A Day in the Life of an Oxfordshire Educational Psychologist

I’m a Senior Educational Psychologist working for the Local Authority in Oxfordshire, and I thought I’d give you a little peek into what a typical day looks like for me. This has been hard as no two days are ever the same! 

Morning: 

☕Emails, Planning & Coffee (Essential!) 

My day usually starts around 8.15am with a strong cup of coffee and a quick check of emails.

Today I have time before travelling to a school to catch up on messages from schools, parents, and colleagues — sometimes this is a request for support, sometimes it’s updates on children, sometimes it’s about visit arrangements.  

🏫 School Visit 

By 9.30am, I’m at a primary school. I touch base with the SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator) about my visit, which we have already discussed on a previous meeting. I’ve been asked to observe a child who’s having difficulties with attention and emotional regulation.

I spend time in the classroom, watching how they interact, how they respond to instructions, and what seems to trigger stress or disengagement. I meet the child to find out a what they think about school. I use some games, drawings, and some gentle conversations to explore their strengths and their feelings, what they find hard and what helps them. 

Afterwards, I meet with the SENCo, parent and the class teacher. We look at what the child is achieving and talk through what I’ve seen, what strategies are already in place, and what might help next. It’s a team effort—everyone wants the best for the child. 

Lunchtime: 

💬 Travel, Lunch and a brief Parent Consultation 

I tend to eat as I travel (always safely!) or whilst I work. But I do know fresh air is good for me, so if I can have a quick walk around the park I try. 

Back at my desk (or sometimes in the car parked outside a school!), I join a pre-agreed/planned virtual meeting with a parent from a secondary school that I work at. They’ve been worried about their child’s anxiety and how it’s affecting school attendance. We talk through their concerns, explore what’s been tried, and I offer some ideas or signpost to other services if needed. 

These conversations are so important. Parents know their children best, and I always want them to feel heard and supported. I send a quick email to the school SENDCo to keep them up to date. 

Afternoon:

📝 Reports & Reflections 

The afternoon is usually when I try and write up my notes or write a psychological advice for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment or prep for a training or other development activity I have agreed to take part in. I try to make sure my reports are clear, compassionate, and genuinely useful for the child, their family, and the school. Today I have little time for this as I have an afterschool training that I need to prep for.  

End of Day:

🧠 Training 

I travel to a secondary school for 3.15pm as I have a workshop to facilitate to support teaching staff on executive functioning (this is about our memory, processing of information and concentration), how it impacts children’s learning and how teachers can support students who struggle in these areas.   

When I get home, I’ll quickly scan my diary to see what is ahead and read a few emails. 

💭 Final Thoughts 

Being a Local Authority Educational Psychologist is busy, varied, and deeply rewarding. Whether I’m in a classroom, on a call with a parent or school, or writing up a report, my goal is always the same: to help children thrive. 

Thank you for reading! 

This content was provided by Oxfordshire County Council