Staff and Contact Details
To contact the SEN Department either telephone the school and ask for Ext 240 or e-mail the SENCo at ctaylor@rmgs.org.uk
Mrs Christine Taylor
Special Educational Needs Coordinator
Teacher of Psychology and Sociology
I joined Rainham Mark in 2000 as a teacher of two A Level subjects; Psychology and Sociology. Before that, I was employed by Mid Kent College teaching, teaching both GCSE and A level. In 2004, I was appointed the position of SENCo and have undertaken comprehensive training in order to carry out my responsibilities in this role. I am currently working hard towards gaining a qualification in Educational Assessment for Access Arrangements. Being SENCo, in addition to my teaching responsibilities, is challenging but I feel privileged to be able to work with such a great team of Learning Support Assistants, support and teaching staff. I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of my job and find helping pupils with learning difficulties, disabilities and additional needs achieve their full potential most rewarding.
Mrs Danielle Stewart
Senior Learning Support Assistant
I have worked at Rainham Mark Grammar School for a little over five years now and very much enjoy being part of a developing Special Educational Needs Department. Before working at RMGS I was employed at Thames View Infant School which is entirely different than RMGS, as I was supporting children at the beginning of their school career and now I find myself at the other end of the scale. I am currently working towards an Open University degree in ICT. It is hard work but very rewarding. This enables me to empathise with students when they have course work and deadlines to meet, as I know what they are going through. I am hopeful that when I achieve this degree I will then begin a career in teaching.
I enjoy every aspect of my job, I find it is very rewarding; every day brings up new challenges and surprises.
Mrs Melanie Kane
Learning Support Assistant
I began working as a Learning Support Assistant at Rainham Mark Grammar School in September 2005. Prior to this I had worked at Northfleet School for Girls for a year, followed by five years at Chapter School for Girls, also as an LSA. I have enjoyed this job in all the schools I have worked in but working at Rainham Mark has been a new and exciting experience. This Special Educational Needs Department is much smaller than in my previous experience but we are a strong and very dedicated team. I feel very privileged and proud to be able to help in providing our students with equal opportunities for achieving their full potential. With generous support from the school, I began studying for an Open University degree in ‘English Language and Literature’ September 2006. I hope to be become a teacher, eventually.
Mrs Tracy Rose
Learning Support Assistant
Before becoming a Learning Support Assistant, I worked in fashion retail. I then became a lunchtime supervisor at my son’s primary school and a volunteer, listening to pupils read and helping in class.
I joined Rainham Mark Grammar School as a volunteer in September 2006 in the Special Educational Needs Department and have was then lucky enough to be given a full time job. I love my job! There are so many reasons for this. Each day is different, bringing new challenges, rewards and sometimes problems but always a smile.
Mrs D Wayte
Learning Support Assistant
After 18 years working in the insurance industry followed by a career break to raise my children, I began to plan for my return to work.
Volunteering at my daughter’s primary school steered me toward my vocation of being a Learning Support Assistant. Recognising that this was something I enjoyed, I embarked on a six month course to attain the Certificate for Literacy and Numeracy Support Assistants (CLANSA) and gained this qualification in March 2003. The next step was to apply for suitable positions. My sights were set on a position in primary education however an opportunity presented itself to work at a Medway secondary school. I commenced my first role as an LSA in September 2003 aiming to gain hands on experience to build upon my qualification.
Two years later I embarked on a further six month period of study for the Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status and gained this in December 2005.
In October 2005 as well as my LSA responsibilities, I was also appointed Assistant Academic Counsellor to a year group which involved supporting the Academic Counsellor (Head of Year) in their duties.
In April 2010 a position became available at RMGS as an LSA and for a variety of reasons, I decided that it was time for a career move and I commenced my new position in June 2010.