A CAMPAIGN to give a north Durham special school a £1m facelift has been launched.

Hare Law School, which specialises in educating pupils with autism and learning difficulties, has unveiled a three-year project to enhance the site in Catchgate, near Stanley, Headteacher Maggie Collins said the state-of-the-art facilities would bring the school, which was built in 1960, into the 21st Century and in line with mainstream schools.

She said: "It will be a dramatic change from what we have here now.

"Pupils will be able to have a wide range of experiences on site, which we currently have to buy from other agencies and travel to.

"It will enhance education right across the curriculum."

Work at the school, which has 91 pupils aged four to 16, will be carried out in three phases and the aim is to have it completed by September 2015.

The first phase includes an outdoor learning space, with a gazebo in the lower school, along with a raised sand pit, a nature area, climbing equipment, play facilities, an allotment bed and a willow dome for storytelling.

Mrs Collins hopes it will be completed next year, before a sports hall, which will double as a community facility, is built as part of phase two.

Plans for the upper school for the third part of the plan include a flood lit outdoor games area, a sheltered space with planting and seating, a nature garden and a climbing wall.

The plan already has planning permission from Durham County Council, but the school now has to raise the funds and is applying for grants and looking for private sponsorship.

Fundraising is being carried out by pupils, parents and teachers, but anyone wishing to help is welcome to get in touch.

Mrs Collins took over seven years ago and last month earned the school's best ever Ofsted report, with an overall 'good' rating.

She added: "We are not very prominent in the community, but is very important that people realise that we are here and celebrate the work we do.

"This project is about making us more equal to other schools in the area.

"Children with special needs have just as much right to a good education as other young people."

To help, email m.collins100@durhamlearning.net or call 01207-234547.