A SPECIAL school which takes a forward-thinking approach to helping children with behaviour problems has been recognised by the Government for its good work.

New Woodlands School, Downham, is one of just a few in the country which accepts pupils with and without a statement of special educational needs.

This is a legal document setting out what support the child needs at school and can take many months to compile.

Special schools are only supposed to accept pupils with a statement but New Woodlands believes behaviour problems need to be tackled as soon as possible.

Its policy proved so successful, 31 children were reintegrated to mainstream primary schools from a total of 38 admitted to the Pupil Referral Unit in the 2005-06 academic year.

Ofsted and the Department for Children, Schools and Families were so impressed with the results, New Woodlands was allowed to continue its policy.

Headteacher Duncan Harper said: "It's more effective to get intervention early on. If you wait six to 18 months, the behaviour gets worse."

The school, in Shroffold Road, caters for five to 14-year-olds.