Clair Swinton

I have worked in special education for 14 years and have taught pupils in EYFS right up to KS3. I have a degree in Early childhood and Education studies which I followed with a PGCE. Most recently I completed my Masters Award in Education where my assignments focused on SEN provision. My final dissertation allowed me to do extensive research about reading and writing for pupils with Down Syndrome and how best to support them. I am currently completing the National SENDCO award. I have a passion for teaching and learning and aim for this to reflect in my practice in supporting inclusion for all pupils in all settings.

Becky Houltby

I’m Becky and I have worked at St Francis School for 30 years and I have loved every moment of it. I initially trained as a TA completing City and Guilds and NVQ qualifications. I have also completed a foundation degree at Bishop Grotesque University in Learning Support. Over the years I have been mainly involved  in working with the younger pupils in school and I am really passionate about ensuring we give them all the best chances they can have to communicate and learn. I am a research driven practitioner and have completed lots of courses in relation to AAC, AT and working with pupils with complex needs. Working for PD Outreach one day a week allows me to bring my knowledge and passion to support pupils in mainstream settings. 

Mandi Baptist

I’m Mandi, I’ve worked at St Francis for 17 years now and fifteen of those years in PD Outreach. I love the variety of my role and especially the inspiring children that I meet. Over this time, I had made the most of the opportunities to gain many qualifications in children’s development, assistive technology and moving and handling. My background is that I trained as a nurse in adult nursing, mental health and went on to teach nurses. During my nursing career I worked on children’s, adult surgical/medical, theatre, mental health admissions wards. As a clinical tutor I taught mainly about pressure area care. I am a parent of a feisty young woman with a physical disability. This gives, me the unique position of “seeing things from both sides”, I hope that parents can talk to me about any of the problems that they face. I provide training in moving and handling, personal care and disability awareness. I can teach bespoke courses relating to a specific physical disability. My aim is to allow children and young people to take part in any activity by reducing the risk to as low as possible. “Where they is a will there is a way”.

Helen Healey

My name is Helen, and I am the latest recruit to the Outreach Team. I studied at Bishop Grosseteste University. I have a degree in Early Childhood and Education Studies and a PGCE in primary education. I started teaching in a mainstream school and then moved over to special educational needs schools. Alongside the Outreach role I lead a Nurture room (part time) within a mainstream setting. I am currently studying part time for a Masters in ‘Language and Communication Impairment in Children’ at the University of Sheffield. Throughout my years of teaching, I have seen how good communication enables children to succeed both academically and personally. It is important to support those children who find language and communication a challenge, enabling them to gain a voice