24th January 2025 Inspiring students with special educational needs

As a teacher at a special school where all our children have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), I’ve been fortunate to work with organisations like The Talent Foundry to broaden the horizons of our students. Our school focuses on students with moderate learning difficulties, and over the years, I’ve observed the subtle but significant impact these career workshops have on their development.

It’s important to understand that for our students, progress often happens in a slow, incremental way. You won’t see an immediate transformation after attending a workshop, but the benefits accumulate over time. TTF’s programmes, like Barclays LifeSkills and KPMG WorkReady, have become essential parts of our curriculum for Year 10 and Year 11 students.

One of the biggest challenges our students face is the belief that their special needs limit their future opportunities. Many of them start with the mindset of “I can’t do that” or “I’ll never be able to achieve that.”

However, one of the most valuable elements of the Barclays LifeSkills programme is its focus on the various routes a person can take to achieve their goals.

It has shown our students that there isn’t just one straight path to a career - there are diverse ways to reach the same destination. This concept has been incredibly empowering for them.

One standout example is a student in our school who has a keen interest in business. Even though we don’t traditionally offer Business Studies as a subject, after attending the KPMG workshop, his enthusiasm for the field grew, and because of him, we’ve introduced a Level 1 Business course. His dedication has been remarkable.

He frequently expresses his gratitude for the opportunity and is genuinely excited about learning.

This same student, who could previously be distracted by undesirable behaviours, has become highly focused and motivated.

Another student, who came to us from a school for students with severe learning difficulties, has also benefited greatly. He’s gone from being unsure about his future to taking charge of his education and career aspirations. Last year, he completed a Health and Social Care course and even arranged his own work experience. His drive and determination are clear indicators of the positive influence these workshops have had.

From a broader perspective, the opportunities offered are invaluable to our school. They give our students real-world insights and the chance to interact with professionals who help expand their understanding of what’s possible.

As teachers, we benefit from the workshops because they provide a fresh voice that reinforces the messages we constantly try to instil. Sometimes, hearing from an external source makes all the difference.

In our recent Ofsted inspection, we highlighted the work we do with The Talent Foundry as a key part of the careers and aspirations opportunities we provide to our students. They were highly complementary about the comprehensive career opportunities we offer, noting that they are “second to none.”

This collaboration has significantly bolstered our careers programme and positively contributed to the feedback we received during the inspection.

The workshops have been a game-changer for our students.

They help fill a gap in career education that we couldn’t have addressed otherwise. For our students, who face significant challenges, these workshops offer hope, guidance, and the belief that they can achieve more than they thought possible.

I would wholeheartedly recommend The Talent Foundry’s programmes to any school looking to inspire and empower their students.

Read more stories from our full annual report and financial statements for the past year here.