I truly believe my few months at Skippers have been the most enjoyable of my working life to date. I immediately recognized the school’s remarkable warmth on my first visit and I am pleased to say that my first impressions were not wrong. Skippers is a special place, with wonderful children and a friendly, collaborative and knowledgeable team of staff – all in an incredible setting. I have been made most welcome and feel very privileged to be a member of its family.
Having joined Skippers last September, I now have had the opportunity to reflect on my first two terms working here as a Teaching Assistant.
By way of background, I graduated from Durham University with a degree in Modern Languages, initially working in London and New York as Lloyd’s Insurance Broker before having a family. Whilst my own children were at Prep school, I found devising effective strategies to assist their learning so rewarding that I decided to make a second career out of it! I have a particular interest in increasing confidence and resilience in Maths and have worked previously with both Mr Makhouli and Mr Quirk at Holmewood House School. I live in Speldhurst with my family and our miniature schnauzer.
For those of you who have yet to meet me, I work mainly across Years 5 to 8, providing in-class support in Maths and English as well as running small group and 1:1 interventions when individual and additional support is required. I love my role: I have the unique position in the classroom of assisting the class teacher (a second pair of eyes and ears!), enabling increased differentiation and support across all abilities. Seeing how such support can benefit pupils – raising their aspirations and enabling them to become resilient learners – makes my job very special.
Elisabeth Lineker
Categories: School Blog Staff Blog Year 5 - 8
