A SPECIAL needs school is celebrating after winning the Partnership Working Award for their work providing work experience opportunities with local businesses.

Wargrave House school won the award at the inaugural Natspec Awards, which took place virtually on Thursday, July 2 for their project Post-16 and Enovert/Friends of Lyme and Wood Community.

This was a collaboration between Wargrave House college, a local employer Enovert and community group (FoLW) to provide a range of work experience opportunities, including setting up a community allotment and maintaining the environment on site by collaboratively working with Enovert staff and following their instructions.

A host of leading post-16 providers that teach students with special educational needs and disabilities were recognised for excellence in the sector at the awards of specialist further education organisation Natspec.

There were more thab 50 entries to the five categories, which included the partnership working award and innovative use of technology.

Chair of the judging panel, former Her Majesty’s inspector for FE and skills Nigel Evans, said it was a “privilege” to judge the awards, as the standard of the submissions was “very high and demonstrates the innovation, expertise and creativity within the specialist further education sector”.

Head of Post 16 Learning at Wargrave House LEAP College, Julliet Doherty said “I am very proud of the students in Post 16 and their positive attitude to working with a range of different employers and community groups. Winning this award is a huge achievement which celebrates the success of the students collaboration with our supportive employers such as Enovert and Mercure Hotel and community groups such as Friends of Lyme and Wood and Earlestown Cricket Club.”

For further information about the curriculum at Wargrave House LEAP College and how community links are embraced to develop independence and employability, please call on 01925 224899 or email jullietdoherty@wargravehouse.com.