About me

Tara Bell (BA Hons,PGCE,PGDip,NPQH,MRES)

 

After a BA Hons in Fine Art at Glasgow School of Art, and a PGCE at Oxford University, I became a qualified Teacher of the Deaf, teaching in mainstream and special schools before moving into leadership in special schools and alternative provision. From early in my career I worked with children and young people at risk of exclusion or dis-engagement from school.

 

I am currently both the education officer for children with medical needs and the Headteacher of two Ofsted Outstanding (2018 &2023) hospital schools (mental health and general medical) and extended outreach services for children and young people out of school due to medical and/or mental health conditions including EBSNA (Emotionally based school non- attendance). The dual role has allowed me a unique insight into barriers to education, and an ability to enact solutions for some of the most vulnerable and disengaged children and young people. This has included completing recent Masters in academic research on ‘school-based’ causal factors of students non-attendance and non-engagement with school.

 

As a school leader, consultant in special education and trained mediator, I have worked with a range of organisations in developing curriculums, pedagogy and learning environments to engage and enable all learners. These include whole school wellbeing curriculums and enterprise programmes, real life learning projects ‘Enquiring Minds’ and excellence in SEN teaching (the first gifted and talented strategy applied in special schools). Since 2017 I have initiated and developed new educational provisions for students struggling with their mental health and delivered training to schools and other professional organisations on meeting the needs of students with medical and mental health conditions.

 

Leading education that ensures young people attain academic achievement or secure alternative pathways to success, while nurturing a love of learning and a love of life is a lifetime passion.