PUPILS with emotional, social and behavioural difficulties would have had school doors closed to them at one time.

But now there is provision for excluded primary as well as secondary pupils across East Lancashire, where they can shut out difficulties in their worlds or at home and concentrate on learning.

Sunnyhurst Centre, Salisbury Road, Darwen, opened its doors in January to cater for five to 11-year-olds on a permanent or temporary basis.

Other provision in East Lancashire exists under Lancashire County Council control, namely primary provision at Cribden House in Rossendale and plans are under way, with a site earmarked, for an EBD in Burnley in the next twelve months.

There are also pupil referral units in East Lancashire for excluded pupils: four primary and two secondary in Oswaldtwistle and Burnley.

Blackburn with Darwen Council already operates Fernhurst Secondary School in Heys Lane, which was formed when Tullyallen and Bank Hey special schools closed.

But the borough lacked provision for primary children struggling with the same social, emotional and emotional difficulties before the Sunnyhurst Centre.

The centre, which will help up to 21 primary school pupils to cope in mainstream schools, was officially opened by Darwen MP Janet Anderson.

Headteacher Brian Peacock was seconded from Shadsworth Junior School for one year, starting in September, but the post has now been made permanent.

He will now head up a team of three teaching staff, four teaching assistants, and an assistant funded through the Children's Fund, with a view of re-integrating excluded pupils.

He said: "We have three classes but the support is tailored to the needs of the individual child and we can also work with teachers and children in schools.

"There are different routes for children who will come here. They may have been permanently excluded or have a temporary exclusion. Teachers can also make a direct referral in liaison with Special Educational Needs teams and education psychologists, or the child might have moved into the borough and be in need.

"But they do not become our pupils -- it is more like short term respite with a view of equipping them with the social or emotional skills to deal with the rigours of mainstream school."

In addition to full and part time teaching, the centre is also the base for the council's Access to Progression team, which offers support to teachers, and those pupils with emotional or behavioural, literacy or physical difficulties in mainstream schools.

It is also home to the new Behaviour and Attendance team which is funded through Excellence in Cities.

"One of the most exciting parts of the Centre is that it works closely with the voluntary sector who will have a team of family workers based there," said Cath Hitchen, Assistant Director, (Inclusion and Access) Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

"Children can be offered a range of therapies as well as keeping up with the national curriculum to pave the way for their return to school."