.

Field Sales Representative - Surrey Advertiser

(2000-11 - 2001-09)

Promote and maximise sales of local newspapers in designated outlets. Build key customer relationships and visit sites regularly. Ensure high quality displays and execute in store promotions. Address complaints and queries regarding stock. Maintain updated sales information in the database.

• Cultivated strong customer relationships to drive sales growth.
• Executed successful in store promotions, enhancing product visibility.
• Resolved customer complaints, ensuring satisfaction and loyalty.
• Updated sales database, maintaining accurate client account information.

Team Leader and Training Support Assistant - Black Horse Financial Services/Lloyds TSB (Training Centre)

(1995-11 - 2000-10)

Assist trainers with course logistics and delegate bookings. Prepare and distribute joining instructions and training materials. Manage inventory and order supplies as needed. Coordinate with venues and hotels for course and accommodation bookings.

Courier materials to venues and set up training rooms. Create training documents, including spreadsheets and presentations, while maintaining the company training database. Upon promotion lead a team of 2 admin assistants in supporting Financial Planning Consultants.

Prepare and organise tests for training courses, manage stock orders and coordinate exam couriering nationwide. Mark exams to meet deadlines and address special test requests. Contributed to a successful merger project, ensuring workforce testing met tight deadlines through effective planning and meeting facilitators.

Oversaw admin assistants' performance, delegated tasks and provided ongoing support through regular meetings.

• Supported trainers by managing delegate bookings and course logistics.
• Prepared joining instructions and training materials for seamless attendee experience.
• Coordinated venue and hotel arrangements for effective training sessions.
• Maintained an accurate training database to track staff participation.
• Streamlined test preparation process, enhancing training efficiency.
• Achieved timely completion of workforce assessments during merger.
• Organised logistics for nationwide training venues.
• Fostered team performance through regular feedback sessions.

Subscriptions Administrator - Surrey Advertiser

(1991-11 - 1995-11)

Maintained customer database for local paper subscriptions. Address customer queries related to accounts, deliveries and complaints. Process invoices and payments via phone and in person. Generate company cheques and handle mail dispatch.

• Streamlined customer service processes, enhancing response times.
• Improved complaint resolution rates by implementing a new tracking system.
• Increased payment efficiency, reducing overdue accounts.
• Maintained accurate records to ensure compliance with financial protocols.

Safeguarding Children Level 2 (2026-04)

TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism (RQF) - Understanding Autism - TQUK (2023)

TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Behaviour that Challenges in Children (RQF) - Behaviour that Challenges in Children - TQUK (2022)

NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health - Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health - NCFE CACHE (2021)

NVQ Level 3 Supporting Teaching & Learning in School - Supporting Teaching and Learning (2010)

AS Level - English, Psychology and Art

Certificate of Prevocational Education

GCSE - English Language (B), English Literature (C), Sociology (C), Maths (D), Geography (D), Biology (D), Information Technology (D), Business Studies (D), Art (D), R

(G130) Discover Sensory Processing & Integration online course - Sensory Processing & Integration - TQUK (2026-02)