A NEW £2.5m school in Poole to educate youngsters excluded or unable to attend ordinary schools for other reasons, has been opened.

The Quay School, built on the old Rossmore library site in Herbert Avenue, provides short stay education programmes from six weeks to two terms.

“We are delighted with our new home and work hard to make a real difference to children and young people whose education has not always been a positive experience,” said headteacher Jo Perry.

“By providing a creative and supportive environment for our students we help to get them back on track by developing the skills and strategies they need for coping and succeeding in education and life.

“Permanent exclusions have plummeted in the last 12 months due to the outreach work we have undertaken in schools, and with this new facility our ultimate goal of ending all exclusions is a real possibility.”

The new building, completed at the end of 2010, was funded through a targeted capital fund grant from the government together with Borough of Poole’s children’s services capital programme.

Students and staff moved into the modern three-storey building in January and facilities include ICT areas, catering, practical and general learning areas, offices and shower facilities.

A vegetable garden will provide produce to share with the community and it is planned to run a regular café for local pensioners.

“All young people deserve the chance to succeed,” said Anne Newton, strategic director for children’s services in Poole.

“The resources provided here create an exciting and innovative curriculum that meets the diverse needs of the students, enabling them to develop a positive future for their education.”

The school has bases at Broadstone for GCSE pupils unable to attend school for medical reasons and a site at St Aldhelm’s Academy for vocational learning.