A SPECIALIST college for young adults with learning disabilities has plenty to celebrate following news that 79% of their 2014 graduates are now in work, far higher than the national average.

Foxes Academy in Minehead offers its students the chance to undertake vocational hospitality courses in a real working environment - Foxes Hotel.

Of the 79% employed, 55% are in paid work and 45% are working on a voluntary basis, meanwhile 68% of leavers move in to independent or supported living.

Principal Tracey Claire-Gray said: "You can’t change the system so we believe in changing young lives.

"By training our students in a real hotel youngsters gain skills which ensure they are able to get a meaningful job in the hospitality industry when they leave us."

The college offers vocational training in a real business which is combined with national qualifications, work experience and the chance to live in a community with similar young people.

"We have an extensive and highly successful work experience placement scheme within the local community involving 32 separate employers," Mrs Claire-Gray added.

"At the end of their time at Foxes our students are equipped to make an easier transition into work than you might expect for someone who has to live with the daily challenges associated with autism, Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and many other debilitating learning disabilities."