An Outstanding Derbyshire SEND school is creating 70 new specialist places and expanding a pioneering employment-focused programme designed to tackle one of the biggest inequalities facing young people with learning disabilities.
Brackenfield SEND School in Long Eaton has opened The Orchard, a ground-breaking new facility that will support an additional 70 secondary-aged pupils while significantly strengthening its award-winning post-16 provision, helping more young people progress into employment, independence and adulthood.
The investment comes at a time when employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities locally remain significantly lower than the national average.
Across the D2N2 region, just 1.8 per cent of working-age adults with a learning disability who receive long-term support are in paid employment, highlighting the barriers many young people face when leaving education and entering adult life.
Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2024, Brackenfield supports children and young people aged three to 19 with complex learning, communication, physical and medical needs. The school has become recognised for its innovative approach to preparing young people with SEND for adulthood, developing specialist pathways that bridge the gap between education and employment.
The Orchard expansion represents a major investment in that vision, increasing capacity while enabling more young people to access specialist programmes focused on life skills, independence and employability.
Brackenfield’s bespoke Learning for Life programme is built around three pathways – Preparing for Adulthood, Preparing for Independence and Preparing for Employment – ensuring every student receives support tailored to their individual needs, aspirations and abilities.
The programme combines vocational profiling, employer encounters, travel training, work experience placements, careers education, community projects and supported internships, creating a clear pathway from school into adult life.
Research cited by the school shows that young people who experience four or more employer encounters are 86 per cent less likely to become NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), underlining the importance of meaningful workplace experiences from an early age.
Brackenfield has also achieved the nationally recognised Quality in Careers Standard and has consistently met 100 per cent of the Gatsby Benchmarks for careers education, placing it among the leading schools nationally for careers and employability provision for young people with additional needs.
Sophie Evitts, Head of Site at Brackenfield SEND School, said: “For many young people with SEND, the greatest challenge is not school itself but what happens next.
“Too often, young people with learning disabilities face barriers to employment, independence and community participation despite having enormous potential.
“We believe every young person deserves the opportunity to lead a happy, fulfilling and meaningful adult life. For some that may be paid employment, for others it may be volunteering, greater independence or increased involvement in their local community.
“The Orchard allows us to expand those opportunities, reach more young people and strengthen the support available as they prepare for adulthood.
“We are passionate about helping employers see what our young people can achieve when they are given the right opportunities, support and belief.”
A key part of the school’s approach is building strong partnerships with employers and training providers, including IKEA Giltbrook and Inspiro Learning.
Students are supported to explore different workplaces, identify their strengths and develop transferable skills, while employers receive guidance on creating more inclusive workplaces and opportunities for people with SEND.
Post-16 student Thomas has been completing his work experience with construction company Stepnell.
He said: “I love going to work experience with Stepnell. I like meeting all the different people there and learning about their jobs.
“Everyone is welcoming and I like watching the work they are doing take shape.”
Ashley Lukowska, Learner Services and Wellbeing Manager at Inspiro Learning, said: “We saw the work Sophie and the team were doing around supporting young people into employment and were really inspired by it.
“We now welcome pupils on a regular basis and provide hands-on experiences within a workplace setting. We’ve already seen clear improvements in confidence, communication and engagement. It’s a privilege to be part of their journey.”
Executive Headteacher Trish Turner said: “The Orchard is far more than a building expansion. It represents our commitment to changing expectations and creating genuine opportunities for young people with SEND.
“Too often, young people with learning disabilities face significant barriers when they leave education. We are determined to challenge that.
“By creating 70 additional specialist places and expanding our employment-focused pathways, we are ensuring more young people can access the skills, experiences and support they need to live fulfilling adult lives and contribute to their communities.
“We want employers, communities and wider society to recognise the talent, potential and value these young people bring.
“We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved and excited about the opportunities this investment will create for current and future pupils.”
Alongside creating 70 additional specialist places, The Orchard provides dedicated spaces for employability, life skills, communication and independence training.
The development strengthens Brackenfield’s ambition to become a regional centre of excellence for preparation for adulthood, helping more young people with SEND move successfully into employment, further opportunities and independent living.
ENDS
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