LESSONS are to take a dramatic turn at St Thomas's Pupil Referral Unit in Blackburn.

Pupils who are not currently attending mainstream schools for health and other reasons will be given their first chance to work with and learn from actors.

Manchester-based Talia Theatre will be working with youngsters aged 11-16 to look at how their emotions affect their day to day and longer term choices and how to increase their self-esteem, confidence and motivation.

The moves comes after Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council won £3,000 in funding from the First Time Projects Fund, supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The Foundation, which was founded in 1956, supports innovation in education through the arts and has already spent more than £135,000 on the artists' residency in education programme.

Deputy headteacher Patricia Walker, said: "Talia Theatre will be working with a group of 11-13 year olds who are about to re-enter mainstream school after some intensive support in the unit, and a group of Key Stage 4 pupils who are unable to attend school for a variety of health reasons.

"Drama is a great way to explore emotions and look at how they affect the way we feel and behave and the choices we make as a result and how that awareness can lead us on to success. Talia will also be training some of our teachers in using drama techniques in day to day practice. We're very excited about the project."