After finishing my degree this year, I embarked on my teaching career.    I started working at Millgate - a SEMH (Social, Emotional, Mental Health) boy’s school in Leicester five years ago as a pastoral TA (Teaching Assistant). I supported a Year 7 tutor group, following the students from lesson to lesson and being the important link between home and school. I formed strong relationships with both the students and their families. I loved the role and still see it as an incredibly important role within our setting. The pastoral TA underpins all of the principles that are needed in order to champion our students. It establishes unbreakable relationships with the students built on mutual respect and trust. A child that has been excluded from a mainstream setting or has been unable to engage with education for whatever reason needs someone to champion them, to help them re-engage with education and the various benefits that encompasses. School doesn’t just offer a full, rich, rounded curri