CONCERNS have been raised over the proposed site of a school for children with behavioural, social and emotional difficulties.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council wants to establish a school in the borough for about 50 to 60 pupils with such difficulties, who are currently taught in private and state schools, as well as through the council's Education Other Than At School service.

It is proposing to house the school either at the unoccupied Alderman William Jones building in Grangetown, which has been empty since its amalgamation with the Attlee Road School site to form Caedmon Primary, or to move the Education Other Than At School service into the Grangetown building and use the service's existing Eston site, at Eston Lowfields Centre, for the new school.

But residents living near the former Alderman William Jones School are worried that the teenagers with behavioural difficulties may play truant and cause anti-social behaviour problems in the area.

They are also concerned that primary school children at neighbouring St Mary's RC Primary School may be wrongly influenced by the older children.

Mannie Cook, chairman of the Church Lane Community Partnership, said: "If these kids with behavioural difficulties start missing school they could cause problems which affect the whole area.

"Trouble finds trouble. We already have big problems with anti-social behaviour.

Concerns have also be raised by governors at St Mary's RC Primary School, in Tennyson Avenue, Grangetown, Middlesbrough.

A spokesperson for the school confirmed that its governing body had stated reservations about the proposed site through the consultation process, which has been extended to the middle of May.

Teesville ward councillor and opposition labour leader George Dunning said: "I am glad that the director of education is extending the consultation period. Hopefully, we can get all the views of the local people on board now."

Cabinet member for education Councillor Steve Kay said: "We are only just at the beginning of the road for consultation. If the residents do have any concerns all will have plenty of opportunity to put them to us."

The consultation document is available on the council's website - www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk - and copies are available from the council's Education Department at its Kirkleatham Street offices.