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.
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