Simon Atkinson Bsc. (hons) PGCE QTS Ma NPQSL
Director of Physical Education & Sport
Elizabeth Atkinson
EYFS Practitioner | Childcare Business Owner | AK-tivities COO | Assistant Head of Boarding at Nord Anglia Education
I have over 20 years’ experience in the field of EYFS having worked at all levels within this fantastic industry from nursery / kindergarten teacher to senior leader, Assistant Manger and owner of numerous childcare businesses in the UK.
I also have an extensive experience within the NHS specializing in maternity and special care which has allowed me to develop my understanding of safe practice and learn from so many caring, selfless professionals who shared the same passion as me to make a difference to those who need it most at such and early time in their development.
More recently I have transitioned and applied my skill set in the international school’s market currently holding the position of Teaching Assistant, LSA and Assistant Head Boarding within such Global education brands as Cognita and the Nord Anglia Education Group. These opportunities and roles have given me the chance to again make a difference to children's lives by creating a warm, friendly, and safe environment for children from ages 6 to 18 away from home.
During inspection by the NAE regional office, I and my team were quoted as having established “One of the best boarding houses within the network, you have done an amazing job.”
I am an individual who believes in supporting the holistic development of all children, providing a platform from which they can move forward positively in life with the skills, confidence and understanding to be truly global citizens.
Employment Experience
2024 - Present
St Andrews International School
Teaching Assistant / Learning Support Assistant
I am currently working within the Cognita Education Group as a Teaching Assistant whilst I complete my PGCE qualification specialising in EYFS:
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Supporting the current teaching staff with the creation of informative and eye catching bilingual resources and displays
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Supporting both the educational and behavioral needs of individuals highlighted within the class.
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Supporting in the delivery of lessons as and when required by the teaching staff
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Performing break, lunch time and bus duties as required to support the safe and enjoyable transition of students between lessons
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Completed individual reports and records of students in my care and held regular progress meetings with parents.
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Participated in regular community and charitable events
2020 - 2023
Nord Anglia Education
Assistant Head of Boarding
As one of 4 founding boarding house staff (assistant head of boarding) I am currently responsible to the safety, wellbeing and organisation of more than 90 students. My main duties currently include:
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The organisation of morning routines for both the boys and girls in the boarding house
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Monitoring the safety and behaviour of students outside of regular school times
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Responsible for the organisation of evening activities, events and monitoring personal study sessions for all students.
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Organisation of residential staff including the creating duty rotas and assisting in the creation of the boarding house handbook.
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Responsible for the registration and communication with parents at check in on Sunday evenings.
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Responsible for communicating with teaching and homeroom staff regarding students’ welfare, homework, and behaviour
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Act as a link between school and parents on matters pertaining to welfare.
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Responsible for creating a home away from home for students.
2012 - Present
AK-tivities Ltd.
Owner | Founder | EYFS Co-Ordinator | Child Safeguarding Compliance
Responsible for all EYFS policies, safeguarding and compliance issues in relation to government expectations and certification.
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A Compliance and organisational role which included completion of all DBS/CRB and child safeguarding checks for AK-tivities coaches, instructors and teaching staff.
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The running essential child protection training and ensuring all updates and policy changes are swiftly communicated to staff as and when they happen.
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Monitoring all children’s mental, physical and emotional well-being throughout the duration of our holiday sports camps and communicating any concerns home to parents in a clear and appropriate manner.
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Designing and writing policies and procedures for all safeguarding matters.
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Completion of risk assessment documentation in line with county and regional guidelines.
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Communication with and organisation of compliance with relevant associations and organisation including ICO and local county and regional council departments.
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The monitoring, evaluation, and formal management of staff in relation to compliance and safeguarding practices.
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Monitoring and maintaining the general welfare of all children whilst attending camps.
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Liaising with medical staff in the case of accident or injury of those children attending camps.
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Liaising with senior AK-tivities staff and Directors when required. Designing, execution and improvement of attending children drop off and pickup procedural policy (made increasingly difficult in 2020 considering the global pandemic).
2016-2020
National Health Service (UK)
Band 4 Neonatal Nursery Nurse on a Special Care Baby Unit
Clinical role supporting babies born from 25 weeks gestation develop and grow out of utero. Responsibilities included:
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Carrying out routine observations having knowledge of what is normal for a baby including breathing, colour, heart rate, oxygen levels, blood sugar levels, feeding, fitting and checking nasal gastric tubes.
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Organisation of numerous team member (which required high levels of time management and the ability to multitask)
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Complete detailed journals for each case and handover notes / special care reports to the rotational teams
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Band 2 Maternity Care Assistant
This was a clinical role supporting mothers with their deliveries which required:
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Showing new parents how to care for their new-born baby including breast feeding, how to make up bottles, changing and washing.
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Clinical responsibilities include, assisting with sterile procedures such as suturing, epidural, instrumental deliveries and C-sections.
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Observations on mothers and their baby/babies, Blood Taking and care of catheters.
High levels of organisation, time managements and the ability to multitask are essential in this role in addition to mental arithmetic and literacy in the journaling of handover notes and journal reports.
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2012-2016
Sprogs Childcare
Owner and Operational Manager
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Organisation and completion of all DBS/CRB and child safeguarding checks for Sprogs Childcare Staff.
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Running essential child protection training and ensuring all updates and policy changes are swiftly communicated to staff as and when they happen.
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Monitoring all children’s mental, physical and emotional well-being communicating any concerns home to parents in a clear and appropriate manner.
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Designing and writing policies and procedures for all safeguarding matters. Completion of risk assessment documentation in line with county and regional guidelines.
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Ensuring children’s development journals and reports were completed in a detailed and timely fashion. Increasing business by assisting with promotional events, marketing and advertising streams.
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Construction of marketing and advertising campaigns. Communication with and organisation of compliance with relevant associations and organisation including ICO, Ofsted, and local county and regional council departments.
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The monitoring, evaluation and formal management of staff in relation to compliance and safeguarding practices. Monitoring and maintaining the general welfare of all children, attending to medical needs and emotional requirements as they arose.
2007-2012
Busy Bees Nursery
Senior Nursery Nurse | Room Leader | Assistant Manager
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Managing a team organising shifts, breaks, rotas, and meetings.
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Ensuring paperwork is kept up to date following OFSTED and Government guidelines such as SEF folder, risk assessments policies and procedures.
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Ensure all the staff to child ratios are accurate,
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Carry out daily health and safety checks, reporting any problems to the health and safety team.
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Observe children to support their individual learning needs and development linking to the EYFS and planning their next steps.
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Spot check and inspect staffs planning for each child, they have signed and are up to date with all their training, offer support listening their worries concerns feedback and suggestions.
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Show new perspective parents around the setting telling them about our prices and what we had on offer.
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ID anyone who wishes to enter the setting if someone new is picking up I ensure they know the password and I have been told by the family that they are coming.
2005-2007
Kiddi Caru Day Nursery
Nursery Nurse
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Providing support and care for children physically Emotionally Socially
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Follow the settings policies and procedures
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Arrange and carry out parent’s evenings
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Ensure the daily maintenance is carried out
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Administer medication to children when needed
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Communicate with parents daily about their child.
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Support parents with any concerns or worries they have about their child
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Understand and follow guidelines from OFSTED, Health and Safety, Child Protection and the setting policies and procedures
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Supporting children from separation anxiety from their primary carer
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Assist in children’s development by observing their play linking my observation to the EYFS and setting next steps based around their individual interests
Passionate about helping others discover their passions and potential
Values & Interests
As a professional Early Years Educator and an experienced carer within a hospital setting, I am very passionate about providing the best possible care and experiences to all those I encounter both professionally and personally.
Throughout my career journey I have and continue to take great pride in supporting children in their development and seeing children achieve fantastic things in a happy secure setting which I have played a part.
My core values are that every child matter and as such deserves the very best start in life physically, socially and emotionally.
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I have developed a real passion for outdoor activities and remaining active. I am a keen rower, dancer, scuba diver and fitness enthusiast often using my skills to offer CCA, ECA and ASA activities for students ranging from 3-18 yrs old.