Look out for my new book on Helpful Hints - with photocopiable strategies and reasonable adjustments.
Helpful Hint for SENDCOs: In addition to the one page pupil profiles/pupil passports, create a small 'to support my learning I need:' card - 8 x 8cm max - with up to 6 of the most useful strategies for that pupil. This can be stuck in the planner and gives the pupil a clear voice!
Thesis on School Inspections
Appendices from thesis - discussions with Daniel Muijs & advice sheet for SLT.
"Hélène was absolutely fantastic when visiting my class. She spoke to a level that the children understood and they all came away having learnt different things and able to use some of the religious vocabulary Hélène had used. The hands on elements of her talk engaged the children, especially the Shofar, with all loving that they managed to get a note, speaking about it for the rest of the day. My class had a great morning, a massive thank you to Hélène for coming in to teach us!" Small Haven School. October 2022
"I liked Helene coming in as I learnt lots and got to see some different things. I really liked the shofar, and the apple and honey." MD – aged 8
"Helene was really nice and made it easy for me to understand. She had lots of stories and things to show us. I really liked the shofar and got better at it each time I tried it. " BNH – aged 11
"It was so lovely to see the children so engaged with Helene, as normally they struggle when out of routine. She adapted to the children in the class and accepted their different needs. Although I was the TA in the class, I also learnt a lot about the Jewish religion, with Helene making it accessible to all and allowing time for questions too. A really lovely morning, thank you." Ki – Teaching assistant
"Thank you for everything, not only did you give me confidence to wear my hearing aids with pride, you have been so helpful with the last two modules, so thank you again and I hope we get to have you again in year "
Victoria, May 2022
"I heard you on the Teachers' podcast. Your insights on living with dyslexia were really useful both professionally and personally." Stella Gentle. January 2021
"I urge everyone to find their own ‘Helene’, someone to encourage, support
and make you feel just like everyone else." Charlotte Golding, Jan 2019
Thesis on School Inspections
Here to help you, whether you require training, consultancy, research or an experienced sounding board. The mix & match package means that I am with you for the journey, working specifically to support your needs and vision.
To know more, please contact me using the details below or the contact sheet.
My services support the whole school community - Parents, teachers, pupils and staff.
With experience in the classroom, the staff-room, the office and the home, I am uniquely qualified to advise, encourage and nurture.
I have experience and qualifications relating to a range of settings, including more than 10 years working as a SENCO, informing school policy and classroom practice.
About Dr Hélène Cohen
Dr Hélène Cohen is a professional, dedicated and enthusiastic teacher and leader within education. Nearly 40 years of teaching experience across all age ranges, from nursery to post graduate, has included being a SENCO, a Senior Leader and working in a range of settings: state mainstream, MLD, dyslexia provision, independent sector. Hélène has been providing INSETs for over 30 years, with a focus on SEND, but also covering areas including leadership, thinking and learning skills, formative assessment, and a range of aspects of communication skills essential within teaching. Hélène is currently a tutor for the NASENCO and iSENCO Masters awards and a range of Level 7 Senior Leader apprenticeships with a SEND and advanced SEND focus, as well as being a sessional lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church university.
A genuine passion for helping people learn, whatever their barriers may be, has helped Hélène to develop a range of strategies that support everyone in the classroom, pupils and teachers alike.
Hélène’s doctoral thesis examines teachers’ emotional responses to Ofsted and ISI inspection, exploring how different leadership approaches could minimise any stress caused. This builds on research papers that she has written about inspection frameworks and includes a new model for effective leadership. Previous Masters research focused on leadership and management for learning.
Hélène’s chapter included in "Selective Mutism, in our own words" by Carl Sutton & Cheryl Forrester, details how she supported a girl with Selective Mutism over a number of years. Hélène also produced the internationally used IWB materials for the Sounds-Write phonics programme
Outside of education, Hélène is a 2nd Dan Black Belt in TaeKwon-Do, and enjoys teaching this to people of all ages at MWTA.
Hélène holds a portable enhanced DBS.
With years of experience and innovation, teaching and researching in the state and independent sectors, from pre-school to Higher Education, I have unlocked the potential in children, teachers and families alike.
"Thank you for a lovely session, it was really helpful and the bookmarks are now placed firmly in our daily packs."
"Making the Group Leaders think about the options they have in a tricky behaviour situation was great, thank you for putting in the camp specific examples."
Holidaycamps @ SLC
