22 October 2024

The team behind Tute: Meet Hollie McFarlane, Assistant Head of T&L

Hear from Hollie McFarlane on the importance of inclusion at Tute Education

At Tute Education, inclusion is more than just a buzzword – it’s a core value that drives everything we do. In this spotlight, we sit down with Hollie McFarlane, our assistant head of teaching and learning – inclusion and SEND, to hear about her passion for ensuring every student has access to meaningful, engaging, and supportive education.

A day in the life of our inclusion lead

What is your role at Tute Education? What might a typical day consist of?

My role is assistant head of teaching and learning and I am in charge of all things Inclusion and SEND. My typical day consists of communicating with teachers, parents and partners about individual students and their specific need. This role is so varied and no two days are ever the same, but that’s why I love it.

Joining Tute

How long have you worked at Tute, and what motivated you to join the team?

I have worked at Tute since July. I have 21 years’ experience of working in secondary schools and was at my previous school for 17 years. I was motivated to join the team after re-evaulating things and wanting to be around more to watch my young daughter grow up. I love that this role gives me the flexibility to do that.

Finding inspiration in inclusion

What inspires you about working in the field of inclusion?

I truly believe that every child has the right to a meaningful, engaging and supportive education. Very often, school data (and ultimately success) is driven by exam results and academic achievements, but it has never been about that for me. Sometimes, just getting through the front door is a huge achievement for some, and I love that I am able to help that happen.

Adapting learning to diverse needs

How do you ensure that Tute’s learning environment adapts to the needs of diverse learners, including those with special educational needs (SEN) or disabilities?

We listen and respond! Every pupil is seen as an individual so that we can ensure they get the best out of their lesson, regardless of ability. We will soon be introducing a One Page Profile so that we can truly adapt and accommodate every single student. We have highly effective communication channels with all our partners so that they can update us about any pupil at any time. Our platform is designed to make the learning process accessible and inclusive for all.

The power of community at Tute

What do you enjoy most about working at Tute?

Working on Inclusion in a mainstream setting can sometimes feel very isolating, and often I felt like I was fighting a daily battle to provide my pupils with the education they deserved. Here at Tute, I have definitely found my people! Together, we are an ARMY and will work together, showing passion and dedication to the futures of all of our young people. It feels so good that the whole team wants the same outcomes for our pupils!

Life beyond Tute: a children’s author and TV contributor

What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?

I love travelling, reading and writing and I am actually a published children’s author. I have a regular slot on Welsh TV, offering support to families with children on various issues, such as starting high school, bullying etc. This feeds in well to my work at Tute as I can research new initiatives and keep my pastoral knowledge up to date. My favourite thing to do though is to spend time with my little girl, who is nearly 6.