SPECIAL in-school support centres to steer troubled teens back on track have got the Government’s attention.

This week Whitehall put the £2 million project among its best examples of behaviour improvement policy from which other authorities can learn.

Three such centres – at John Masefield High School in Ledbury, John Kyrle High in Ross and Aylestone Business and Enterprise College in Hereford – have been set up so far with the scheme eventually being extended to all 14 county high schools by next year.

At their simplest, the early intervention centres offer short-term support to students with specific educational, emotional, or physical issues without removing them from their existing school environment.

Herefordshire Council successfully bid for £2m to start the scheme after working with schools on inclusion ideas and identifying relevant refurbishment and extensions. The centres consist of learning space, meeting rooms and reception areas located close to the heart of their schools.

Councillor Philip Price, cabinet member for education, said the centres were for those pupils who may need extra time, effort and support through tough times, particularly where changes in behaviour interrupt learning.

“Once a young person starts missing out on learning they can get so far behind that it becomes incredibly difficult for them to catch up and they can become demotivated.

“The new centres will provide support to help young people through difficult times so that they can re-enter mainstream education when they are emotionally and educationally ready to do so,” said Coun Price.

Andy Evans, headteacher at John Masefield, said more than 60 students had been through his school’s centre so far with a marked improvement seen among those exhibiting the most challenging behaviour.

The number of fixed term exclusions at John Masefield was now very low for a comprehensive of its size, with the figure falling again this year, said Mr Evans.

Aylestone headteacher Sue Woodrow said her centre, opened at the end of March, was now serving a large number of students, all with different needs.

“The most important thing is that help is provided quickly and effectively. The new arrangements began a couple of weeks ago and are already being well received,” she said.