CHILDREN moving to secondary school are getting extra help making the transition thanks to a new counselling service in Teesside.

As children and parents find out today (March 1) if they have received the school places they hoped for, a group of youngsters in Billingham are already feeling happier about the move after being supported by ABC Counselling's school transition service.

The project - backed by Tees Valley Community Foundation - will see its first students move into secondary school this year following intensive school transition work with them over the last eight months.

Director of ABC Counselling Peter Lowe said: “Children have all sorts of fears around starting secondary school, from bullying to getting lost to general anxiety and lack of confidence.

"We work on all of these issues with the young people, school and their families weekly to build up confidence and resilience."

Tees Valley Community Foundation’s Chief Executive, Hugh McGouran said: “ABC offer an incredible service. They recognise that if children don’t get a good start in school they cannot achieve their potential, not only academically but in terms of making friends and then moving successfully into the working world.”

Local schools can refer children who might benefit from the weekly support in Billingham. About 30 youngsters are currently using the service.