Chelmsford College is striving to help the students develop the right skills for a variety of local industries. With our stakeholders’ unique knowledge, we can effectively tailor our curriculum to stay relevant and generate opportunities for our students and the skills needs of businesses across Essex. We are focussing on bringing value now and for the future, and we welcome your expertise.
Our Stakeholder Engagement Strategy is laid out within the link below. You can also read more about Essex County Council’s Essex Sector Development Strategy, the South East Local Enterprise Partnership Skills Strategy and the Chelmsford Economic Strategy.
Beacon Hill Academy is a school for children with multiple and profound SEND ranging from Early Years to KS4.
Over the past several years, many students have successfully passed their Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship there. As the school is so specialist, we have worked with the employer to ensure we can provide a flexible approach to supporting their students, including delivering the qualification solely in the workplace.
Beacon Hill particularly appreciates this as so many children have high medical needs. A nurse must approve our students to administer medication and specialist feeding bags. Delivering in the workplace means our students can factor their taught session around the employer and pupil’s needs.
Before the Covid 19 pandemic, we also used to arrange a yearly trip for all of the Teaching Assistant Apprentices to spend the day at Beacon Hill Academy. Most of these apprentices are based in mainstream schools, and it is a hugely valuable experience for them to see how a SEND school operates. Beacon Hill allowed Chelmsford College students to study the curriculum in the classroom.
"Support for this student has been excellent. Jodie is always available to this student and answers any queries quickly via email. The college and Jodie understand our school and ensure that she considers this when supporting the students with their KSBs."
Case Study | Connected Learning
Connected Learning
Founded in 2013, Connected Learning is a primary-only MAT based in Mid-Essex. It originated from collaborative partnerships and school-to-school improvement support through Powers Hall Junior School (now Powers Hall Academy).
There are currently five schools within the Trust: Cherry Tree Academy and Iceni Academy, both in Colchester; Powers Hall Academy and Templars Academy in Witham and Silver End Academy.
"Our goal is simple – provide each child and adult that associates with the trust I lead with the very best experiences and opportunities. Since my first day as CEO, I have focused on building a culture of respect, integrity and openness. A place where all can thrive irrespective of the part they play – this is what the Connected Learning trustees and I believe in and will strive for each day."
Since joining the apprenticeship team at Chelmsford College about 6 years ago, all schools within our Multi Academy Trust have worked with the college.
We have had many apprentices based throughout our five schools within the Trust over the years. They have all completed their Teaching Assistant L3 and equivalent TA qualifications. The students attend college once per week and have 4 days in the workplace. Faye Welsher oversees all the apprentices and built strong working relationships with all the school, mentors and staff.
Collaborative and transparent working ensures the apprentices are fully supported, and their progress is monitored to ensure a successful End Point Assessment.
Several students have been employed by Connected Learning and continued on Teacher Training Degree at Canterbury and Anglia Ruskin, others have been employed as LSA's within the Trust, and some have moved onto alternative employment.
Our Team has also had the benefit of updating our CPD about safeguarding with the MATs Executive Safeguarding Lead and Family Liaison Officer Faye Welsher.
"I have worked with Chelmsford College for over 6 years now. My role is that I oversee the apprentices. This is from the very beginning when I get their CVs, to interviewing and then being their first port of call when they start with Connected Learning. If they are based at Templars, then I am their mentor.
Within this time, I have developed a very good relationship with Sejal Patel the work-based tutor who comes in to see the apprentices, completes their reviews, observations and tracks their progress. Our relationship is very transparent and works extremely well. I am confident in raising any concerns with her and know they will be always addressed sensitively and professionally. All the apprentices feel that they can go to Sejal and discuss concerns they have be it with their personal life or their college work.
The communication is very good between Sejal and myself, we are both aware of each other's roles with in our establishments and sometimes, things can come up where as a last resort, we will have to rearrange, but this is always communicated quickly. I also have contact with Dave Cornwall and Anne Jones and Serene Jackson, who are always very professional and responded to in a timely manner.
I really enjoy working with Chelmsford College and looking after the apprentices collaboratively and hope to continue to do this for some time."
