Sarah-Jane Harrison is our Curriculum Lead for Art, based at In Toto Cambridge. She has been with In Toto Ed since September 2022, and lives in Cambridgeshire with her family and two cats. She studied Art in London while living there for 18 years and loves being creative.
"My degree was in Mixed Media Art, after which I went on to gain a PGCE in Art and Design. I taught at secondary school and a private school before becoming a Senior Lecturer at London Collage of Fashion, where I taught on the Foundation in Art and Design amongst many other courses and subjects too."
Whilst working at London College of Fashion, Sarah-Jane completed a part-time Master's in Fashion Curation, before deciding to change her career and move into Primary education.
"I moved up to Cambridgeshire with my partner, where I started my journey working with young people with SEN. I furthered this experience working at Gretton School and was able to build strategies that helped the young people there, across various spectrum conditions, grow and flourish."
This experience led Sarah-Jane to seek new challenges and grow professionally, seeking opportunities to work with young adults with SEMH, which is what led her to In Toto Ed.
Her favourite part of being part of the In Toto Ed team is working outside of the box and creating a tailored offering to suit each student’s individual needs and drive.
"I love working with young people individually or in small groups. I am keen to inspire and challenge creatively to help students achieve a qualification or to just enjoy art in whichever way they wish."
On what makes In Toto Ed unique, Sarah-Jane says,
"We cater for young people with SEMH, with the goal setting them up with the qualifications that will help them succeed in life, and feel confident in being able to get a job or to live independently. I feel privileged to be part of something so special that is growing every day I look forward to experiencing this journey with a fantastic, friendly staff team and a group of amazing young people. No matter how small the provision – if everyone works as a team, then big things can be achieved!
We asked Sarah-Jane what advice she would give her 16-year-old self if she could.
"Be yourself, love yourself, and spend less time worrying what others think of you. Chase your dreams and work as hard as you can to achieve them... after all, if you snooze you lose! Have fun and surround yourself with a small group of friends and family, who you know really care about you – for they will carry you through every difficult situation. Try not to regret things you have done, but learn from them instead, and use your past to better your future. Experience as much as you can, because everything you do will make you richer. One last thing... forgive those that have crossed you and always strive for what you want – because if you wish for it enough, it will happen!"
First and foremost, Sarah-Jane is a Mummy.
"This takes up a lot of my time – I would never have guessed how much! I volunteer at Forest School every Friday and love spending time in the woods, making fires and nature bathing in hammocks. I love camping with my family, especially by the sea; stripping away all of the material things and going back to basics... six days is my limit, mind!
I also paint, upcycle, take loads of pictures and cook yummy food – my favourite is food is Asian; spices make me happy. I am also undertaking a Photography course; studying something that I am passionate about is so fulfilling."
We’re very proud to have Sarah-Jane on our team, inspiring our students and unlocking their creativity. We’ll finish with her favourite quote;
"Shoot for the moon, because even if you miss you will land amongst the stars!"
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