Former Ellesmere College students have been recognised for their support offered to dyslexic students.

Shannon Davies, who is now studying physiotherapy at York University, who won the Shining Star Student of the Year Award, at the Shropshire Dyslexia Awards last week, while her classmate Fred Wild, now studying at Royal Agricultural College, was a finalist.

Meanwhile, learning support assistant at the college 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.

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), 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.”

Parents who nominated the individuals 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 Mrs Manion’s ‘kindness, understanding, patience and complete dedication’ to her role.

Mr Wignall 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.