A NUMBER of pupils have been excluded from Hameldon College, Burnley, following a series of incidents at the new super school.

Headteacher Gill Broome said the expulsions were among a number of measures taken to try to tackle the problems at the school since it opened in September.

In a letter to parents, Ms Broome also explained that the site of the school would be made more secure to stop intruders getting on to school grounds and that extra staff would be employed.

The school, made up of pupils from the former Habergham and Ivy Bank schools, has experienced numerous problems which saw police being called to 19 incidents in the first five weeks of term.

Reports to officers included pupils being threatened at knifepoint, knives disguised as pens being found and bullying.

Worried parents even staged a public meeting to discuss the issues because they said the school was not taking concerns seriously.

Extra CCTV has been installed at the school to try to combat the problems.

Earlier this month police were called to reports of a fight between groups of pupils from Hameldon Community College and Shuttleworth College.

And in November there was a fight between Year 10 and Year 11 students.

Ms Broome said: "Following the incidents a number of exclusions from the college have been made to deal with those students particularly implicated.

"At Hameldon we continue to work with the police, local authority, parents and carers to deal with situations as they arise.

"We are putting in place a number of actions over the coming weeks which we know will assure you that children's education and safety is of paramount importance.

"Our students deserve, and will have, a safe learning environment, free from disruption.

"Working together we know we can tackle the issues that are causing concern."

Council leader Gordon Birtwistle, who has been closely involved in trying to sort out the problems at the school, said it seemed like the school was ironing out its problems.

He added: "It seems that everything that parents have asked for has been done and it is pleasing to see that the headteacher is taking notice of people a bit more and being a bit more proactive. "Hopefully we will now see things settle down at the school and children get the education they deserve in a safe environment."