A Bath special school has launched a £300,000 fundraising drive to open a cafe and shop where pupils can learn skills to help them prepare for the world of work.
Three Ways School, in Odd Down, needs to get donors on board ready to start work on the new Workskills Centre in May next year.
The aim is to provide the community with a meeting place, while at the same time helping the older pupils pick up new skills and gain work experience.
Head teacher Julie Dyer said currently only seven per cent of adults with special educational needs were in paid work and Three Ways wanted to change that.
She said: "Young people who could help support themselves and contribute to the economy need to gain skills and, even more importantly, confidence ready for working in our local economy. That's the thinking behind this project.
"We receive Government funding for core curriculum teaching, but that doesn't cover ambitious extra projects like this.
"We won't let that stand in our way of giving students access to the world of work - a chance they deserve every bit as much as any other school leaver."
The Teacup Appeal has the support of Paralympic sprinter Ben Rushgrove and Bath baker Richard Bertinet.
Mr Bertinet said: "The school itself is architecturally beautiful and the cafe will offer a great meeting place for students and visitors alike.
"More importantly though, the scheme will offer much-needed opportunities to young adults with a learning disability and provide them with the transferable skills required that will potentially lead them to employment."
Mr Rushgrove, who has cerebral palsy and is deaf, said it was important that young people with disabilities grew up to be as independent as possible.
He added: "It's a lot of money to raise but every penny will be worth it when it's built and you can see how it will benefit not just the young people but the wider community."
People can find out more about the new cafe and shop by going to www.threeways.co.uk/teacup and can donate money by going to www.justgiving.com/ThreeWaysTeaCupAppeal.
