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SEND students to run school charity shop
School provides real-world work experience
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By Peter Clark (Senior Editor, Autism Info Center) Tuesday 17th March 2026 |
A special school in East Yorkshire has opened a charity shop to provide its students with essential work experience and life skills.
St Anne's School and Sixth Form College in Hessle, which supports people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), launched the shop on Prestongate to help improve the career prospects of its pupils.
Students aged up to 19 will work alongside staff and volunteers to manage the daily operations of the store.
For example, they will gain practical experience by stacking shelves, organising stock, operating the till, and serving customers.
Profits from the shop will be used to fund school activities, off-site visits, and residential trips.
Headteacher Hendi Longman stated that the project aims to showcase the resilience and talent of the students to the local community.
She highlighted that people with additional needs often face limited opportunities due to a lack of public knowledge.
The initiative is supported by the Sewell Group, which has developed a toolkit to help other employers offer similar placements.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has also encouraged businesses to provide opportunities for SEND students, noting the significant benefits they bring to the workforce.
Source: BBC News (UK)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgl550l4244o
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