‘Enabling Individuals’ – Ellesmere College CReSTeD Re-accreditation

Ellesmere College is delighted to announce its re-registration as a 'Category DU - Dyslexia Unit' by The Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils (CReSTeD).

The College welcomed CReSTeD inspectors in early May to review the current programme in place and interviewed many pupils and staff as part of the day. The inspectors were able to visit some of the specialist support lessons and talked openly with the pupils about the support that they receive as well as the progress they are making as a result.

The inspectors were very impressed with the learning support provision Ellesmere College provides and their report found the following areas worthy of note:

"Ellesmere College has created a caring, supportive environment in which students can develop academically and personally. It has a strong ethos of enabling the individual to reach their full potential in all areas. The work of the Support for Learning Department ensures teachers are well informed about individuals with learning needs and this information is used effectively to create an unobtrusive network of support around those with needs. The College provides students with a wide variety of opportunities to try new things and perhaps discover strengths they didn't know they had - something which the parents and students appreciate. Lessons within the Support for Learning Department are individually tailored and the IEPs are useful working documents for all staff. Progress is good and pupils achieve well. Students and parents like the school, students are happy here."

Highlights included:

• The ISI Educational Quality Inspection Report of September 2018 states: 'Whether as individuals or as part of a team, most want to give their best and not let others down. This is due to the ongoing support pupils receive from individual boarding and teaching staff to help them achieve their goals. It is also because governors and senior leaders have successfully embedded the school's ethos and supported staff to be able to provide a nurturing environment.'
• There is a wide variety of academic support available outside of lesson time and in the evenings which the students can access to reinforce their learning.
• In all lessons visited, it was evident teachers were aware of the differing needs of their students and of effective methods of differentiation.
• Parents all commented about the improvements in their children's confidence and happiness: 'They are very dedicated to getting the best out of individuals.'

A Category DU identifies the school has having a designated Learning Support Unit or Centre providing specialist tuition on a small group or individual basis, according to need.

Ellesmere College was also recognised in the recent Shropshire Dyslexia Awards for the Learning Support Team's ongoing high levels of provision and care in teaching students with dyslexia and other learning needs.

A copy of the report is available by emailing: reception@ellesmere.com

6th June 2019  Back to News