Going to work improves pupils' confidence

This case study profiles the partnership between Linburn School, in Glasgow, and McAlpine Plumbing, a local manufacturing company.

Linburn is a special school which caters for students with complex learning difficulties. Its partnership with McAlpine Plumbing enables students to carry out a work placement in the factory each Friday.

This case study portrays the experiences of four Linburn students and the nature of their work within the factory. This enterprise activity highlights the benefits of employer engagement for schools and young people. It also explores how the experiences provided by McAlpine help the students to increase their levels of self-esteem and confidence, as well as improving their learning and behaviour at school.

The factory workers also give their perspectives on how the partnership has affected their working life and what they have gained from it.