Ellesmere College Celebrates Wins at Shropshire Dyslexia Awards

Students and staff at Ellesmere College are celebrating after being recognised for the support offered to dyslexic students at the recent Shropshire Dyslexia Awards.

The awards, in their third year, were presented to Shannon Davies, former Ellesmere College student now studying physiotherapy at York University, who won the Shining Star Student of the Year Award. Her classmate Fred Wild, now studying at Royal Agricultural College, was also a finalist.

Meanwhile Learning Support Assistant Amy Hughes took the honours winning the Learning Support of the Year Award, and Head of Support for Learning Jo Manion was a finalist for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator of the Year.

Nominating them, parents said the Support for Learning team had 'changed the life chances' of their children with their 'forward thinking, supportive and open approach' and that they go 'way over and above anything that would be expected' to understand their children's individual and specific needs.

They particularly noted Miss Manion's 'kindness, understanding, patience and complete dedication' to her role.

Speaking after the awards, Headmaster Brendan Wignall said the landscape for dyslexic students is changing all the time.

Mr Wignall, who also chairs the Council for the Registration of School's Teaching Dyslexic Pupils (CReSTeD), attended the 'Made By Dyslexia' global summit in London last month and then saw staff and former students recognised at the glittering Shropshire Dyslexia Awards at Enginuity, Telford, on November 10.

Mr Wignall said: "As Headmaster of Ellesmere College I want to ensure there is the correct and sufficient provision for dyslexic pupils here - and with the help of an excellent team we are doing just that. Dyslexia is not a 'one size fits all' issue - there are different needs for different individuals and schools and colleges need to be able to offer a wide range of support so the students are getting the guidance that works for them. Each child should be given the individual support and care they need to ensure they reach their very best potential and it is something we are very proud of here at Ellesmere College."

"We are constantly reviewing our support on offer and treating each student as an individual - I am delighted that our hard work has been recognised with the awards our dedicated staff and former students have received."

Mr Wignall, whose role at CReSTeD ensures he has access to the most up to date support methods and checks on what is available at other schools across the country, added: "It's important to recognise that dyslexia is a serious condition that affects a lot of people, many of whom don't even know about it because they've never been diagnosed."

"I would urge anyone out there who thinks they may need additional support to speak to their tutors sooner rather than later. Don't suffer in silence," he added.

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19th November 2018  Back to News