A PRIMARY school for children with special needs is opening its doors to the public for the first time.

Walworth School, in Newton Aycliffe, is determined to build closer links with the community for the benefit of pupils and residents.

The school, the only one of its kind in County Durham, is for primary school children, who have a statement of special needs and are unable to cope in mainstream schools.

All 60 pupils, drawn from schools throughout the county, have emotional and behavioural difficulties and, in some cases, additional learning difficulties.

The big difference between Walworth and other schools is the high ratio of staff to pupils, with only seven or eight children in each class group working with a teacher and learning support assistant.

There are also some residential children, who stay at the school four nights a week for educational reasons.

The school was built in 1970, but many Newton Aycliffe residents do not even know it is there.

Headteacher Andy Dawson said: "I am sure it must be difficult for people to understand why local children do not go there, and where they come from, so I need to explain up front what the school is all about."

The school is holding an open day on Wednesday, June 27, from 1pm, for nearby residents or anyone interested in finding out more about the way it works.

Mr Dawson, who also wants to invite local primary school teachers, hopes the event will be a prelude to greater involvement with the community.

He said: "It's very important for the children to feel a sense of responsibility and a feeling of being valued and not being labelled a problem.

"We want to show that they have something to offer and to boost their self esteem."