Skills course for pupils ends with a special tour of town's racing college

The Lifeskills Programme runs for four months and is aimed at improving young people's confidence and helping to prepare them for the world of work.

To celebrate their success, a group of 20 students, aged 14 to 16, from North Ridge Special School, in Doncaster, were taken round the town's racing college.

They toured the stables and raced horses on riding simulators.

North Ridge assistant secondary head teacher Sue Plant said: "We are so proud of these students, they have done really well to overcome their own personal challenges and to successfully pass the Lifeskills programme.

"It has given them the opportunity to learn outside the classroom, to work with business people and with the police and health professionals, as well as undertake work experience.

"We have seen huge improvements in their abilities and their confidence."

Lifeskills has been introduced by strategic body Business and Education South Yorkshire and funded by the European Social Fund.

Programme co-ordinator John Moulson said: "This is the first Lifeskills programme we have run with a Doncaster school and it has been a huge success.

"We have seen the young people gain in confidence and self esteem, while improving their employability skills.

"Celebrating their success in the programme is an important part of their personal development."