 Funding of £100,000 was provided by Team Devon Wooden Spoon towards the construction of the centre which offers specific vocational activities and accredited courses in Motor Vehicles, Construction, Hairdressing, Horticulture, Hospitality and Catering, for all pupils irrespective of their disability. Following the opening Jason was invited to try his hand at flower arranging and then to change a car wheel! Hearing the applause for having completed both tasks with aplomb, Jason commented:“Thank you for the seal of approval that you have given to my efforts. l am privileged to open the Wooden Spoon Vocational Centre. The centre provides a realistic working environment for pupils. These courses are a proving to be very popular and successful, with a significant number of pupils going on to meaningful employment in South Devon and beyond.”
 The pupils then demonstrated their brick laying (seen above at left), mechanical and hair dressing skills to guests and Wooden Spoon members who were shown around the new building by staff. Mike Lock, Head Teacher, added: “Jason you have been a really good sport, well done. Today’s opening would not have been possible without Team Devon’s £100,000 donation and our vision to build a facility that provides vocational learning opportunities for our pupils would not have been fulfilled. On behalf of the staff and Governors I thank Wooden Spoon for making this possible.We are committed to providing an environment where pupils feel happy and safe and do not fear failure. They grow in confidence and that increases their self esteem and understanding of their capabilities in preparation for life outside and after school.”
In September 2007 Combe Pafford was designated as one of the few special schools in the UK with Business and Enterprise as a specialism. It provides care and support for boys and girls who have moderate learning or physical difficulties or autism. Subsequently its name was changed to Combe Pafford Business and Enterprise School. The new status was the result of a deliberate strategy to capitalise on the school's fine work over a long period of time with Key Stage 4 pupils in the sphere of work-related learning. Bruce Priday, Chairman, Team Devon went on to say: “Mike and his team work tirelessly to provide the right environment and support for all their pupils. They now have a vocational centre which has been designed to meet all the needs of pupils. Team Devon is delighted to have been involved in this very worthwhile project which aligns with our objectives to embrace the problems of children and young persons who are disadvantaged either physically, mentally, or socially.”
|
