Sarah-Jane Whyte
London
Summary
Personable skilled mentor, coach, educator and social worker, employing compassion and empathy to provide support to students to promote their health, safety and wellbeing and to model best practice. . Adept at identifying and assessing need and personalising support to remove barriers to learning and grow opportunities. Collaborative, communicator who upholds excellent standards across broader education and care settings.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Inclusion
Nexus International School
01.2024 - Current
- Line and performance manage thirty employees
- Designed and implemented the schools strategic vision in relation to EAL and SEN
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Increased company revenue by streamlining processes, implementing cost-saving measures and designing chargeable EAL and SEN programmes
- .Working with Learner Acquisitions to ensure incumbent students receive the support necessary to be successful
- Working with Agents and communities to ensure parents are thoroughly engaged and upskilled
- Design and deliver parent workshops to promote community engagement
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Wholeschool collaborative approach to learner belonging and welfare
- Learning walks to ensure high quality learning and teaching
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- ELT member
Specialist Mentor
UMO Services LTD
11.2022 - Current
- Working with the Disability Team at Universities of London - I provide personalised mentoring and counselling services for both undergraduates and postgraduates who have Special Educational Needs or have experienced grief or trauma
- Caseload of 20 students
- Access Arrangements, SPD Meetings (fitness to practise), organisation and planning - essay research, development and production; revision techniques and work experience support
- Advice, guidance and counselling regarding courses and electives
- Support with applications for PhD studentships, work experience (this includes interview preparation) and provide advice and guidance on pathways
- Use a mix of motivational interviewing, signs of safety, and brief solution-focussed therapy help them to problem solve and ‘move on'.
- Referrals to external agencies - Community Mental Health Team, Health and Social Care
Independent Contractor/Consultant
Self Employed
01.2018 - 10.2022
- Developed curriculum for English Language Learners (children and adults)
- Staff recruitment and training
- Set-up, recruitment and training for Inclusion Departments in China
- Development of PSHE and boarding programme, facilitated the Student Council, writing policies and procedures for referral for the Inclusion Department (including EAL and G&T)
- Using data analytics to deliver QFT and targetted interventions for English Language Learners and those with SEND
- Lead the Student Council and community engagement
- Advised and counselled Year 9 students in terms of Electives for GCSE.
- Provided advice, guidance and counselling for both students and staff.
- Drafted and submitted status reports to Senior Leadership Team management.
- Delivered staff training in Inclusive Education and Safeguarding
Head of Inclusion
Lammas School and Sixth Form
09.2019 - 06.2020
- ELT member
- Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Responsible for raising the standards of behaviour, student attainment and achievement within the Access to Learning (ATL) department
- Oversight of the departments' day-to-day running; this included budgetary accountability, deployment and performance of staff and was also responsible for the strategic leadership and implementation of the SEND Action
- Organised events and campaigns to raise awareness and celebrate diversity for 'drop-down' PSHE Days
- Worked collaboratively with the Pastoral Leads to promote the health, safety, wellbeing and academic attainment of the students
- Goal setting and action planning
- Keeping and updating records; including SEN Register
- Mentored and trained staff on equality and inclusion issues, tools and practices.
- Provided 1:1 and group counselling
Residential Support Worker (Children)
St Michael's Fellowship
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Followed staff rota systems in supporting parents in caring for their children.
- Extended emotional and practical support to families to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of their children.
- Delivered services within solution-focused therapy approach to affected persons.
- Completed risk assessments to help people identify and manage potential risks.
- Modelled optimal care to families
- Wrote court reports
Referral and Assessment Social Worker
Lambeth Children's Social Care
09.2014 - 03.2016
- Evaluated and addressed individual client needs and concerns through targeted assessments.
- Exercised professional judgement to implement interventions and make tough decisions.
- Produced reports within set timeframes and in line with industry standards.
- Assessed needs and situations by conducting individual and group interviews.
- Navigated potential obstacles impeding service users' access to support and services
- Liaised with other professionals in health and social care to coordinate holistic support.
- Adhered to safeguarding principles to protect service users from risk.
- Crisis management.
- Court Work
- Worked with the Metropolitan Polices 'Sapphire Unit' which investigates 'peer on peer' physical and sexual violence.
- Maintained accurate, up-to-date and confidential files in line with reporting standards.
- Advocated on behalf of service users to protect their best interests.
Head of Health and Social Care
Thomas Tallis School
05.2009 - 07.2011
- Lead IV
- Delivered BTEC Level II and II Health and Social Care
- KS3 - KS5 Teacher: Citizenship, RE and Health and Social Care
- Established and maintained professional relationships to offer objective guidance and support.
- Provided advice, guidance and counselling in Year 9, Year 11 and Year 13 to support students in making informed choices regarding electives, courses and university.
Learning Support Teacher /DHoY 8/9
Deptford Green School
02.2007 - 04.2009
- Managed 'in-house' Inclusive Education for those at risk of permanent exclusion.
- Developed the PSHE curriculum for Years 7-9.
- Responsible for those on the 'Looked After' register.
- Developed IEPs for those on the SEN Register and attended the Annual Review meetings.
- Assisted teachers with classroom activities, facilitating syllabus coverage.
- Monitored progress and wrote reports on pupils receiving learning support.
- Contributed to organising extra-curricular activities to promote social development of learners.
- Kept records of remedial work carried out with students for review purposes.
- Worked with individual students, providing personalised educational, behavioural and emotional support.
- London-Challenge Teacher
- Teacher-training Mentor
- Supported Year teaching team in managing behaviour, academic interventions and delivery of assemblies
- Hosted Coffee Mornings and provided advice, guidance and counselling for Year 9 students at Options Evenings.
Principal Teacher of Health and Social Care
Christ The King Sixth Form College
09.2005 - 02.2007
- Developed programme of BTEC and A-Level Health and Social Care
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Administered assessments to determine each student's specific educational and social needs.
- Curriculum planning.
- Worked collaboratively with other teachers to review data and develop instructional strategies to address student learning objectives.
- Worked with University (London South Bank, Greenwich, Kings, UCL and Cambridge) 'Widening Participation Teams' to provide access to our students by way of Taster Days, Work Experience and Shadowing
- Form Tutor
- Promoted physical, mental and social development by implementing classroom games and outdoor recreational activities.
- Results Day counselling (GCSE and A Level)
Education
PG Certificate in Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCO Award -
UCL Institute of Education
MA - Special and Inclusive Education
UCL Institute of Education
MSc - Social Work
London South Bank University
CELTA -
Lewisham College
PGCE - Applied Health & Social Care
St Mary's University College
MSc - Race & Ethnicity (Sociology
London South Bank University
BSc - Sociology
London South Bank University
Cc - NPQSL
Institute of Education, Univerisity College London
London01-2025
Skills
- Reflexive Practitioner
- Collaborative Worker
- Empathy
- Solution-focused
- Risk-Management
- Active Listener
- Trustworthy
References
Lachlan Ewen McKinnon
DIRECTOR GERNERAL
Emirates National School, UAE
+971 566 441 398
suggest@ctr.ens.sch.ae
Mark Howard
SENIOR MENTAL HEALTH LEAD
University Mentoring Organisation, London
mark.howard@umo.services
+44 (0) 7973 864 680
Phillisa McKenzie
Head of English
Harrow Shenzhen, China
+86 181 2464 7442
pmckenzie@harrowhkcs.shenhen.cn
Carmel Howard
Head of People Management
London Borough of Lambeth
choward3@lambeth.gov.uk
+44 (0) 207 926 3234
Timeline
Director of Inclusion
Nexus International School
01.2024 - Current
Specialist Mentor
UMO Services LTD
11.2022 - Current
Head of Inclusion
Lammas School and Sixth Form
09.2019 - 06.2020
Independent Contractor/Consultant
Self Employed
01.2018 - 10.2022
Residential Support Worker (Children)
St Michael's Fellowship
01.2017 - 01.2018
Referral and Assessment Social Worker
Lambeth Children's Social Care
09.2014 - 03.2016
Head of Health and Social Care
Thomas Tallis School
05.2009 - 07.2011
Learning Support Teacher /DHoY 8/9
Deptford Green School
02.2007 - 04.2009
Principal Teacher of Health and Social Care
Christ The King Sixth Form College
09.2005 - 02.2007
MA - Special and Inclusive Education
UCL Institute of Education
MSc - Social Work
London South Bank University
CELTA -
Lewisham College
PGCE - Applied Health & Social Care
St Mary's University College
MSc - Race & Ethnicity (Sociology
London South Bank University
BSc - Sociology
London South Bank University
PG Certificate in Special Educational Needs Coordination (NASENCO Award -
UCL Institute of Education
Cc - NPQSL
Institute of Education, Univerisity College London