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We’re all different, but there’s something kind of fantastic about that isn’t there?
– Roald Dahl

Who We Are and What We Do?

Many of you know who we are but for those who have not met us yet, we are Sue Payne and Claire Dilworth.  We are both teachers who met each other in 2004 and we have worked together ever since.

Before meeting, we both worked in mainstream schools for 19 years between us teaching children in both KS1 and KS2.  Claire worked in Preston in Lancashire, and I worked in London (on an estate called Somers Town between Euston and Kings Cross) and then I moved to Blackpool and then to Preston.  My role for 5 years was SENCO in a primary school in Lancashire.

Claire and I both specialised in supporting children with social, emotional, mental health and behavioural (SEMH) needs and worked in the Pupil Referral Unit in Preston which later amalgamated with Golden Hill (short stay) School, and we were then based in Leyland.  We have over 40 years of experience between us working with children who are struggling in their mainstream school or who have been excluded from their mainstream school.  In Golden Hill, Claire and I taught classes across the primary age range individually and we also shared classes.  I was deputy head at Golden Hill for most of my 23 years there.  In 2010, we set up the outreach team supporting schools in Lancashire, and we continued to do this until January 2023. 

Working with, helping, and supporting children, families and school staff that have been referred to us is such a rewarding job.  We often get involved with families and schools when everything is at crisis point and we are there to listen, offer advice and hopefully change the situation for the better.  We have met so many amazing people and have memories that we will take with us forever.  It is not always easy but by working together school staff and families can help change a child’s school life for the better.  We both still hear from children we have worked with, and it is so encouraging when we hear about those who have gone on to have successful careers and happy family lives.

Last year, Claire and I set up Reach Behaviour and have continued to work in mainstream schools supporting those children who need it.  We mainly work in Preston and South Ribble supporting the two district inclusion hubs.  The headteachers and school staff have been really supportive of our venture, and we are thoroughly enjoying our work.  Our days have been varied and we have been working in new and exciting ways; we always liaise with the school so we can offer bespoke support to those who are asking for our help.  We do also support schools in other districts which has taken us to new places and areas.  We are also supporting local high schools with the transition of children from year 6 to year 7.

We are looking forward to developing Reach Behaviour during the new academic year.  We blog each week and you can keep up with what we are doing on our website, on Instagram and on X (formerly Twitter).  We welcome your feedback and look forward to hearing your views over the year.