Learning Support Assistant (LSA)

Ellie, former student of Ormiston Shelfield Academy, is now an LSA at the school.

It was always Ellie’s dream to become a primary school teacher, until she started to study Sociology at GCSE. She fell in love with the subject and decided that this was what she wanted to teach!

Whilst at Sixth Form Ellie applied to many local universities as she is also a dancer and had thought about studying dance. However, on results day, Ellie decided that she didn’t want to go to university… but she had no idea about what she wanted to do!  Luckily Ellie had previously investigated apprenticeships in Education, and with the support of Shelfield Principal, Mr. Turnbull, Ellie started her apprenticeship at the academy. One of the biggest challenges was transitioning from Sixth Form student to staff, however, the students soon gave her the respect as a member of the staff team.

Ellie’s advice to other OAT students:

• Keep communicating with senior members of staff; ask them to help with next steps
• If you can, do some voluntary work during your free lessons; Ellie helped younger students in the academy