Carol trained as a secondary teacher specialising in History and PSHE and taught these subjects for many years. She worked in a nursery school and as a parent helper in a first school whilst on a career break when her own children were young.
Carol then joined a middle school and became the PSHE and Citizenship co-ordinator for KS2 and 3. During this time, Carol led the Healthy Schools and Healthy Schools Plus programme. She co-ordinated the Rights Respecting Schools programme, helping her school to achieve level 2, alongside supporting other local schools.
Having had first-hand experience of leading a department in teaching Jigsaw PSHE, with staff who loved the structure and philosophy behind it and also teaching the lessons herself, Carol has witnessed the positive effects on pupils. These were well beyond any other scheme of work she had previously used. In her school surveys, PSHE topped the pupils’ list of the subject that they felt was of the most value to them.
When these pupils were interviewed about the reasons for their positive views about Jigsaw PSHE they said they appreciated:
- The relevant, up-to-date, age-appropriate information;
- The fun activities;
- The importance of being able to discuss sensitive issues in a safe environment;
- That ‘Calm Me’ time was vital for now and for their future.
It is, therefore, not surprising that Carol is passionate about Jigsaw PSHE both for pupils and for the staff who teach it.
Carol is a trustee for DEED (Development Education in Dorset and Hampshire) and thinking about names, some consider the names of her pets to be a little odd:
Plumly (dog), Jasmine, Ukemi and Ogoshi (cats), Cee and Saw (rabbits), Badger Boy and Master Sprout (guinea pigs). Carol says they make any visit to the vet amusing!