A SCHOOL in Nelson is combating truancy with a new club.

Headteacher Martin Burgess said the Prince's Trust 'xl' club was already having a positive effect on the group of year ten students at Edge End High, some of whom rarely attended school previously.

Out of the 20 students identified to be at risk of permanent expulsion or with a very poor attendance rate at the beginning of this academic year, 18 have responded well and changed their outlook on attending classes.

Mr Burgess said: "The majority of children in that group at this time are really responding well but at the same time there are no guarantees with things like this. I am really pleased with the success so far.

"We identify those who are disengaged from education and they go and spend time with the xl teacher and they do the sort of activities which make them realise that it is a good idea to behave in class and gives them an incentive to turn up."

The group is being co-ordinated by a qualified youth worker after it was decided the school needed one on site.

Pupils work in an informal environment on activities aimed at developing personal and team building skills as well as citizenship and enterprise skills that prepare them for the world of work.

Xl co-ordinator Mashuuq Hussain said: "The first few weeks were spent trying to build up relationships within the group and generally getting the students to respect each other and actually take time to listen to others. Now, we're really starting to get somewhere and we're seeing some very positive results.

"The students are really enthusiastic about the club as it's giving them a different experience of learning and they're more motivated to come to school.

"You have to remember that many of these pupils have mentally already left school and it just isn't stimulating for them. The good thing about xl is that we allow them to take it in their own direction so they benefit from it."

Pupil Donna Riding, 14, said: "It makes a change for us. I was never in school before as it was totally boring but now we have discussions and talk through ideas. It's brought my head together."

The xl club recently attended a conference at Preston North End, held by The Prince's Trust, where they worked together to welcome delegates.

They will also be attending Skill City in Manchester in November, which is a four-day celebration of skills that aims to give young people an insight into the different opportunities available to them.

The group is also working on a community project with the local council to make more young people aware of what the council does and they hope to set up a cyber caf in the school.