BARRIERS to learning are being broken down in a Newton Aycliffe school thanks to work inspired by an American project.

Greenfield School Community and Arts College is being transformed into a One Stop Family Support Centre with an educational welfare officer, counsellor, nurse, two advisors and a student support worker.

A family support worker is soon to join the team, all the members of which are on site to help pupils in need.

The project is called Regenerating Education and Community Health (Reach). It is funded by the Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, which has awarded the school a grant of £44,000 over two years.

The concept of the centre, or "full-service schooling" as it is also known, was developed in the US in the 1980s.

The idea was for schools to provide integrated health and social services, helping families and individuals, and raising educational achievement in disadvantaged areas.

Greenfield headteacher Mike Thornton said: "It has long been recognised that if pupils are troubled, stressed or upset they will find it difficult to learn.

"In Newton Aycliffe, a town where there are some areas with high levels of social deprivation, it is clear that many pupils have a lot to cope with.

"Since the start of the project, pupils have sought advice and support on a huge range of issues, from bullying and conflict with friends and family members to problems with drugs, control of anger, self-esteem, body image and health.

"Many children are from chaotic and unstable backgrounds. Many find themselves struggling to cope in a vicious circle of low expectation, limited horizons and poor aspiration.

"We hope to turn this around, giving pupils the specialist support they need to encourage them to thrive and achieve their full potential."

Since the project was launched in January, 166 pupils have been helped by Reach, 29 per cent of school pupils.

School nurse Julie Rodgers has seen 61 pupils with a variety of problems ranging from basic medical issues to sexual health advice.

She has also helped 13 pupils from partner schools in the area.

Eight pupils have attended a course to help them stop smoking, and so far two have achieved their goal.

Other preventative work includes sex and relationship education, first aid and healthy eating.