Aylestone Meadows - Post 16

Head of Centre - Sally Gough
Welcome to Post 16 at Ellesmere College. I’ve been Post 16 lead since 2018 and we’ve celebrated a range of successes in that time.
We put a large emphasis on work related learning and work experience and students will engage in either supported group experiences or independently accessed placements depending on their needs. This has included the Premier Inn, Leicester Riders, Soft Touch café, B-Inspired and Manor House.
In September 2022 we started a collaboration with Leicester University Hospitals and DFN Project Search and we now have 8 students on placements at the hospital with the aim to move into employment once their placement is finished, two students have Honorary contracts already. We will continue to run this program with up to 12 students each year as we are committed to raising the employment potential of our students.
We are also keen for students to develop other interests and increase their awareness of organisations in the community that they can access in the future. To enable this we have hosted events from Leicester Tigers, Voluntary Action Leicester, St. Johns Ambulance, NHS Dental nurses and we will soon have an Outdoor Learning Coach from Leicester City in the community to support us delivering Forest School sessions. Last year representatives from ‘Pollinator for Schools’ helped us increase the ecological diversity of our site and supported us in building bug houses. Following developing interest in agriculture we applied for and successfully obtained a ‘Get Growing’ grant to develop our allotment area.
Being located where we are enables us to access local cafes and other amenities including outdoor gyms and parks. All students become members of the local public library and they are responsible for choosing and checking out their own books. We also encourage students to make their own purchases when on visits as this helps to develop independence skills. We use public buses to visit the city centre and other areas of interest.
The Ellesmere motto ‘Be your best, Be happy, Believe’ is just as relevant for Post 16 students and staff as it is elsewhere. We want students to become confident in progressing to the next stage of adulthood and to have the tools they need to be happy and to seek support when it is needed.
We work closely as a team with students, parents/carers and other professionals to ensure the provision we provide is the best it can be for our current cohort. This means we are constantly evolving to meet various needs.
I find it motivational and rewarding to work in such a stimulating environment and I’m pleased to say the staff and students appear to as well.
So a very warm welcome from Post 16 and if you want to arrange a visit please contact reception.
Warmest Regards,
Sally
Lead Staff

Assistant Principal /
Head of Centre
Sally Gough

Specialist Provision
Coordinator
Sophie Jacques

Lead Teacher
Maths & PSHE
Jo Marshall

Lead Teacher
Preparation for
Adulthood
Diane Adams

Lead Teacher
English & Healthy Living
Paul Stapleford

Student Support Officer
Dave Fox