Our Student and Family Support Officer/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead Mrs G Simpson reflects on her role and time at Burford School as part of our new 'My Burford' series.
This feature series aims to shine a spotlight on the superb staff team at Burford who make it possible for us to offer 'the best of education' to our students.
I have worked at Burford school for seven years, beginning my career as the receptionist and progressing through various roles, including Pastoral Support Assistant, Deputy Head of Year 7, Senior Pastoral Lead, and currently as the Student and Family Support Officer. In addition to these roles, I have also been a Deputy Safeguarding Lead for the past four years.
My role as Student and Family Support Officer started just a few months ago, with a focus on helping students navigate difficulties both in and outside of school and providing families with essential resources and support. Communication between home and school is vital, and I am here to make it that bit easier. As my new role develops, I will be spending more of my time out in the community, whether that be in the local primary school or community centre, building those important relationships with families and being an ongoing source of support.
Supporting students and families is a very rewarding role, I love to make a difference, no matter how small, in someone’s day, and no two days are ever the same.
Burford School is a special place for me because it has given me many opportunities to develop my skills and experience, in a supportive and encouraging environment. I feel fortunate to work with a very special team, who not only go above and beyond for the students, but also for each other.
I always look forward to Christmas at Burford. I love the Christmas Carol service for each year group, the Year 7’s in particular have a great time and it’s lovely to see everyone getting involved. Christmas is also another opportunity to help our families. I started the Giving Tree initiative last year as a way of creating food hampers for families in our school community, building on it again this year it’s set to be bigger and better and something I hope we can continue building on for years to come.
Outside of work you will generally find me in my garden. Over the last few years, I have found a real love for gardening and have found it to be hugely beneficial for both my physical and mental health. It also gives me something to do whilst my boys are watching the football!