National recognition for Aurora Foxes therapy team

Therapy Team Lead Kerry Laing said news they’d been Highly Commended in the Further Education Team of the Year category of the prestigious awards came as a huge surprise.

“We had no idea we’d been nominated!” she said.

“It’s an amazing feeling. It’s great to be recognised for the work we’ve been doing to develop our therapy team and service provision, continually improving in order to support our students to reach their potential.

“Therapy underpins everything we do at Foxes, whether at the hotel, in the classroom, on work experience or in our residential homes. Our aim, alongside all our colleagues, is to enable students to be able to access our curriculum and to be as independent as possible whilst they’re with us as well as when they move out into the world – to be ‘Work Ready, Life Ready’, which is our college philosophy.”

Therapy at Foxes is split into Occupational Therapy and Speech & Language Therapy and comprises (pictured above, from left): Mel Delbridge, Speech & Language Therapeutic Support Practitioner; Sharon Arnold, Occupational Therapy Support Practitioner; Kerry Laing, Occupational Therapist and Therapy Team Lead; Susie Palmer, Head of Pastoral Care; Jacqui Hopwood, Speech & Language Therapist; Paul Howitt, Speech & Language Therapy Assistant. Also in the team, but currently on leave, is Speech & Language Therapist Fran Whitfield.

In addition to their primary roles, the team are also Thrive practitioners, a sexual health adviser, restorative support provider and a PRICE (Protecting Rights in a Caring Environment) trainer. 

Kerry said: “The speech and language therapy team has been instrumental in supporting students to pass English Speaking Board exams and assist the education team in deciding what level of NVQ would be appropriate for each student. Our occupational therapy team, meanwhile, is equipping them with the important skills they need to be able to function with everyday life skills and reach their potential.

“If we find any students are struggling with certain tasks or ability to communicate, understand and access the curriculum, we carry out assessments to identify why, and then make a bespoke therapeutic plan to support and help them overcome such obstacles.” 

Foxes Principal Mark Costello said the therapy team deserved to be recognised for the exceptional impact they have on students every day.

"At Foxes, therapy is not something that sits alongside the curriculum – it underpins it."

He said: “Our therapists play a vital role in helping students overcome barriers to learning, communication, independence and employment. 

“Through close collaboration with education, care and vocational teams, they help create an inclusive environment where every student can access opportunities, develop confidence and make meaningful progress towards their individual goals. This recognition is a testament to the expertise, dedication and impact of the team.”

The team at Foxes are also celebrating Educational Learner and Support Practitioner Kerry Stapleton, who was awarded Bronze in the Unsung Hero category of the Pearson National Teaching Awards 2026.

Mark said: “Kerry leads our Williton Community Café and has been instrumental in creating meaningful opportunities for students to develop independence, employability skills and confidence within a real community setting. Her work exemplifies our commitment to inclusion, ensuring students can develop skills and contribute meaningfully within their local community.”

The announcement of the awards today coincides with National Thank A Teacher Day, which celebrates teachers and support staff across early years settings, schools and colleges.