A YORK school that provides education for excluded children has been praised by Ofsted inspectors.

The Secondary Support Centre, in Cornlands Road, teaches youngsters who have not settled into mainstream schools or who have been excluded.

Inspectors, who visited the school in January, said it was an effective unit which was held in high regard by secondary headteachers, parents and pupils.

They said the quality of teaching was very good and the centre provided good value for money.

The school was asked to draw up an action plan to address attendance and to appoint a key stage three co-ordinator.

Head teacher of the centre, Chris Nicholson, said: "I am absolutely delighted with the report.

"This is the fourth inspection of the centre over the last 12 years and on every occasion the report has got better."

"Schools have worked very closely with us to ensure that every young person who might fall out of the system gets a second chance and our local colleges and training providers have formed a partnership with us to let under-16s access their courses.

"This report recognises the strength of the team working, which gives young people the chance to succeed."

Patrick Scott, Director of Education at the City of York Council, said: "When children have had problems with their education it is a very difficult task to re-engage them and to help them to achieve.

"The team at the centre has worked tremendously hard to ensure that children learn in a supportive environment and one which encourages achievement."

The executive member for education, Coun Janet Looker, said: "The Secondary Support Centre does a brilliant job of helping some of our most vulnerable children and I am delighted that the hard work of teachers and pupils has been recognised by Ofsted Inspectors."

Updated: 09:34 Thursday, March 06, 2003