With a degree in social psychology, I spent my first few years after graduation working first in adult psychiatric units, and then in children’s SEN units. Having gained this invaluable experience, I realized that teaching was my passion, and completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
I then spent nearly a decade as a Primary classroom teacher in Brighton, confidently teaching the full range of subjects. During this period, I had special responsibility for Science, Games, Multi-Cultural studies and AVA (ICT), and ran out-of-school clubs for computing, reading “for pleasure”, creative writing, football and badminton. I was comfortable with being flexible and adaptable in my teaching, with the goal of always trying to cater for the pupils’ individual learning styles. I was, and still am, an extremely calm, balanced, patient, empathetic and imaginative teacher, determined to motivate and enthuse the children.
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When an opportunity arose to travel extensively in India and Nepal, I moved on, but always knowing that one day I would return to teaching. On my homecoming, I decided to combine my passion for teaching with my interest in computers, and embarked on a new career, first as an IT trainer, and then as an IT consultant. During this period, I obtained an HNC and became both IBM and Microsoft certified. |
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After nearly 20 years in IT, I felt that the time was right to return to teaching and successfully completed a TDA (Training and Development Agency) funded “Return to Teaching” course, aimed at bringing returning, experienced teachers up to date on current developments in Primary education.
I am registered with the General Teaching Council and have multiple Enhanced CRB clearances. |
I am currently registered as a
- supply teacher in East and West Sussex and Brighton & Hove, teaching years 1 through to 6 (KS1 and KS2), and have taught in about 30 different schools.
Alongside my regular supply teaching, I am registered to provide:
- One-to-One tutoring for schools during school time (I've delivered over 700 sessions to over 60 pupils to date)
- Private Tutoring after school (I've delivered over 600 sessions to date)
- computer assistance for parents and home users. See http://www.barriejames.com.
Combining my teaching and IT experience
- I produce and publish teaching resources for the classroom
