A specialist school in Kirkby has opened a ‘mini-supermarket’, providing life-skills for children and young people with severe and complex learning needs.
Bluebell Park School in Northwood, Kirkby provides early years, primary, secondary and post-16 provision for more than 200 students with an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan), and has used funding to set up a student-run supermarket on the school premises.
‘Bluebell Bargains’ was named by the students at Bluebell Park and replicates a real-world shopping experience, complete with a till, fully stocked shelves, freezer items and a coffee machine, and everything that is bought to sell in the shop is re-sold for the same price.
Students have shaped every aspect of the shop, from choosing the products on the shelves to suggesting ideas such as meal deals and loyalty cards. They have also created items to sell, including personalised water bottles, phone charms and lip balms.
Time is built into the school curriculum for students to make products and work in the shop, while cooking ingredients can also be bought from Bluebell Bargains and used in lessons.
Many students face barriers to visiting ‘real world’ shops independently due to additional needs. However, staff at Bluebell Park School have undertaken in-house training to identify learning opportunities such as maths, English and communication skills within the shop to prepare learners for real life settings.
Bluebell Bargains will also provide vital work experience to older students as they prepare for life beyond school, gaining skills in money management, enterprise, roleplay, teamwork and responsibility. One student has recently started work in a local food bank and is transferring skills that he’s learnt at Bluebell Bargains.
Kate Bouch, Post 16 Teacher at Bluebell Park, said: “What makes the project so special is that pupils have been at the heart of it from the very beginning – shaping what the shop looks like and taking ownership of how it runs. Some of our most withdrawn students take on a new persona as soon as they put on the Bluebell Bargains apron. It shows just how valuable this opportunity has been.”
Bluebell Bargains has been made possible through funding from the Cradle to Career programme in Northwood, which brings together schools, local authority services, community organisations and families to work together to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Each school accessing Cradle to Career receives annual funding for school-based projects, which is distributed by place-based change charity, Right to Succeed.
Kate Culvin, Northwood Education Programme Manager at Right to Succeed, said: “Bluebell Bargains is a brilliant example of what change can look like when it is led by the needs, interests and strengths of children and young people.
“We are proud to support Bluebell Park with funding for a project that has been shaped by pupils and staff and which has the potential to make a lasting difference.”
Cradle to Career programmes in the Liverpool City Region are funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation, Wirral Council, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, UBS Optimus Foundation, National Lottery Community Fund and SHINE Trust. For more information on Cradle to Career, visit www.righttosucceed.org.uk/cradle-to-career.