A Conversation With... Mrs Judit Coulehan

In this week's 'Conversation With...' feature, we caught up with Mrs Judit Coulehan, the Director of Learning Development here at Shiplake College. Mrs Coulehan is a returning member of staff having previously worked at the College between 2015 and 2019. Rejoining us in September 2022, we find out more about what inspired her to pursue a career in education, as well her thoughts on SEN awareness. 

What is your role and how long have you been at Shiplake?

I am a returning member of staff here at Shiplake College having previously worked here between 2015 and 2019. In that period, I was a specialist teacher, part of the Learning Development Department. In September 2022, I returned as Director of LDev. I have definitely missed the Shiplake community and am really happy to be back! 

What were you doing before Shiplake?

Before returning back to Shiplake, I was Head of Learning Support at Davenies School. I did a lot of teaching as a specialist dyslexia teacher. I would often teach 1:1 or in small groups. Outside the classroom, I would lead in the early identification of dyslexia and produce follow-up interventions along with my team of four.

What is a day in the life at Shiplake like for Mrs Coulehan?

I like to get here early, around 7.30am so that I can have 30-60 minutes before everyone comes in – it gives me some time to have a not so rushed start to the day! I don’t often teach that much as most of the time, I am liaising with staff on how best to support pupils in class, meeting with parents, and also meeting with external SEN professionals in order to provide specialist interventions or guidance. These can include meeting with occupational therapists, speech therapists, and education psychologists.   

I also liaise with SENCOs from other schools as part of the transition process. This includes ensuring that any pre-set arrangements for joining pupils will roll forward. Often, this includes chasing up a lot of paperwork – there is a lot of admin involved in SEN and I make sure that our records are kept up to date and that staff are aware of any changes. 

Outside of the classroom, I am a tutor in Burr for a group of Year 10 pupils. I also run a girls’ fitness session on Wednesdays, and badminton on Fridays.  

What inspired you to pursue a career in education?

Believe it or not, when I was younger, I actually did not want to go into teaching! Originally, I wanted to be a pathologist and pursue a career in medicine. However, I soon discovered my passion for modern foreign languages, particularly English. I studied English as a Foreign Language before going on to obtain a teaching degree in the UK on a scholarship. I then worked as an EFL teacher, living and working in Australia and New Zealand until 2008.

How has SEN awareness changed over the last 10 years?

I definitely think that there is more awareness of the different types of SEN and it’s good to see that teachers have a better understanding of them, especially with dyslexia. Additionally, people’s understanding of ADHD is improving and there are now a lot more courses that are readily available to further your understanding. There is also less stigma around the condition and the use of medication to reduce the effects of ADHD. 

I think that ASD/ASC is less understood. However, it is far more complex and manifests in different levels and forms. For example, in girls, it is often masked and not so easy to spot until much later on.  

In the last couple of years, I have started to expand into dyscalculia. I recently completed a course and am now a qualified specialist dyscalculia teacher with a mission to raise more awareness of the condition. It is just as common as dyslexia but not as well known. There are also very few people who are qualified to teach, and even fewer who can assess and diagnose. Recently though, I have joined a group called The Dyscalculia Network which helps parents and teachers find support for those struggling with all aspects of numeracy. 

You've worked in the legal sector in the past, how did you find that experience? What made you decide to switch to education?

When travelling around, I did a bit of tutoring but when I returned to the UK, I started to get involved with interpreting and translation. Predominantly interpreting, I was a freelancer and worked with the police and the courts. I obtained a qualification from London Metropolitan University in English-Hungarian interpreting and did this between 2010 and 2013. I still enjoy doing it in my free time, which is often in the holidays. Before starting at Shiplake in September, I did some interpreting work at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.  

I enjoyed it, for similar reasons to teaching, as I get to help others. I like helping people, particularly helping the vulnerable and making a difference. And, as it involves using different languages, it makes the role more enjoyable – I always feel like a different person when using different languages.

What do you do away from work?

With my passion for languages, I like to listen to audiobooks in different languages particularly Spanish. I also enjoy doing spinning at a local fitness centre - for me, it's the best workout as it helps with cardiovascular and muscular development. I have two boys, who are in Years 11 and 13 and so they are really starting to grow up and come into their own. My eldest is applying for universities now and my husband is currently teaching him to drive! At weekends, I try to spend as much time as I can with them.

What does the future hold for Mrs Coulehan?

Nobody knows what the future holds but I do see myself staying at Shiplake for the foreseeable future. It's a great school, with a close-knit community and a focus on wellbeing. At some point, I would like to volunteer with the National Trust as I love the work they do!