SPECIAL schools are hitting back after a report criticised some of them for failing to put pupils in for GCSE exams. Heads of schools across East Lancashire reacted furiously when the Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education said special schools were failing pupils by not including them for exams. The Lancashire Evening Telegraph was invited to one school, Tullyallan, Darwen, to see the sort of work that goes on.

IT LOOKS like any other school from the outside. In fact, it looks better than most.

Tullyallan lies in the heart of a nice residential area of Darwen. You could walk past it and not even know it's there.

But inside are a group of very special youngsters. Children often misunderstood by a public who would rather pretend they are not there.

The so-called special needs pupils at Tullyallan have been through more emotional stress and strains in their few short years than most people go through in a lifetime.

They've had it rough from the start and if it wasn't for Tullyallan they'd have it rough forever.

The school comprises 50 pupils - all boys - aged between seven and 16, who are described as having severe behaviour and emotional problems.

Violence and verbal abuse are all in a day's work for teachers here but, surprisingly, the corridors and classrooms are much quieter than your average 'normal' school.

Headteacher Jill Holman reckons this is down to the fact pupils are treated like adults and have to learn quickly to respect others. The pupils call her Jill. There's no Mrs Holman or Miss or Sir, with all teachers called by their first name.

Next year the school will enter some of its pupils for GCSEs for the first time. It's the culmination of several years' of hard work by staff, following the introduction of the National Curriculum to the school.

Mrs Holman said: "The majority of pupils here do have very high levels of disturbance.

"But unlike other special schools, our children don't get the sympathy. They are all seen as troublemakers and aggressive, but underneath there is a lot more to them.

"It's difficult for the public to look beyond this image, but if they did, then I'm sure their opinions would change.

"We're also very much the poor relations in terms of resources as well as public support.

"We treat everyone as equals here and although only some make it back to mainstream schools, they all leave here a better person and ready to cope with what the outside world has to throw at them."

Finances are a major problem at the school. Because schools only get money based on how many pupils they have and because Tullyallan only has 50 children, you don't need a calculator to work out their bank balance won't be that healthy.

They have a minibus for school outings and that was donated to them several years ago.

But the big companies don't queue up to make donations to schools like Tullyallan because of its 'image' according to Mrs Holman . "But we are one big happy family," she adds. "We have our fair share of problems but we never let them get in the way. We encourage the parents to get involved and I'm always available to do talks to get our message across.

"That's why when reports like the one about GCSEs come out they knock us back and people don't get to see what's really going on."

The school is one of only two in East Lancashire that cater for pupils with such difficulties and attracts youngsters from Preston to Barnoldswick.

All children are set targets each day and are awarded points which go towards certificates, badges and prizes.

Mrs Holman adds: "They so much want to be like the other children at mainstream schools and there is nothing stopping them.

"Sadly, the only negative thing about the school is the public's misguided perception of it."

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