Supporting your child
Every child is individual with their own specific set of likes, dislikes, needs and requirements.
You know your child best and my aim is always to work alongside you to ensure that I can do everything possible to support your child to thrive in sessions. When you book an Outdoor STEM or Practical Science session you'll be asked to complete a registration form that gives you the chance to let me know what works or doesn't work well for your child, alongside any diagnosed or suspected SEND or medical need you wish to mention.
Every new student registering for a Sparking STEM activity is offered an opportunity for a phone call, or email exchange if preferred, with me (Amanda) to talk through the details of what your child loves, what they fear, what triggers them, what makes them happy, and anything else you feel it would be helpful for me to know.
Throughout your child's journey with Sparking STEM I will work with you to adapt and understand your child as best I possibly can. All my sessions are designed to allow children to join in however works best for them as individuals. I use techniques that allow them to choose how they interact without pressure. I never put them on the spot, ask them questions to answer in front of others, pressure them to join in or do anything they're not comfortable with. I offer them ways to contribute verbally or non verbally if they want to, space to ask as many questions as they want or to watch and learn, reassurance and acceptance of their individual learning preferences.
I adapt the learning to the child, not the child to the learning.
My approach is to continually observe, adapt and respond to individuals. Never making assumptions about what any child can or cannot do and giving every child every opportunity to learn. I check understanding continually and quietly, through a range of zero pressure, choice-based techniques and offer individualised support, adaptation and extension as needed.
Some children get stuck in and ask questions, others watch and listen from a distance, some start off watching and become increasingly interactive as their confidence grows. Children engage because they are choosing to, rather than being pressured to.
✅ Certified in "Autism Awareness in Education"
✅ Certified in "Working with children with disabilities and learning difficulties"
✅ Certified in "PDA for Educators" (PDA Society)
✅ Enhanced DBS
✅ Safeguarding certified (Level 3 DSL)
✅ Paediatric first aid qualification (OFQAL certified Level 3)
✅ Over eight years' experience working closely with the home-educating community.
Further information about support in Practical Science sessions
You know your child best and my aim is always to work alongside you to ensure that I can do everything possible to support your child to thrive in sessions. When you book an Outdoor STEM or Practical Science session you'll be asked to complete a registration form that gives you the chance to let me know what works or doesn't work well for your child, alongside any diagnosed or suspected SEND or medical need you wish to mention.
Every new student registering for a Sparking STEM activity is offered an opportunity for a phone call, or email exchange if preferred, with me (Amanda) to talk through the details of what your child loves, what they fear, what triggers them, what makes them happy, and anything else you feel it would be helpful for me to know.
Throughout your child's journey with Sparking STEM I will work with you to adapt and understand your child as best I possibly can. All my sessions are designed to allow children to join in however works best for them as individuals. I use techniques that allow them to choose how they interact without pressure. I never put them on the spot, ask them questions to answer in front of others, pressure them to join in or do anything they're not comfortable with. I offer them ways to contribute verbally or non verbally if they want to, space to ask as many questions as they want or to watch and learn, reassurance and acceptance of their individual learning preferences.
I adapt the learning to the child, not the child to the learning.
My approach is to continually observe, adapt and respond to individuals. Never making assumptions about what any child can or cannot do and giving every child every opportunity to learn. I check understanding continually and quietly, through a range of zero pressure, choice-based techniques and offer individualised support, adaptation and extension as needed.
Some children get stuck in and ask questions, others watch and listen from a distance, some start off watching and become increasingly interactive as their confidence grows. Children engage because they are choosing to, rather than being pressured to.
✅ Certified in "Autism Awareness in Education"
✅ Certified in "Working with children with disabilities and learning difficulties"
✅ Certified in "PDA for Educators" (PDA Society)
✅ Enhanced DBS
✅ Safeguarding certified (Level 3 DSL)
✅ Paediatric first aid qualification (OFQAL certified Level 3)
✅ Over eight years' experience working closely with the home-educating community.
Further information about support in Practical Science sessions
With years of experience teaching children with a range of needs, and as a parent of a child with SEND myself, I understand how important it is to feel confident that an education provider will do everything possible to understand and meet the individual needs of your child.
By keeping groups small I am able to support students to access learning opportunities at their own level and capitalise on their engagement to extend their learning. I take curriculum-linked learning objectives, but teach and extend them in a way that suits individual children's needs, allowing them to express their understanding flexibly and without constraints. This approach has proven particularly helpful to students with ASD, anxiety and PDA and works well for all children, with or without diagnosed or suspected SEND.
I will always work with you to try to find solutions and overcome barriers. Your input and suggestions are valuable and I always endeavour to work closely with parents towards the best possible experience for their child.
Medical needs
All children are welcome and I'll always do everything possible to ensure every child can access every opportunity.
Please ensure that you mention any medical needs (including allergies) when you complete the registration form provided upon booking, including information about any medications they may require, such as inhalers / epipens etc. You may then be sent an additional, medications administration form to complete. The more information you're able to offer the better I'll be able to work with you to ensure your child is able to access every opportunity.
By keeping groups small I am able to support students to access learning opportunities at their own level and capitalise on their engagement to extend their learning. I take curriculum-linked learning objectives, but teach and extend them in a way that suits individual children's needs, allowing them to express their understanding flexibly and without constraints. This approach has proven particularly helpful to students with ASD, anxiety and PDA and works well for all children, with or without diagnosed or suspected SEND.
I will always work with you to try to find solutions and overcome barriers. Your input and suggestions are valuable and I always endeavour to work closely with parents towards the best possible experience for their child.
Medical needs
All children are welcome and I'll always do everything possible to ensure every child can access every opportunity.
Please ensure that you mention any medical needs (including allergies) when you complete the registration form provided upon booking, including information about any medications they may require, such as inhalers / epipens etc. You may then be sent an additional, medications administration form to complete. The more information you're able to offer the better I'll be able to work with you to ensure your child is able to access every opportunity.
Online learning
All the same principles apply to everything we do at Sparking STEM whether your child is joining us in person sessions, or online through our Meet Scientists sessions or Inspire To Learn IGCSE Biology Hub.
Online, you may not be required to register your child but all online sessions are designed to allow children to join in however they feel most comfortable. They will never be pressure, called out, put on the spot or asked direct questions individually or have attention drawn to them. I don't use countdown timers or random name calling. Children can choose to have their cameras on or off, to join by chat, voting, emojis, reactions or simply watch anonymously.
They can choose to enable captions or dictations. Videos in the Inspire To Learn IGCSE Biology Hub include subtitles and key word support resources.
All the same principles apply to everything we do at Sparking STEM whether your child is joining us in person sessions, or online through our Meet Scientists sessions or Inspire To Learn IGCSE Biology Hub.
Online, you may not be required to register your child but all online sessions are designed to allow children to join in however they feel most comfortable. They will never be pressure, called out, put on the spot or asked direct questions individually or have attention drawn to them. I don't use countdown timers or random name calling. Children can choose to have their cameras on or off, to join by chat, voting, emojis, reactions or simply watch anonymously.
They can choose to enable captions or dictations. Videos in the Inspire To Learn IGCSE Biology Hub include subtitles and key word support resources.
