Somerset Education Business Partnership Awards 2019

Sen.se are delighted that the hard work of their students and staff has been recognised by being named a finalist in the Somerset Education Business partnership Awards 2019.

All schools in sen.se are working hard preparing students for their adult life. The concept of having a unique business venture of a pop-up shop in the community was part of this. The Taunton pop up was the first of a series of outlets which will be popping up all over Somerset and are being run by young people, while the stock is created by pupils from special schools across the county.

The pop-up shop enabled our students to make high quality products and sell them in the community. The products ranged from festive gifts, ornaments, jams and upcycled furniture, to beautiful limited-edition paintings, cards, sweets and plants.

The project is led by Special Educational Needs. Somerset Expertise (sen.se), with the support of charity Young Somerset. Sen.se is a partnership between special schools and specialist provision within Somerset.

The pop-up shop demonstrates the power of collaboration, enabling partners to provide more opportunities for young people to gain valuable work experience and skills for life.