ABSTRACT
Extra curricular activities, such as the formation of a student committee, are also important in providing opportunities to enhance skills, exercise responsibility and apply knowledge and understanding gained through work carried out in the classroom. The use of a student committee provides a valuable vehicle to use decision making skills. The use of a student committee is a productive method of developing and experiencing self-advocacy and in particular the promotion of independence, which is paramount for school leavers in their preparation for adult life. People's behaviour tends to be profoundly affected by the role expectations that are placed upon them and they generally play the roles they have been assigned. Both staff and parents must be aware of initiatives and development within the school and be working in partnership with students. The concept of partnership is also relevant to students in the post 16 department who have profound learning difficulties.
