Danielle Riley

Harmony Class and SEN Support Teacher

I graduated from Huddersfield University in 1996 with a degree in Art & Design. It was during this time that my passion for teaching began, as part of my course involved teaching art at a local primary school. I then went on to complete my PGCE at the University of Liverpool. In 1999, I started my first teaching role in a primary school in Liverpool, working in EYFS. This is when my deep interest in supporting children with SEND really developed. In 2006, I completed a Master's Degree in Special Educational Needs. During my 24 years at that school, I undertook a variety of roles, including EYFS Lead, KS1 and KS2 teacher, Art Coordinator, SENCO, and, towards the end of my time there, Inclusion Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead. I have always sought to bring creativity into all aspects of my work and love seeing how it can spark excitement and engagement in the children I support. 

One of my greatest professional achievements was in 2023, when I helped set up a specialist SEND Provision Base for children with complex and severe needs. Watching the children thrive in this setting and seeing how happy they were in their school was undoubtedly a career highlight. In 2024, my family and I made the decision to move to Dubai, where I took on the role of Deputy SENCO and Inclusion Teacher at an international school. In this role, I supported children of determination and those with EAL. I am now looking forward to working at GEMS Metropole School and supporting the students of Harmony class in their educational journey.