CHELFHAM Senior School at Bere Alston is looking for local businesses to help with its work experience programme.

The school is appealing to firms who may be able to offer work placements, work shadowing, tours or visiting the school to talk about the work they do.

Chelfham caters for boys and young men with a wide range of learning difficulties and individual needs.

It has recently had some success organising work experience placements for many of the pupils, including at supermarkets, garages, farms, builders' merchants and many others.

The school said these placements were vital as they gave the young men an idea of what skills they would need to be successful in the future — skills such as time-keeping, communication, team work etc.

It was also about building confidence and self-esteem as the pupils felt they were making a positive contribution to their community.

The school is now looking to go one step further and is committing to becoming an 'Investors in Careers' school — this will highlight the school as one that takes careers education very seriously and will improve the prospects for students.

If anyone can help the school in its quest or would like further information, please call Julia Edmonds on 01822 618515.