Technology is all around us. Long gone are the days when we could just walk into a classroom with a handful of papers and a piece of chalk. Pupils are exposed to technology on a daily basis and are embracing it. The way pupils learn is fundamentally changing. A flexible, blended classroom model is replacing the one-size-fits-all approach. Teachers at Ellesmere College are using digital technologies to engage pupils with more personalised learning experiences. In essence the integration of technology is enhancing their teaching and also developing pupils knowledge.

The use of Class WebPages, Virtual Learning Environments and Ellesmere Online are proving a very successful way of driving outside-of-class discussion. The science departments are utilising such resources to provide a revision portal that breaks the subject down into easily digestible segments. Pupils can access the Webpage from their own computers and navigate around the content which has been a simplified for them. The site contains information on the syllabus, teaching notes, downloadable materials, images, videos from YouTube showing experiments and external links to revision sites such as BBC Bite size. The site is updated regularly so that pupils can have instant access to their lesson plans. The subject is still being taught through traditional text book methods but the introduction of such sites is supporting pupil’s development and understanding of the subject.

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James Baggaley, Geography Teacher and Housemaster of St Luke’s Boarding House joined Ellesmere College in 2007 and, since then, he has never looked back. We asked him to tell us what life is like.

Ellesmere College fits perfectly with my vision of education - a focus on the individual, and a rounded education that focuses on all a pupils’ strengths, allowing them to excel in areas that inspire them. The same can be said of myself; I am always motivated by the variation within my days - literally no two weeks are the same. In my roles of Housemaster, teacher and sports coach I am fortunate to see pupils in a number of different environments, this allows me to see pupils who may not be good in one area prove their worth in another. As a Housemaster of 6th Form boys I am able to see the boys learn new skills, become self sufficient and more confident young men. Under the simple moto of ‘do your best and look after each other’ St Luke’s Boarding House is home to young men from a number of different nationalities and it is always impressive how they all unite and learn and share traditions and cultures. This plays a massive part in the development of citizens in an increasingly global world and thus, to be part of this, is incredibly rewarding.

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For many years Ellesmere College has enjoyed a close association with the farming community. Many of the school’s pupils come from families with agricultural backgrounds, as do hundreds of its old boys and girls. Alex Heath is no exception to this; his family from Eaton Upton Tern, near Market Drayton, Shropshire successfully ran a pig business until 2006 when they ventured into 36,000 free range hens to accompany the 140,000 broiler unit.

They now successfully run two pedigree Limousin herds; ‘Tern Valley’ and ‘Peplow’, in which Alex takes a leading role. Alex moved to Ellesmere College from Wrekin at the age of 16 to study for his A-levels and to be part of the school’s Rugby Academy. Alex said, “When it came to studying for my A-levels I also wanted to play rugby at a higher level. Ellesmere College is known to be the strongest in the area and the results at the time showed they were better than all the other schools”.

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Hi my name is Tally Thompson and I am a past student at Ellesmere College. I have just finished my degree at Loughborough University studying graphic design and visual communications and a few weeks ago, I was nominated for the MTV ‘Student of the Year’ award. 

This is a national competition with students entering from all around the country. I had to create a webpage and a video promoting myself and demonstrate through internships, societies and part-time jobs that I am not just an average student. The prize for this award, along with the title of student of the year, is a summer placement in MTV’s media department as well as attending and covering MTV’s EMA Awards in Amsterdam. 

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Finally I’m able to write something about my experience in the last 2 years at Ellesmere College. It is not that I would casually have too much spare time to do so; I have just finished with my IB exams a week ago.When I first came to Ellesmere College from Vietnam I was a bit afraid of not being able to get used to the new life, but everyone was very welcoming and friendly. When I arrived a girl from Germany took me to my room, helped me settle down and offered me her cereal knowing that I was hungry. I didn’t find much time to feel home sick.

In Ellesmere, besides the classrooms, I’m offered a range of opportunities to get involved in many extracurricular activities. I continue with badminton which I’ve been playing for a year, and started playing squash. We have a badminton team and all kinds of sports from volleyball, basketball, hockey to football and so on are played in House Competitions. I never have to stick to either being artistic or sporty, I have been involved in the production of two plays: one by Shakespeare and another one called Vanity Fair.

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We live in an increasingly competitive world, whether that’s seeking to gain entry into the best universities or finding employment that fits with our passions and skills. At Ellesmere College we are seeking to give our students an ‘edge’ by connecting them to our global network of Alumni and their willingness to mentor and inspire students at their ‘old’ school.

Offered to all Year 11 and Sixth Form students at Ellesmere College, as part of our Leadership and Entrepreneurship programme, The Edge is a series of short talks and presentations from Old Ellesmerians and current parents at the school, all of whom are at the top of their profession or certainly on their way to the top.

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Headmaster, Brendan Wignall, has just celebrated his 50th term since taking over the reins at Ellesmere College. We asked him to reflect on his time here and what he looks forward to about the future.

Q. You are in your 50th Term at Ellesmere College which means that you started here in 1996. People say that Ellesmere is a very different place from what it was when you arrived. How would you characterise the changes?

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History teacher Jessica Smith was appointed as the new Housemistress of St John’s Boarding House in September. We asked her to tell us what life is like in our most junior Boarding House.

The first thing that strikes you when you walk into St. John’s Boarding House is the warm and friendly atmosphere. It is a happy place where the children are able to relax with their friends after a full day at school. There is a wide range of after school activities for St. John’s children including swimming, dancing, baking, and of course they can enjoy all the fantastic sporting facilities on site including shooting and golf.

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Ben Hall, a pupil at Ellesmere College is an inspiring example of the support and opportunities available to students through the global network of Old Ellesmerians. 

Ben who lives in Baschurch attended The Corbet School for his secondary education and had a passion for science, but at the same time loved writing and the arts. So to say he had trouble deciding on GCSE options, let alone a career. Ben hovered between wanting to pursue engineering, theoretical physics, biochemistry or medical journalism before finally settling on medicine.

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