Sixth Form students at Meadowgate School have been thriving thanks to work experience placements in the local community.

Cambs Times: Meadowgate students thank local businesses for work experience, Students working at Co-op.Meadowgate students thank local businesses for work experience, Students working at Co-op. (Image: Archant)

Students with learning difficulties have successfully taken part in a variety of placements ranging from local primary schools, garages, riding stables, a tattoo studio and nationwide companies including the Co-op and Tesco.

A spokesman for the school said: “The students have experienced working in real life situations, built up relationships with colleagues, taken on responsibilities, had to organise themselves and develop their own confidence in ways that we can’t replicate at school.

“The support we get from the local community is vital to developing our students into rounded citizens that have a value in the workplace and we can’t thank the staff in these businesses enough.

“The school would like to thank particularly, Keith Grass, manager of the Co-op store and Kevin Chestnut, manager of Tesco Extra in Wisbech for their faith and willingness to support our students.”

It has been their first experience of supporting work placements for students with special needs and there have been particular success with

the Co-op, Tesco, Fenland Equestrian Centre, Gorefield Primary school, Elm Road Primary school, Marshland Service Centre, Kett’s Autopaints and New Image Tattoo studio.