Meet HKILA Founder Justine Barlow

A Profile of Justine Barlow BSc Head of Academy

I began my journey into the education profession at a small primary school in the North West of England.  My original plan was to spend a month volunteering in Key Stage 1 to support my undergraduate studies, but after only a few days I knew that education was where I wanted to be and I have never looked back.  Since then I have been fortunate enough to have gained a wealth of experience of teaching and supporting children’s learning both in the UK and internationally, at primary and secondary level, working both in and out of school settings.

Alongside my classroom experience my studies have equipped me with an extensive and up to date knowledge of the psychological theory behind current educational practice. Specializing in The Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL), Learning Styles, Multiple Intelligences, Philosophy for Children and TASC (Thinking Actively in a Social Context), I have developed and delivered a number of successful training workshops for both teachers and teaching assistants designed to foster optimal learning for all children.

A qualified counselor of children and young adolescents, I am a passionate advocate for an inclusive approach to their academic and emotional development, particularly with regards to how both the learning environment and teaching approaches can be adapted to best suit the needs and requirements of all students, regardless of age and ability.  I firmly believe that children should be given the time and space they need to develop and learn in their own time and in their own way. 

Experience has taught me that ‘one size does not fit all’.  With this in mind my aim at HKILA is to tailor individual educational programmes to suit the needs of each individual child, rather than tailoring the child to suit the programme.