Lucy Porro
Gibraltar
Summary
Empathetic Counsellor in Person Centred and Existential Therapy with an integrative approach. Life experience and a thirty-five year teaching career have provided a strong foundation for understanding others and providing emotional support. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, active listening and warmth, help to build rapport and trust with clients. Committed to giving back to the community and facilitating self-awareness and personal growth.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work history
Senior Teacher Academic
Westside School, Department of Education
Gibraltar
07.2022 - 09.2023
- Responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of all internal examination series.
- Aided the Deputy Head Academic with the External examinations series.
- Coordinated Access arrangments for students.
- Liaised with Exams officer and invigilators.
- Together with the Deputy Head Academic, carried out whole school curriculum planning and administration.
- Planned and coordinated the Year 9 and 11 Options programme.
- Delivered assemblies on exams, options and curriculum to both students and parents/carers.
- Part of the Exams team dealing with issuing of GCSE and A level results.
- Dealt with A level entry requirement queries from students and parents/carers.
- Worked with other secondary institutions and the Department of Education on Consortium curriculum provision.
- UCAS referee.
- Planned and coordinated the whole school Reporting cycle and responsible for the issuing of reports to parents/carers.
- Coordinated the school's Parent/Carer evenings.
- Chaired the Academic Forum meetings with Subject Leaders.
- Liaised with Subject leaders on all academic matters.
- Meetings with parents/carers on academic issues.
- Served as mentor to junior teachers, promoting continuous professional growth.
- Adminstration of the school Cover programme, providing Cover for absent colleagues.
- Assisted in school duties when required by head teacher.
Science Teacher
Westside School, Department of Education
Gibraltar
09.1988 - 09.2023
- Prepared engaging lesson plans for effective teaching.
- Contributed to the development and upkeep of Schemes of Learning.
- Designed comprehensive, engaging resources in line with programmes of learning, building scientific understanding and confidence.
- Wrote suitable assessments and delivered helpful feedback to students.
- Collected, analysed and tracked data on student progress.
- Developed differentiated teaching strategies and resources to cater for varying student needs and abilities.
- Planned interactive experiments and activities to generate interest and enthusiam in Science.
- Promoted a positive learning environment with clear behaviour expectations and implemented behaviour managment.
- Encouraged student participation by creating a lively and interactive teaching atmosphere.
- Made classrooms safe environments for students to comfortably ask questions and voice concerns.
- Assisted weaker students after school hours, offering personalised support for better understanding of topics covered in class.
- Followed health and safety procedures to keep students safe.
- Supported department development plans to meet new national curriculum requirements.
- Participated actively in departmental meetings, contributing ideas for curriculum improvements and sharing best practices with colleagues.
- Established strong relationships with parents during parent-teacher meetings, promoting an open line of communication regarding student progress.
- Maintained updated curriculum knowledge for expert student guidance.
Senior teacher Pastoral
Westside School, Department of Education
Gibraltar
01.2018 - 06.2022
- Developed the PSHE/RSE curriculum for Years 7 - 11 and planned resources for delivering this.
- Worked with Bayside school and the Department of Education on PSHE/RSE provision.
- Worked with Heads of Year and Form tutors in the implementation of the PSHE/RSE programme.
- Coordinated with external agencies coming into school to contribute to assemblies, charity events or awareness raising eg. GHA, GibSams, Childline, Cancer Relief Centre, Nautilus project, GRA, HMGoG departments amongst others.
- Planned and coordinated whole school Awareness days eg. International Women's Day, Dyslexia, Neurodivergence, Violences against women and children, World Environment Day, amongst other.
- Planned and coordinated whole school fundraising initiatives.
- Liaised with local and international charities.
- Planned and coodinated whole school assemblies eg, Charity assembly and Achievement assembly.
- Planned and coordinated the Year 10 Work Experience programme.
- Planned and coordianted the Year 12 Work Placement programme for Teaching and the Medical and Allied Medical professions.
- Planned and coordinated the Year 9 and 11 Options programme.
- Carried out Year 12 Entry interviews.
- UCAS referee.
- Administration and implementation of the school Rewards programme.
- Administration and running of the school tuckshop.
- Chaired the Pastoral Board meetings.
- Served as mentor to junior teachers, promoting continuous professional growth.
Year 12/13 Coordinator (Head of Sixth Form)
Westside School, Department of Education
Gibraltar
09.2012 - 12.2018
- Responsible for the welfare of all Sixth form students - both pastoral and academic aspects.
- Meetings with parents/carers regarding academic or pastoral concerns.
- Liaised with subject teachers about student academic concerns.
- Liaised with form tutors about student pastoral concerns.
- Monitored attendance records and data for the Year 12/13 cohort.
- Developed and implemented the UCAS programme to prepare students for university applications and admissions.
- Main UCAS referee for the school.
- Liaised with UK organisations re: UCAS provision in school.
- Worked with students on their personal statements for UCAS.
- Coordinated and monitored the student Home Study Leave programme.
- Planned and coordinated the Year 12 and 13 PSHE/RSE programme.
- Liaised with external organisations regarding talks and charity initiatives for the 12/13 cohort.
- Planned and coordinated the Year 12 Work Experience programme for Teaching and Medical and Allied Medical Professions.
- Coordinated the Year 12 entry interviews.
- Coordinated the fundraising initiatives for the 12/13 cohort.
- Producer of the whole school Christmas Concert.
- Planned and coordinated the school participation in 'Clean Up the World'.
Assistant Year 12/13 Coordinator
Westside School, Department of Education
Gibraltar
09.2000 - 08.2012
- Assisted the Head of Sixth form with the duties mentioned in the above section 'Year 12/13 Coordinator'.
Education
Certificate of Proficiency - Counselling
BACP
United Kingdom 06.2025 -
CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling - Counselling
Gibraltar College
Gibraltar 09.2023 - 07.2025
CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies - Counselling
Gibraltar College
Gibraltar 09.2022 - 07.2023
CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills - Counselling
Gibraltar College
Gibraltar 09.2021 - 07.2022
Masters of Arts - Executive Leadership and Management (in Education)
University of Durham
United Kingdom 09.2007 - 06.2010
Bachelor of Education - Biology and Chemistry
University of Surrey
United Kingdom 09.1984 - 06.1988
Certifcate in Teaching Religious Education - Religious Education
University of Surrey
United Kingdom 09.1987 - 06.1988
A-Levels - Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Girls' Comprehensive School
Gibraltar 09.1981 - 06.1983
O levels - English Language + Literature, Mathematics, Spanish, RE, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography
Girls' Comprehensive School
Gibraltar 09.1979 - 06.1981
O level - Human Biology
Girls' Comprehensive School
Gibraltar 09.1981 - 06.1982
Skills
- Active listening skills
- Excellent communication skills written and verbal
- Excellent people skills
- Empathetic
- Non-Judgemental attitude
- Congruent
- Offer unconditional positive regard
- Understanding of the BACP Ethical framework
- Excellent organisation
- Excellent time management
- Collaborative team member
- Problem solver
- Lesson planning
- Change management in education
- Differentiated teaching
- Engaging teaching style
- Classroom management
- Student performance data analysis
- Examination preparation guidance
- Understanding safeguarding policies
- Building trust with clients
- Compassionate care
Languages
English
Native
Spanish
Native
References
References available upon request.
PLACEMENT HISTORY
Trainee Counsellor, 07/2024 - 08/2025
Citizens Advice Bureau
Trainee Counsellor, 01/2025 -07/2025
Psychological Services, Gibraltar Health Authority
Worked with a wide age range of clients, presenting with service level A issues like everyday life problems and service level B1, common mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
Worked mainly using a person-centred and existentialist approach. However, as an integrative counsellor open to integrating other modalities. On placement made use of CBT formulation and Compassion therapy.
Had the opporutunity to learn about assessment and devise routine outcome measurement tools for use with clients.
Affiliations
- Member of a choir
- Pilates, functional movement and Aquafit
- Reading
- Baking
Timeline
Certificate of Proficiency - Counselling
BACP
06.2025 -
CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling - Counselling
Gibraltar College
09.2023 - 07.2025
CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies - Counselling
Gibraltar College
09.2022 - 07.2023
Senior Teacher Academic
Westside School, Department of Education
07.2022 - 09.2023
CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills - Counselling
Gibraltar College
09.2021 - 07.2022
Senior teacher Pastoral
Westside School, Department of Education
01.2018 - 06.2022
Year 12/13 Coordinator (Head of Sixth Form)
Westside School, Department of Education
09.2012 - 12.2018
Masters of Arts - Executive Leadership and Management (in Education)
University of Durham
09.2007 - 06.2010
Assistant Year 12/13 Coordinator
Westside School, Department of Education
09.2000 - 08.2012
Science Teacher
Westside School, Department of Education
09.1988 - 09.2023
Certifcate in Teaching Religious Education - Religious Education
University of Surrey
09.1987 - 06.1988
Bachelor of Education - Biology and Chemistry
University of Surrey
09.1984 - 06.1988
A-Levels - Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Girls' Comprehensive School
09.1981 - 06.1983
O level - Human Biology
Girls' Comprehensive School
09.1981 - 06.1982
O levels - English Language + Literature, Mathematics, Spanish, RE, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography
Girls' Comprehensive School
09.1979 - 06.1981
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