No pupils leaving an additional support needs (ASN) schools in Cumnock managed to secure further education and job training, according to a report.

Two leavers from Hillside in Cumnock, along with three pupils from Willowbank in Kilmarnock, were unable to secure any further job training or education.

This was in contrast to Park School in Kilmarnock in 2021/22, where all nine leavers went on to positive destinations.

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In a report to East Ayrshire Council’s Governance and Scrutiny Committee, head of education Ian Burgoyne said: “The remainder of leavers from both schools were identified as economically inactive and unable to accept an offer of further learning, training, or employment on leaving school.”

The committee was considering a report on the destinations of young people leaving ASN schools.

The council monitors the destination of all students aged 16 to 24, including ‘expected school leaving dates, where young people intend to go after school, whether this be into a job, Modern Apprenticeship, Further or Higher Education.

The report continued: “East Ayrshire Council’s Education and Employability services can track and monitor the progress of young people and identify gaps in provision to meet their needs more effectively and move them into or closer to the labour market.”

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Mr Burgoyne’s report continued: “Importantly, across the ASN specialist sector, transition planning for life after school takes place over several years, and this is especially the case for young people with severe and complex additional support needs.

“For these young people, further learning, formal training programmes or employment may not be a viable option and transition planning is focused on their future care and the move into adult services.”

Councillor Elaine Stewart asked if there were areas for improvement.

Mr Burgoyne replied: “We’re always looking to improve in everything we do.

“I think one of the things that we’ve identified and has been really key for these young people is when they go into modern apprenticeships.

“I think we need to be much more robust and  sometimes we need to spend more time actually looking at developing skills before they go into the apprenticeship to make sure they sustain it.

“So that’s something we’re focusing on at the moment “