In this episode, Claire talks to Dan Storey, a former American football coach and exiting UK teacher working at a Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) school. Dan starts by talking about his teaching journey in mainstream schools in Manchester. Shortly after, he moved to the USA and become a football coach for young children. After some time, he decided to return to the UK and continued working in mainstream schools on long term supply. Storey comments on how the American schooling culture and ethos is different to the UK but indicates that this experience facilitated him when he came back to teach in the UK.
With 11 years of experience working at an SEMH school, Storey explains what an SEMH school is and describes some of the disorder’s boys experience at his school. Despite the varying learning needs and disorders of pupils in his school, Dan outlines the extensive support offered to ensure pupils learn in a fun, engaging and challenging way. He clarifies that despite working with children of intensive learning difficulties, he teaches from the Statutory Primary National Curriculum.
Due to his experience, many people have reached out to Dan for support on behavioural issues. He began sharing behavioural strategies and tips on social media. He then wrote a blog on Nexus Education where he continued to share his knowledge and advise on how to support children with behavioural issues.
In this podcast, Dan provides a comprehensive account of his experience of working at a SEMH school. He talks about the CPD he attended to gain a further insight on Special Educational Needs and disorders. Moreover, Storey explains how this encouraged and inspired him to undergo further training and obtain a PGCE and Masters in SEN and a Diploma in Education. He reflects upon the procedures and approaches offered in his school to aid children with various disorders. He emphasises the significance of undertaking relevant training to understand and facilitate children with these disorders, in addition to gaining direct experience of working with and/or observing these children.