The Hargreaves Foundation supports Combe Pafford School

The Trustees of the Hargreaves Foundation are delighted to confirm funding has been granted to Combe Pafford School, a school catering for pupils with moderate learning difficulties, physical difficulties, or needs on the autistic spectrum.

Over the last 15-20 years, Combe Pafford School have developed their vision of assisting pupils into employment or apprenticeships, recognising that disabilities and learning difficulties affect academic qualifications, with as few as 6% of disabled people gaining meaningful employment.

The school said, ‘The key to a successful life is inextricably linked to the ability to gain and keep employment; it brings purpose to get out of bed in the morning; a friendship/social circle; develops confidence and self-esteem; financial independence; and feelings of self-worth.  Sadly, unemployment brings the exact opposite’.

Therefore, the school have taken the approach to focus on developing skills within vocational settings, such as horticulture, hospitality and catering, animal care, construction, and motor vehicle. This has enabled many pupils to be successful, with around 50% of pupils each year going on to an employed role or apprenticeship.

Having plans to extend the Motor Vehicle provision and offer Motorcycle Maintenance as a qualified course, Combe Pafford School are seeking funding to support this project. The funding will cover the cost of 7 motorcycles for the students to work on, specialist tools, and a room conversion which will be suitable for teaching the course.