Pupils from Carrongrange School in Larbert are all now heading for positive destinations when it comes to employment, education or training.

For the first time, figures show 100% of school leavers are going on to better their lives through work opportunities, further studying or learning new skills to help them find employment.

All of the pupils who attend the school have varying degrees of additional support needs and have achieved 100% positive destinations (compared with a figure of 46% in 2009).

A partnership between the school and The Action Group’s ‘Real Jobs Falkirk’ has been central to the success rate of the school as headteacher, Gillian Robertson explained: ‘Since the beginning of the Project in 2009, Real Jobs Falkirk have worked closely with the school, complementing the great work done by our staff to support pupils and their families during the very difficult time of transition between school and adulthood.

‘Preparation for life after school is an area of very high priority here, and it is important that our pupils have the opportunity to contribute their skills, talents and abilities beyond school.

‘Post school destinations are an area of real concern for us and it is wonderful to know that all of our leavers last year are in employment, education or training.’

Jim Nicol, manager of Real Jobs Falkirk said: ‘When we launched this Project in April 2009 we had a clear destination in mind for service users. What has been achieved has evolved from the close working relationships formed by the team here with Carrongrange School, Colleges, Partner Organisations, Support Groups, Funders and Families.

‘These have all plated their part in helping to raise the levels of creativity needed to achieve the positive outcomes that we targeted at the onset. Local businesses have also made a major contribution, in what is for them a difficult economic climate.’

Some examples of pupils achieving positive destinations include:

Working at Muiravonside Country Park café, and Blossoms Café at Torwood Garden Centre, learning skills in catering and customer service; an Apprenticeship with CR Smith; College Courses in Agriculture, Childcare, Access to Engineering and Administration; working with the Voluntary Sector, in Charity Shops and the Salvation Army, with a number of pupils being awarded Millennium Awards for Volunteering, and being nominated for the new Saltire Awards.

Dr Alex Waddell, Convener of Education added: ‘Carrongrange offers its pupils so many new opportunities and it is a fabulous achievement to have reached 100% positive destinations.

‘It means that young people leaving the school are engaged in worthwhile activities that will help them to enrich their lives in later stages.’