A PROJECT that gives pupils a chance to study vocational subjects could be rolled out across Darlington.

The Skills Plus project, believed to be the only one in the country, bases 56 pupils from Eastbourne Comprehensive School and McMullen House at Darlington College, where they will complete their statutory education.

At an awards ceremony held this week, it was announced that the project had exceeded expectations and could be extended across every school in the borough

The project has been developed between Darlington Borough Council and Darlington College

Alongside English and maths, students are able to choose from a range of courses including hairdressing, construction, sports and catering, which they study Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.

If they are successful, they will leave with level one qualifications, equivalent to GCSEs.

Darlington College principal and chief executive Sarah Robinson said: "This has been a leap of faith for everyone and the support from the various partners and parents has been terrific.

"Attendance has been very high, showing that if pupils attend, they do achieve.

"Many of the pupils have achieved beyond their expectations, surprising themselves and their families and hopefully will leave with qualifications which are equivalent to GCSEs.

"We are just six weeks into the programme which is an important milestone and it is important to celebrate the achievements so far.

"There is still a long way to go and pupils need to stick to their task, but we feel it is going to be a very successful programme."

Teacher in charge of Key Stage Four at McMullen House, Liz Hemingway, said the scheme was the best thing to have happened to disaffected children.

"It proves to all the sceptics that everybody can achieve," she said.

"In just six weeks, at least 11 of these children have reached L1 in Key Skills thanks to teaching that has truly motivated them."