Meet Our People
Leslye Henstock
“My name is Leslye Henstock and I am the programme area leader (PAL) for the Early Years team. I have worked at West Nottinghamshire College since 1994 when I began as a sessional tutor. In 1999 I secured a permanent role as a tutor.”
Last year, Leslye became PAL. Here she tells us more about her role and her thoughts about West Notts College.
“My role is certainly an interesting and varied one. Not only am I a tutor and co-ordinator, I am also available to all tutors for guidance. I’m involved in ensuring the self assessment reports are up-to-date as well as monitoring the expenditure of enrichment funds for our students.
“It’s very much a developing role and I’m enjoying the new challenges. One of the highlights of the College year so far has to be our recent Tasters, Shakers and Creators workshop day, which we put on for all of our 250 Early Years students to take part in.
“We had over a dozen workshops for students to select, ranging from belly dancing, Chinese cookery, drumming and singing. It was an absolutely fantastic success. Staff will agree with me that our team efforts in arranging this lively and interactive day brought out great qualities in our students. I would even go as far as saying it’s been life-changing for some individuals whose confidence has blossomed and their real characters have shone through since this event.”
What makes Leslye most proud about working at West Notts College?
“I work with a wonderful team of people. Their dedication and commitment to improving lives is phenomenal. We have such a range of skills and personalities between us and it’s a pleasure to be working with some genuine, caring people.
“I’m a local girl, from Mansfield, so I’m very passionate about West Nottinghamshire College. It’s a huge part of the community and it’s playing a very major role in putting high-quality education on the map nationally.
“I am inspired by Asha’s drive and ambition and how she really makes her staff feel valued and confident that she is committed to maintaining the College’s reputation for high standards, quality education and ensuring that we remain a grade one outstanding place to work and study.
And finally, Leslye give us an insight into her character.
“To sum myself up, I would say that I constantly ‘reinvent the wheel!’. I enjoy keeping things renewed and refreshed in the learning environment and my colleagues know me as a bit of a champion of causes! I don’t accept second best and I regularly go into battle.
“I am proud to be a member of the employee council, where I bring any issues to the council’s attention. It is encouraging that my colleagues feel they can call upon me to raise various matters at those meetings.
“I really enjoy being in such a lively teaching environment. It requires incredible amounts of energy, as working with young adults can be very demanding.
“However, the rewards are great and there’s no better feeling at the end of the academic year when you see the students’ smiling faces as they realise they have passed their course with really high grades.
“I’m firm yet fair with my Level One students. I always tell my groups ‘You won’t like me at the beginning of the year, but by Easter you might think you like me and by the end of the year the majority of you won’t want to leave!’”