Sarah Ward,
Assistant educational psychologist
I am passionate about helping students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) achieve their true potential through working with education settings, parents and carers.
My experience covers the 0-25 age range, including early years. Working closely with parents and carers allows me to take a holistic approach to the family’s needs as a whole in order to provide a supportive, consistent and responsive service. I have experience designing and delivering interventions in both education and home settings.
Through working abroad and with students who have English as an additional language (EAL), I fully understand how language and culture can influence learning.
Integrating my specialist knowledge and experience enables me to help children and young people to be happy, safe and ready for life’s challenges alongside their families and education settings.
I want to say thank you to Bridie and Sarah W for listening. It was a really informative session and thank you so much for getting the letter and recommendations over to me as quickly as you have done
Katie, Parent
Sarah Ward providing psychology services in school
My education
2013
Cognitive neuroscience and specific educational needs - M.Sc. University of Valencia, Spain
2011
Spanish studies and psychology - B.A. (Hons) Lancaster University
My work history
2016
Assistant educational psychologist HSR Psychology
2014
Special educational needs teaching assistant and learning mentor School-based (mainstream)
2013
Special educational needs teaching assistant School-based (SEND and mainstream)
2009
Private tutor (English, Maths, 11+) Home-based
My experience
I have been working in education throughout my career and I have integrated my psychology knowledge into practice. SEND is one of my passions and I have experience in the following areas:
- Early years, foundation stage (EYFS)
- Looked after status
- Autistic spectrum condition (ASC)
- Attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (ADD/ADHD)
- Social language and communication needs
- Assessments
- Literacy
- Dyslexia
- Numeracy
- Classroom based interventions
- Home based interventions
- Parent support
- Anger management
- 1:1 tuition
- English as an additional language (EAL)
Supporting children, young people, education settings, parents and carers around SEND is very important to me. In my experience I have learnt the importance of an individualised and holistic approach to successful interventions.
My professional memberships
British psychological society (BPS)
Division of educational and child psychology (DECP
Q
&
A
with Sarah
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
I enjoy supporting students in their learning and development. Guiding them towards the belief that they can do it after all makes the learning journey worthwhile. Seeing a student apply a strategy which I taught them is amazing!
What do you look forward to most with your work at HSR Psychology?
With my work at HSR Psychology I am really looking forward to working in different settings and supporting a broad range of individuals. The experiences and opportunities will strengthen me as a psychologist which will make my support more effective.
What fascinates you about children?
How strong, resilient and complex they can be, and also the huge amount of kindness they have for others.
Why is it important to you to help parents and carers?
Helping parents and carers is hugely important to me as there are times when they need the support more than the education setting does. The support provided is also individualised to their unique circumstances. Helping parents to become more confident and happier as a parent is essential for a happy home.