Petty Pool Vocational College

🎉 What an incredible Neurodiversity Celebration Week! 🎉

Last week was all about celebrating different minds and challenging stereotypes.

From our Year 3 learners exploring employability skills in Macclesfield to creative problem-solving with an A5 piece of paper in science enrichment and Pathways learners making their own stress balls to support well-being—it’s been a fantastic week of learning and inclusion!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us in championing neurodiversity. Let’s keep the momentum going—because every mind deserves to be understood, valued, and supported!

📢 What was your favourite part of NCW 2025? Drop it in the comments!

"Nice pyjamas, Emma!" 🌙 ✨

No matter what Emma Myles wears to work, one learner always greets her with this line—and it’s little moments like this that remind her why she loves what she does.

Emma always knew she wanted to be a teacher, but it wasn’t until she discovered SEND education that she found her true passion. Now, as Curriculum Manager at Petty Pool, she’s shaping the future of inclusive education, overcoming challenges, and inspiring the next generation.

💬 Her advice to women in the workplace?
"Make it known that you want to progress—ask for training, go for that interview, and get yourself in the rooms where decisions are made!"

💜 Read Emma’s story, as part of our Her Story campaign, and get inspired: https://www.pettypool.org.uk/her-story-celebrating-emma-myles/

As we celebrate International Women’s Day & Women’s History Month, follow along to hear more incredible stories from the women of Petty Pool!

✨ At Petty Pool, we are committed to creating a world where neurodivergent individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered.

This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we pledge to always:

✔️ Advocate for inclusive education & employment.
✔️ Provide accessible learning environments.
✔️ Celebrate the strengths of neurodivergent individuals.

📢 How do you support neurodiversity? Share in the comments!

We are proud to be supporting Neurodiversity Celebration Week!

This week is important because it raises awareness, challenges misconceptions, and promotes more inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.

💡 Did you know?

🔹 1 in 7 people in the UK are neurodivergent.
🔹 Neurodivergent employees often excel in problem-solving, creativity, and innovation.
🔹 Small adjustments in the workplace—like flexible working, noise-free zones, and clear communication—can make a huge difference.

Let’s work together to create spaces where every mind is valued!



(Source: British Dyslexia Association, CIPD)

💖 Her Story: Celebrating Katie McGlynn

Juggling work, studying, and being a mum to two young boys isn’t easy—but Katie has embraced every challenge, growing from a Work Experience Learner Mentor to a Careers & Transitions Coordinator here at Petty Pool.

💬 "Petty Pool has played a huge role in my growth and development by providing a supportive and encouraging environment. The opportunities for training helped me build my skills and confidence." – Katie McGlynn

In our Her Story series, where we celebrate Women's History Month, Katie shares her career journey, the ups and downs of work-life balance, and the incredible support she’s had along the way. If you’ve ever doubted yourself or faced hurdles in your career, Katie’s story is one you’ll want to read!

📖 Read it here: https://www.pettypool.org.uk/her-story-celebrating-katie-mcglynn/

✨ Follow along as we celebrate more inspiring women at Petty Pool!

🚨 Last chance to apply! 🚨

Our Finance Assistant position closes tomorrow! ⏳ Don't miss this opportunity to join the Petty Pool team and make a real impact.

If you're detail-oriented, great with numbers, and looking for a rewarding role, this could be the perfect fit for you!

📅 Deadline: 14/03/2024
📍 Apply now: https://www.pettypool.org.uk/job/finance-assistant-2/

Tag someone who might be interested or share to spread the word! 👇

A huge congratulations to our learner, Ben! 🎉

Ben has been recognised for his outstanding talent in writing, receiving a Certificate of Merit from youngwriters.co.uk for his entry in their creative writing competition. The theme was "Fight or Flight," and Ben wrote an action-packed story featuring Indiana Jones.

His passion for writing has been truly inspiring, and he was especially eager to win a prize to make his family proud. Ben is pictured here with his certificate, trophy, and a £30 Amazon voucher. What's even more exciting is that his story will be published in a book alongside other winning entries from Young Writers UK! 📚

Well done, Ben – this recognition is so well deserved! 👏

Happy International Women’s Day 💖

This March, to celebrate International Women’s Day & Women’s History Month, we're shining a spotlight on some of the incredible women who make up the Petty Pool family. Over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing inspiring stories from Marie, our Senior Finance Officer; Katie, our CEIAG & Transitions Coordinator; and Emma, our Curriculum Manager.

These women have made incredible strides in their careers and are here to share their journeys, challenges, and triumphs.

Additionally, we’ll be highlighting some exciting initiatives planned by our AOC This Girl Can Ambassadors at Petty Pool.

Stay tuned for these stories and let’s celebrate the power, resilience, and leadership of women in our community!

Careers Week 2025 at Petty Pool was a huge success!

Our learners had an inspiring week filled with career exploration, hands-on activities, and valuable connections with industry professionals. From meeting experts in digital design to gaining insights from Chester FC, and even learning practical skills like CV building and healthy meal prep – this week has empowered our learners to take the next steps towards their future careers. 💼✨

Check out the full blog to find out more: https://www.pettypool.org.uk/careers-week-2025-empowering-petty-pool-learners-for-their-future-careers/

Happy Employee Appreciation Day!

Today, we celebrate the heart of our company—our amazing team. 🙌 Your dedication, hard work, and positive energy make Petty Pool thrive every single day. Thank you for everything you do!

As Sally Garrat, our CEO, puts it, "Our success is built on the incredible people who make this place special, and we're proud to support you every step of the way."

From free lunches or car sharing, cycling or walking to work, to fun initiatives like "Let's Talk, Let's Walk" and "Comfy Footwear," we're committed to creating an environment where you can succeed, connect, and stay active. We love seeing you take walking meetings, and staying connected in our "Let's Talk" hub!

Here’s to many more moments of growth, collaboration, and appreciation! 🙏

🌟 Donations Needed 🌟

Do you have any unwanted gifts or empty candle holders? Donate to support our Project Learn Hive Appeal and help fund our tombola and raffle at our Spring Fair!

How You Can Help:
✔️Unwanted gifts, bottles or other new items for our raffle and tombola
✔️Empty candle holders for our horticulture students to fill with small plantsYour donations will help raise funds for a state-of-the-art outdoor education centre for special needs students.

Event Details:
🗓️ When: Saturday, 10th May 2025 | 10 AM – 2 PM
📍 Where: Petty Pool, Pool Lane, Sandiway, Cheshire CW8 2DR

📧 If you would like to support us through donations, please contact: [email protected]

Let’s celebrate creativity and community at our Spring Fair! 🌸✨

🎉 We are hiring!

Looking for a fresh start or a new challenge? We've got some fantastic opportunities for you to join our world-class team! Whether you're seeking part-time flexibility or full-time commitment, we have roles that might be the perfect fit!

Part-Time Opportunities:
💼 Finance Assistant
📝 HR Admin
🤝 HR Advisor
📚 Learner Mentor

Full-Time Opportunities:
📣 Marketing & Communications Officer
🏢 Business Support
✍️ Digital / IT Tutor 12 Month FTC (MAT cover)

👉 Ready to take the next step? Apply now and let's make a difference together! 🔗 https://www.pettypool.org.uk/current-vacancies/

We are delighted to announce that we have been selected as Thrive's Charity of the Year 2025! 🌟

A huge thank you to Dave, Thrive’s Managing and Creative Director, for his kind words: "We’re delighted to be working with the team at Petty Pool. The positive impact they bring to the lives of young people with learning difficulties is incredible, it really matters. We’re looking forward to applying our creativity and know-how on a number of the College’s exciting initiatives." 🙌

We’re looking forward to collaborating with Thrive and making a genuine difference! Together, we will empower young people and create fantastic opportunities.

🌟 Faithful New Patron 🌟

We are delighted to share that Dan Bird, star of BBC's Traitors, is joining Petty Pool as our new Patron! 🎉

Dan's passion for supporting the neurodivergent community aligns perfectly with our mission at Petty Pool – and we’re pleased to have his support as we look to break barriers when it comes to creating a more inclusive society.

Join us in welcoming Dan to the Petty Pool family! 💙

🔗 https://www.pettypool.org.uk/petty-pool-welcomes-dan-bird-as-new-patron/



Picture: BBC/Studio Lambert

Exciting News! 🎉

As you might’ve seen, Petty Pool Vocational College has been shortlisted for the 2025 Natspec Innovation Awards in 3 categories!! This recognition highlights our commitment to innovative practices in education.

🏆 Categories:
✔️ Curriculum Innovation
✔️ Innovative Approach to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
✔️ Innovative Routes into Employment

Our projects, including the Digital Pathway Partnerships, Neurodiversity in Work Conference, and All Inclusive Fashion with BEPO, showcase our dedication to enhancing education and employment outcomes for young people with SEND.

Read the full article to discover how we’re helping young people with SEND ➡️ https://www.pettypool.org.uk/petty-pool-vocational-college-shortlisted-to-3-natspec-innovation-awards-2025/

📢 Are you a Co-op member? You can choose us as your local cause!

Saluto x Petty Pool is now part of the Co-op Local Community Fund! We are on a mission to enhance job prospects by providing speech therapy to improve workplace communication skills for our learners at Petty Pool. 💪

Your support can make a world of difference! Choose us as your local cause and help us empower our amazing learners. Click here to learn more and support our project: https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/91222

Happy Love Your Pet Day, everyone! 🎉🐾

Today, we're absolutely thrilled to celebrate the furry companions that bring joy, laughter, and a touch of chaos to our lives. Our employees have shared some heartwarming snapshots of their beloved pets, and we couldn't be more excited to showcase these adorable members of our extended family!

Join us in celebrating the unconditional love and happiness that pets bring into our homes and hearts. Share your own pet photos in the comments below, and let's spread the love together! 🌟❤️