Pupils get to work in the Peak District National Park

Pupils enjoyed a taste of working life when they spent a busy day serving visitors in the Peak District National Park.

Ten students from Chapel en le Frith High School tackled a range of tasks at Castleton Visitor Centre and Blueberry Café as part of a Takeover Challenge.

They served customers in the visitor centre shop, helped visitors to find out more about Britain’s original National Park and worked in both the kitchen and front of house in the café.

The Takeover Challenge is developed and delivered by Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, with Careers Local funding, for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. It supports learners through a four-month programme, matching them to local employers to enhance students’ understanding of working life, while increasing their confidence and employability skills.

Peak District National Park head of outreach development, Sarah Wilks said: “This initiative is a great way to develop a close relationship with local schools and to offer support to young people into the workplace.

“It also allows us to think about our own workforce and the opportunities to work with young people, especially those with special educational needs and disabilities.”

Headteacher Simon Grieves said: “The experience exceeded all of our expectations. We know that these students are fantastic and capable young people but to see the confidence they have gained as a result of this project really is quite extraordinary.  I’m confident that it will make a real difference to their prospects in education and employment.”

Clare Talati, director at DEBP, added: “This challenge depends on a true partnership approach and working with Chapel-en-Le-Frith High School, the Peak District National Park, Blueberry Café and Careers Local ensured we were able to provide a meaningful project for all the learners. The young people were fantastic and well supported by all involved.”