REFERENCE – MIKE BEALE (Head of Holland Moor Primary School) – MARCH 2012
Alison is a dedicated, talented and hard-working professional who has achieved the most remarkable results working in a variety of challenging and demanding roles. Alison has the ability to forge effective and productive relationships with young people who find themselves in very difficult and extremely stressful situations.
Alison works very effectively with families who are struggling to cope with a wide variety of challenges. She gains the confidence of family members and many parents and carers speak with immense gratitude about the stability and hope she has brought to their very difficult lives.
Alison has a thorough and insightful approach to all aspects of her role. She has an impressive knowledge of the additional support available to young people and moves at a rapid pace to achieve positive outcomes for individuals she works with. Alison ensures she is aware of current and diverse approaches to her work and implements programmes that reflect this knowledge. She is not afraid to innovate and has a clear ability to provide imaginative solutions to what might appear to be impossibly difficult problems
The work Alison has delivered in West Lancashire has been welcomed across schools, by other agencies and in many, many families. Whether this has been working, for example, with a young parent, an excluded young person or with an individual who felt rejected by and isolated from school or wider society, the work has always been caringly responsive, lovingly delivered and remarkably effective. (MIKE BEALE)
Personal Recommendation Re: Alison Bamforth. – By Richard Varey – Headteacher St Bedes.
St Bede’s has worked with Alison for the last four years. As well as leading the Behaviour Improvement Project for West Lancashire, Alison has worked directly in school in a number of ways. It is difficult to sum what she has done for our school in one job title or list of responsibilities because Alison will do whatever is needed to move children on in positive ways.
Alison works with those children who are the most difficult to help; youngsters whose needs are not being fully addressed by the normal school procedures and structures. The work that she has done has meant that St Bede’s has had the capacity to deal with children who had previously ‘slipped through the cracks’.
Alison has a true spirit of vocation in this field. She identifies with vulnerable learners but has an uncompromising approach which identifies itself with the whole school aims and ethos. She uses humour and tenacity to improve the life chances of those she works with. I have direct experience of her commitment to these learners; out of hours and way beyond the ‘call of duty’.
Whilst working with Alison, the permanent and fix term exclusion rate at school has been significantly reduced. Many pupils have been able to fully re-integrate into the life of the school. Where this has not been possible, Alison has been able to find substantial placements and projects which have enabled individuals to be engaged in learning whilst not actually in school.
I am disappointed that central funding has come to an end for Alison’s work. However, because of the difference she has made to the life chances of our vulnerable learners, St Bede’s will continue to work with Alison; commissioning her directly. She is a talented colleague and a vital part of our work at St. Bede’s. (Richard Varey)
Open Reference for Alison Bamforth - David Lamb - Headteacher (Elm Tree Primary School)
I have known Ms Bamforth for a number of years within a professional capacity. She has mentored a group of extremely challenging teenagers, which I have witnessed, and been thoroughly impressed with her ability to create a calm, inclusive ethos with some of the county’s most vulnerable, disaffected and angry young people.
Ms Bamforth joined Elm Tree Primary School’s Governing Body over 12 months ago, she is a fantastic asset. Her knowledge of Special Educational Needs, in particular around emotional management, behavioural management and the interventions that link to these issues are second to none.
Ms Bamforth is a true professional, reflective on her own practice, remains person focused, enthusiastic about making a difference and creating new and innovative dimensions that meet the needs of individuals. (David Lamb)
"The thoughts we think and the words we speak create our experiences"
