A NEW research project designed to raise educational achievement and reduce school exclusions has benefited 31 Black African and Caribbean boys.

The scheme, a Quality Projects initiative by Ealing Council, has been devised to improve the life chances of black and ethnic minority children and forms part of the government's objectives for children's services.

It involves tracking the boys, aged from 10 to 16, to find out what happens to them in school and working with them to see how they can be helped to improve their educational attainment.

Five teachers currently make up the Quality Projects team, filling the gap when the school cannot get in touch with the young person's social worker and intervening by working closely with the school on a daily basis.

The young people, in turn, develop high self-esteem and confidence as they feel there is someone who has time for and listens to them. Their achievement in education is also raised.

Support comes in many forms, from intervening to prevent exclusions, by offering a range of support measures such as extra tuition, to providing better access to computers and anger management.