Sushma Padhiar, Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator (SENCO) at King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
Sushma started her role as SENCO at King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls in April 2021 and has previously worked as an English Teacher and Pastoral Lead during her 24 year teaching career.
A SENCO ensures all students with learning disabilities are well equipped to obtain the right help and support they need at school. "It is my job to ensure that all barriers are removed to the students making progress and that they achieve their academic goals, personal targets and future dreams", Sushma comments.
Working closely with colleagues and students, Sushma helps others understand some of the difficulties that SEN students may experience within school and how their needs can be met. Making sure students are safe and well and feel comfortable in their environment is a big part of Sushma's role. "It is important to build positive relationships and have good communication with all stakeholders, so that we form a team around a child and ensure they achieve their best and fullest potential".
A typical day for Sushma involves supporting SEN students in the classroom, meeting with individual students and teachers as well as working collaboratively with outside agencies, such as the Autism Team, Pupil School & Support, Speech and Language Therapist, Mental Health professionals, Doctors and the Educational Psychologist. "I also work collaboratively with other SENCOs, which I enjoy thoroughly. We share strategies and implement interventions which help to support SEN students".
Within a typical day, Sushma will also hold group meetings with students, using therapeutic activities to develop skills which are needed for students to become confident learners and articulate young adults. Sushma enjoys using holistic approaches to help manage stress and anxiety, such a mediation, sound and art therapy along with essential breathing exercises.
When asked what Sushma wanted to be when she was younger, she replied "At the age of three, I used to sit my dolls in a row, and take the register! I think it would be safe to say, that I had a vision of being a teacher from a very early age! I love the fact, that I have an opportunity every day, to help other people, and share good practice and connect with people".
