Andy Yates

Since completing an undergraduate degree in psychology at Plymouth University, Andy initially spent three years working as a Residential Social Worker. During this time he worked in a variety of settings working with adults with mental health issues and severe learning difficulties to teenagers with Autism. He supported a wide range of individual needs across a 24 hour curriculum, focusing largely on developing and implementing independence skills programmes.

In 2001 Andy graduated from Bath Spa University with a PGCE and spent four years teaching in mainstream primary schools. As a KS1 teacher Andy gained valuable experience of implementing, assessing and reviewing the national curriculum strategies and targets, alongside developing classroom management skills.

From 2005 Andy specialised in working in Special Educational Needs schools. Since then has worked with children across all key stages with a wide array of complex needs, including PMLD, MLD, Emotional Behavioural Difficulties, and Autism. During his time working at a setting for pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties Andy became very experienced with managing challenging behaviours and has a particular interest in developing individual and classroom management techniques. Andy has undertaken further training in the implementation of Team Teach, SCIPP, and TCI crisis management techniques.

Whilst working within Autism specific schools, Andy has used PECS as an integral part of teaching functional communication skills. Andy joined Pyramid in 2013 and is especially interested in promoting effective teaching practises whilst working with challenging behaviour, employing PECS as a means of developing communication skills.