Who's behind ATTIC?
A collaboration between primary school staff and the University of Southampton - bringing evidence and experience together.
Jo Tearle
Deputy Head Teacher
Shirley Junior School, Southampton
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I have 12 years' teaching experience and 7 years' leadership experience.
I wanted to be involved in this project as I think there is a need for much more information for teachers of children with ADHD. I hope the resource will provide insights to help classrooms become more inclusive, and help education professionals better understand neurodivergent brains (including learning the best ways to harness their strengths and minimise their challenges).
Julie Greer
Head Teacher
Cherbourg Primary School, Eastleigh
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I have been lucky to have spent nearly thirty years as a Headteacher and my career has often been defined by the child who required me to turn upside down and look at their needs from a different perspective.
I would still say that 'inclusion' runs through me, like a stick of rock and from my work locally and nationally I know that it is often children's social, emotional and mental health needs that can have the biggest negative impact on educators in schools. Finding ways to support staff to recognise and respond to need and not react to behaviour makes such a difference for pupils with ADHD, enabling them to feel valued and able to learn. I hope the resources on this website will add to a school's toolkit.
Aimee Reilly
SENCO/ Class Teacher
Shirley Infant School, Southampton
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I have been teaching for 8 years and a SENCO for 5 years.
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I got involved to develop my own understanding of how to be more supportive and inclusive. I hope this project allows other professionals to feel more confident in an inclusive classroom and how an inclusive classroom is beneficial to each child in it.
Catrin Sullivan
Inclusion Lead
Cherbourg Primary School, Eastleigh
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I have been a teacher for 28 years, working in a variety of schools. Over the last 20 years my leadership roles have involved me working closely with the school SENCOs and supporting staff with inclusion.
Becky Ward
Researcher
The University of Southampton
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I have supported children with ADHD for over 10 years and been conducting research projects in ADHD since 2016.
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I previously worked as a youth worker and an alternative education teacher. Working with young people with ADHD, and hearing the challenges they faced throughout their education, inspired me to work with education professionals to find ways of resourcing school staff to support children with ADHD.
Michelle Freeland
Behaviour Manager
Cherbourg Primary School, Eastleigh
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I have 15 years’ experience in education and have supported many young people with ADHD.
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Meeting SEMH needs is a very important part of the work we do at Cherbourg and I wanted to be part of developing a resource that would make a difference to more children with ADHD.
Anna Powell
SENCO
Valentine Primary School, Southampton
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I have been teaching since 1997 when I qualified. I spent time working as an EY advisor, and Specialist SEN teacher before becoming a SENCO in 2019.
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I became involved in the project as we have a significant number of pupils in our school who have an ADHD diagnosis, and I felt it would be good to share our successes and also to learn from colleagues to ensure we explore all opportunities to enable our pupils to achieve their highest potential. This resource bank is an exciting tool for all of us to explore and learn more about our young people in a positive way.
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Kim Abbott
SENCO
Bitterne Manor Primary School, Southampton
I have 5 years' teaching experience (both key stages 1 and 2), 11 years as a SENCO in 3 different schools.
ADHD is becoming more widely diagnosed and therefore every teacher needs to be equipped with the knowledge and strategies to ensure that pupils in their class with ADHD are recognised and supported so they can reach their full potential. I wanted to be involved in a project that would provide practical advice and resources for teachers that can be used within the mainstream classroom on an everyday basis.
Jess Rice
Class Teacher/ SENCO
Sholing Infant School, Southampton
I have been teaching for 5 years and have been SENCo for 3 years.
I wanted to be involved with this project as I felt that it would be so beneficial for our school and all schools, as ADHD can present so differently in each child. I wanted to help develop resources that would support staff to meet the needs of children with ADHD to reach their full potential in school, as well as allowing them to feel fully included in school life.
