Young people from St Anne’s School and Sixth Form welcomed local businesses to hear about, and see first-hand, how skills and work-based opportunities are helping them prepare for adulthood.
St Anne’s School and Sixth Form supports children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Young people aged 16 to 19 who attend the sixth form benefit from work experience on site at the school and with local businesses and charities.
Jeremy Kielly, Assistant Headteacher of the sixth form explained the benefits of the college and local organisations working together. He said: “Our young people learn a lot from work experience with businesses; it improves their skills and confidence. In turn, businesses benefit from increased diversity in the workplace and improved reputation as a responsible employer driving diversity and inclusion, and making a meaningful impact on the local community.”
Lucy Dillon, a former pupil at St Anne’s told her story. She explained that she’d taken part in work experience in the farm shop at St Anne’s and went on to complete a supported internship with East Riding of Yorkshire Council. On completion of the internship, Lucy began employment with the council, where she’s been working for the last five years – sorting all the post for children and family service teams and preparing packs for training courses. Lucy is supported by a work buddy, and her line manager Sam Tomkins said: “Lucy has taught us so much. As an example, when Lucy undertook the initial council training, we quickly realised it wasn’t accessible, and she helped us amend the council’s training to be more accessible.”
Representatives from Groupe Atlantic, Smith & Nephew and Reckitt were given a tour of the sixth form site. Each Friday is known as Enterprise Friday, and pupils work in the school’s café and farm shop, take part in woodwork and sewing club and sell what they make. They grow produce to sell in the farm shop and look after animals, including ducks and rabbits
Shaunie Walsh from Reckitt said: “We’ve provided work experience to two groups of young people so far. The pupils attend on Fridays, for a term, and it’s been a really good experience for the young people and for the company.”
Employment rates present a stark contrast between disabled and non-disabled people, with 80% of non-disabled people in employment, compared to 48% of people with disabilities.
Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education said: “It’s vital that our local businesses engage with educational providers to help improve these statistics. When schools and businesses work together, amazing things can happen for our young people! Collaborations like this are really helping us build a stronger future for the East Riding.”
St Anne’s currently work with several businesses and charities including Reckitt, RSPCA, Siemens, Sewell, Peejay Pets, Quickline and Supercraft. Other organisations who would like to get involved can contact Jeremy at: jeremy.kielly@stannes.eriding.net
