Eleven pupils with special educational needs from St Paul’s High School in Bessbrook, County Armagh, have completed a programme designed to move them directly into employment or further training. All 11 are now continuing into work or study, with three already in part-time jobs and others taking up summer positions.

The programme, called An Droichead (The Bridge), was jointly developed by the school and the Newry-based charity Bolster Community. It is funded by the Department for the Economy. Over the course of the programme, students earned qualifications, undertook supported work placements with local businesses, received mentoring and were given help with travel.

Northern Ireland has the lowest disability employment rate of any UK region. There is also no statutory requirement for post-school transition support for pupils with special educational needs. St Paul’s teacher Marion McMahon said that without a programme like An Droichead, many young people face a sudden end to support when they leave education.

The scheme mirrored an apprenticeship model, with three days a week on placement and two days at the school focusing on qualifications including English and mathematics. Placements were arranged in areas such as retail, hospitality, plumbing, car mechanics and graphic design. McMahon said the school found that one size did not fit all, so each learner’s programme was tailored individually.

Alison Slater, of Bolster Community, said the charity and the school had seen the same gap and combined resources because neither could deliver the wraparound support alone. She noted that some students initially aspired to be gamers or social media influencers but changed their career plans after their placements.

Jamie Harte, 17, worked in a primary school. He described helping children learn and assisting staff, and said the placement made him want to pursue a job in a school. Taylor McGeeney, also 17, is autistic. His mother Edel said the programme provided the extra year of support and maturity he needed, calling it the bridge to the next step. Oisin Ager, another 17-year-old autistic participant, completed a graphic design placement with a sportswear company. His mother Emma said the experience helped him overcome self-doubt and gain confidence.

The school and charity said local employers had been highly willing to take part. McMahon noted that businesses across the region had stepped up to provide placements.

All participants have now completed the programme. The school plans to run it again, pending continued funding.