BROOKLANDS school and its post-16 students invited Craven businesses to an open event at the school’s new learning space at Craven College.

The students put on a Café for the visitors where they served up breakfast and refreshments before taking them on a tour of their new facilities at the Skipton campus.

Fran Cracknell, head of Brooklands, said the specialist community school was very grateful to the college.

“Our post 16 students now have access to outstanding, age-appropriate facilities, and the learning opportunities these bring. “Being able to hold the business breakfast here provided an excellent platform to showcase the skills and talents of our young people, and we hope it will lead to a variety of work-related placements and events.”

She added:“At our new post 16 provision we are trying to think dynamically about how our young people can access business opportunities in our community.

“Our launch was designed not only to show off the dynamic partnership with Craven College but to engage local providers into the possibilities of work-based learning.”

Sam Emmott, who teaches the post 16 year olds, said: “Gone are the days when students were offered a stand-alone two-week work placement that stood in isolation as a tag on to their curriculum.

“We are prepared to work with businesses to gain meaningful long-term placements which are mutually beneficial to both employers and our young people.

“By national employers attending our launch from many different sectors such as Premier Inn, representing the hospitality industry, we are showcasing access routes that pupils with additional needs can now access. “

Lindsey Johnson, principal and CEO of Craven College, said the college was delighted to welcome the students.

“It provides an excellent opportunity for young people at Brooklands to transition into the college environment and enables us to develop a more collaborative curriculum whereby Brooklands students can experience vocational taster sessions across the breadth of our technical curriculum,” she said.

“The learning spaces that now houses Brooklands post-16 students have been remodelled and improved, including an accessible outdoor pergola and planting area for the students to learn in.

“We hope the students feel very welcome and part of the Craven College family.”

School governor, Brian McDaid, said it had been a very successful launch.

“It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm, passion and smiles on all the students for what great opportunities these facilities will offer for them and the school going forward.

“On behalf of all the governors at Brooklands, I would like to thank Lindsey and Craven College for allowing our students the chance to continue their growth and development in school, and equally important, provide them with the skills and experience to be integral parts of our society as adults.”

He added there were lots of exciting projects coming up at the school, which is based in Burnside Avenue.

He said: “As well as the new facilities for the post-16 students at the college, Brooklands School have many more exciting projects this school year, that I would love our local community to celebrate and will share with everyone very soon.”

Brooklands says anyone who feels they could support it in any way is welcome to get in touch.