PUPILS with behavioural difficulties are celebrating success at a school which residents tried to stop opening.

They didn't want emotionally disturbed children being educated on their doorstep. For sale signs went up on both sides of a quiet "back o't' church" Tyldesley Street.

Despite many protests, in August 2000, Kingshill School was established in the former Tyldesley County Primary School in King William Street.

Since then the school, which caters for 63 pupils throughout the borough, has worked hard within the community to help the youngsters work out their problems and steer them on the road to success.

And last night, proud staff and older pupils were celebrating their achievements at their first presentation evening for Key Stage 4 students at Leigh RL Club. The evening was attended by representatives from a wide range of establishments and agencies who have helped the 15 and 16-year-old-pupils -- including Rathbone -- who have found work placements, and Wigan Council's Youth Service, which has organised leisure pursuits. While the younger pupils are taught in Tyldesley, 32 are educated by four staff members at Wigan and Leigh College's Pagefield campus, where the school has been allocated two rooms to enable students to follow a successful work-related curriculum. This includes building crafts, hairdressing, electrical installation and motor vehicle skills.

Acting headteacher Mr Mike Myerscough said: "The awards reflect the hard work and effort that the pupils put in, and their success in overcoming challenges and difficulties which can get in the way.

"The evening is also a celebration of the new inclusive model of provision. We have children working in establishments, businesses and centres throughout the Wigan and Leigh area, supported by a wide range of professionals and business people. Some pupils are also well on their way to achieving their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, but because of the foot and mouth crisis, they have been unable to complete their expedition work. We are all very proud of what has been accomplished so far."

Teacher Mr Tom Lyth, said: "After all the bad publicity we had before the school was established, we thought local people might like to hear of the pupils' successes." Who made the Kingshill School roll of honour? KEY Stage Four awards were made to:

AQA Unit Award Scheme: Chris Sheridan (15 units); Stacey Butterworth, Vickey Tierney, Craig Williams (11); Scott Grimes, Simon Jones (10); Adrian McMahon, Jeffery Story ( 9); Stuart Paul (8); Paul Pennington (7); Mark Bowler, Stephen Crompton, Gregory Yates (6); Gavin Jones, Vicky Peet (3 units); Stuart Bullough, Jennifer Harrison, Craig Roberts (1 unit).

Wigan and Leigh College vocational courses: (building craft occupations) Stuart Paul, Gregory Yates, Adrian McMahon; (hairdressing, electrical installation) Vicky Terney, Stacey Butterworth; (motor vehicle skills) Steven Jones, Gavin Jones; (brickwork) Paul Pennington, Chris Sheridan; (catering) Scott Grimes.

Jeffery Story (motor vehicle skills, hairdressing, electrical installation), Stephen Crompton and Simon Jones (building crafts occupations, electrical installation, art and design).

Craig Williams (motor vehicle skills, electrical installation and art and design).

Rathbone awards: Craig Sheridan (5), Vickey Tierney (5), Simon Jones (4); Craig Williams, Greg Yates, Jeffery Story (3); Laura Barnes, Stacy Butterworth, Adrian McMahon, Paul Stankus, Stuart Bullough (2), Maxine Roberts, Steven Jones, Stephen Crompton, Scott Grimes, Paul Doran, Craig Roberts, Mark Bower, Vicky Peet, Gavin Jones, Paul Pennington, Jennifer Harrison, Ian Carrington, Stuart Paul, Chris Barrington, Stephen West.

Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Awards: Scott Grimes, Chris Sheridan, Stuart Paul, Adrian McMahon, Vicky Tierney.

Greg Yates (skill, physical awards); Gavin Jones and Steven Jones (skill), Paul Pennington (service), Simon Jones and Stephen Crompton (skill, excellent attendance), Jeffery Story (physical, excellent attendance).

Martial arts certificates: Gregory Yates, Vicky Tierney, Craig Williams, Chris Sheridan, Stuart Paul, Jeffery Story, Simon Jones, Adrian McMahon, Stephen Crompton, Scott Grimes.

Attendance awards: Jeffery Story, Craig Williams, Greg Yates, Vickey Tierney, Adrian McMahon, Simon Jones, Stuart Paul.

Record of achievement: Paul Pennington, Christopher Sheridan.