SS&L Apprentice of the Month – November 2025

🎉 This month we are celebrating Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprentice Elysse, who has won the SS&L Apprentice of the Month Award for November 2025! 🎉

Elysse was nominated for the award by her tutor, Sarah, who says “I’m not sure Elysse knows how good she is, she just gets on with it! As a busy working mum, she is bossing this course: everything is handed in on time, she is conscientious, and her work shows how much she is learning every day in school.”

When asked about her apprenticeship journey, Elysse said “I’d been looking for a new a new job for a few years. I’d been in the same job since I was 21. I loved it but desperately wanted a change. I came across the apprenticeship advertised on the Manor Court Facebook page as both my children attend there. I umm-ed and ahh-ed for a while as my mum was poorly and I was taking her to various appointments all the time. But whilst mum was having a treatment, I decided to fill out the application form while I was waiting, never thinking I’d be contacted as a possible candidate. The process was really relaxed and friendly.

“Fast forward and I’m now nearly a year in and I’m loving it. I love to learn and going back to college at 38 has actually been really amazing. I have enjoyed it immensely and made some great new friends. To-date I haven’t found anything stressful or hard. Sarah Gill, my tutor, has made everything really easy to understand. It feels more like a group conversation about experiences rather than a lesson. Sarah is super approachable and understanding. Especially with me being a mum, with after school clubs coming out my ears and other various roles I have within my local community!

“I feel really settled at Manor Court and thank them (staff and children) for believing in my abilities, this has helped my confidence no end!’

We asked Alan Clode, deputy head at Manor Court Community Primary School for comment who was “not surprised” Elysse won! He said, “she is dedicated, skilled, and flexible, and does everything with a willingness and a smile!”

And what does the future look like for Elysse? “After I’ve finished my apprenticeship, I’d like to explore children’s mental health and maybe do a course in this.” So congratulations Elysse, we don’t think we could put it better than Sarah when she said: “Well done for being a big hit at SS&L, with your school team and the children at Manor Court. You are TRULY appreciated by all!”