Introducing WKAPSS Founder and Chair
 

Hello, my name is Claudia Goodman.

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Most of my career has been spent teaching in the field of special educational needs,  as a SENCO and with the Specialist Teaching & Learning Service. I have worked in both mainstream state and independent schools in both primary and secondary sectors as well as in a variety of special schools.

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I am a qualified dyslexia teacher and have also worked 1:1 in schools with autistic children, those with speech and language difficulties and children needing social and emotional support. I have also taught excluded children in their own homes.

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My first job was at one of the largest special schools in the country in Walthamstow where I was mainly involved in observing and assessing pre-school children. The training and experiences gained here and later as a Home Liaison Teacher were invaluable. The focus was on early intervention by visiting families at home, supporting parents to help their children thrive, learn and develop, socially and emotionally, through play.

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Qualified as a dance teacher, an evening job in adult education, eventually led to running the dance and sports department at the Camden Institute, North London. Here, I also enjoyed teaching creative movement and improvisation to groups of young people and adults with a variety of additional needs.

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Recently retired, I’m married with three sons. My middle son, Matthew, now 37 years old is autistic with a language disorder and a learning disability. He was diagnosed at Guy's Hospital aged 3.