A SPECIAL School in York has been recognised for its outstanding careers work.

Applefields School, on Bad Bargain Lane in York, has been awarded the national Quality in Careers Standard by Prospects.

The national Quality in Careers Standard is awarded to schools and education providers who can demonstrate the importance they place on careers and how they support students to make decisions about their life after school.

Head teacher, Adam Booker, said:“We are thrilled to have achieved the national Quality in Careers Standard awarded by Prospects.

"At Applefields we recognise the important role school plays in helping students develop their knowledge, skills and experience so they can go out into the world and achieve personal success.

"This award has provided a flexible framework that enabled us to audit our work on careers and ensure our students are receiving advice, practical support and experience so they are prepared for the next stage of their education, employment, self-employment or training.

"Furthermore as a special school this shows just how much we value our young people and want their destinations to be equivalent to their peers – our team have been working so hard to achieve this – its great!"

More than 1,100 schools and colleges are already voluntarily working towards or have achieved the national standard for careers.

There is a statutory duty to ‘secure independent careers guidance’ for all students from year 8 onwards and the Government also recommends that all schools should be required to work towards the national Quality in Careers Standard.

Achieving the national Quality in Careers Standard shows the head teacher, governors and leadership team at Applefields School 'embrace, promote and endorse quality careers education and recognise the part it plays in the overall success of the school and its students'.

Mr Booker said that the school offers a range of activities to introduce students to the work of work and help them make decisions about life after school including work experience, working with local employers as part of their school timetable or in their very own student run café and tuck shop.

Applefields was rated good by Ofsted at its last inspection in 2015 when there were about 144 pupils at the school which is York's only secondary school for pupils with special needs and caters for youngsters aged 11-19.

Mr Booker said: "We're continually working to improve the chances and opportunities of all the students. Recognising the importance of preparing students for their future careers the school began working towards the national Quality in Careers Standard."