A special education school opened its doors to showcase the work it carries out with students who have learning disabilities and special needs.

Employ My Ability, now in its third year of operating, recently opened its Walled Garden in Moreton to the public, and people flocked to find out more about courses on offer at the school as well as its student success stories.

Homemade cakes and fresh coffee were on the agenda as students gave tours of the facilities and services.

Through Employ My Ability, students can study for qualification from entry level up to GCSEs and BTECs. Courses in English, Maths, Science and ICT are provided alongside vocational courses such as Hospitality and Catering, Horticulture and Land Management.

The skills taught are then practiced within The Walled Garden’s cafe, gardens, campsite, shop and animal park, where students are encouraged to interact with customers which help them develop essential social and communication skills.

Quoting data from The Papworth Trust charity, Employ My Ability says disabled people are more likely to be unemployed than non-disabled people, and at 19 years of age, 28 per cent of disabled people do not have a qualification higher than Level 2. The school is hoping to combat these statistics through its services.

Offering vocational qualifications alongside “in-house” work-experience, Employ My Ability aims to create opportunities for students to be employed in the local community. The school currently supporting its third-year students to access external work experience placements in organisations such as the National Trust, Wyvale Garden Centre and Costa Coffee.

One parent said: “Although leaving school and transitioning was something I was naturally anxious about, Harry soon settled into EMA within a very short period. Staff are extremely supportive of the students and needs are quickly identified.”

Employ My Ability also has a second centre at Thorngrove Garden Centre in Gillingham.