Students from Leeds Specialists schools held a Christmas market to gain invaluable work experience.
Monday marked the start of the annual Compass House pop-up Christmas market at Leeds Kirkgate Market, which is run by students at the schools. The students come up with the name of the pop-up shop and prices and even made the products by hand.
Overseeing the small market filled with students was Kayleigh Thurlow, the Voice and Influence Coordinator at Leeds City Council. She said: “It is essential for students to get this chance to be in an environment like the market, where they get to meet members of the public and learning if this is something they want to do or not.”
A booth run by eager students Georgia-Leigh, Aleesha and Katie from Future Horizons featured homemade soaps and candles along with gingerbread fudge. They said the market let them show people what they could do and had fun participating in the market.
Years ago, many of the specialist schools had complained to the council about the lack of opportunities for their students to gain practical work experience.
In the UK, the rate of employment for people with disabilities is 53 per cent compared to 82 per cent of non-disabled people.
In 2018, the Leeds City Council collaborated with specialist schools throughout the city and organised this pop-up shop for those students.
The Compass House Christmas Pop-up will be running from December 9 to December 13.