In 2017; 102 students from across the SILCs took part in the Mark Your Mark ballot (largest youth consultation in the UK). From the ten issues the students collectively voted that a Curriculum to Prepare us for Life as the top issue for them. Students took over the SEND Partnership Board (previously Complex Needs Partnership Board) in November 2017 and spoke to the board about what a curriculum for life means to them and how they would like valuable work experience.
The Compass House work experience project was set up in 2018. With support from Leeds City Council, staff from specialist schools across Leeds supported students to come together to plan and open their very own pop up shop for one week during the month of December in Kirkgate Market. Students made all decisions about the shop (known as Compass House) including making all the products to sell.
Due to the success of the project in 2018, this has now become an annual event.
