Plans to convert Basildon's Fairview School into a centre for unruly pupils have been approved by councillors.

Essex County Council's education committee on Monday agreed to turn the Fairview Road school into a centre for youngsters with severe behavioural problems.

The special school looks set to officially close in August - and the new pupil referral unit to replace it will be capable of housing 40 students at a time.

The centre will be manned by specialist teachers who are trained to deal with troublesome teenagers.

It will be run by the headteachers and governors of other schools throughout the Basildon area.

Mike Barnett, Essex County Council education spokesman, said: "If a child is having difficulties they can go and spend a few months at this unit and be given extra one-on-one attention and concentrate their efforts."

"Their weaknesses can be discovered and built on so that the child can eventually return to school."

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