A pupil referral unit will open at part of a former secondary school in Deal.

Southwood will be on the Walmer Science College land, at Salisbury Road, in time for the new academic year on Monday.

It is for pupils who are excluded, experiencing emotional or behavioural difficulties, or otherwise unable to attend a mainstream school.

The service is being run by Enterprise Learning Alliance, the pupil referral unit for Dover district and Thanet.

Micheala Clay, executive head teacher at ELA, said: “Enterprise Learning Alliance is currently moving into two out buildings on the former Walmer Science College site and this will be open next week in time for the start of the new school year.

“The provision, which will be known as Southwood, will cater for 40 pupils between the ages of 11 and 16.

"It will offer an alternative education on both a full-time and time-out basis, depending on the needs of each individual.

“Schools in Dover, Deal and Sandwich will benefit from Southwood, which will provide vital support to boost pupils’ self-esteem, teach them life skills and enhance their education within a safe, caring and healthy environment.”

ELA is a cross phase pupil referral unit for young people between the ages of 11 and 16.

It consists of six sites and the service caters for up to 165 pupils at any one time accessing full time provisions.

It also supports additional pupils through outreach support in mainstream schools and has part-time group or individualised behaviour intervention programmes.

Previous occupants Goodwin Academy vacated Walmer Science College in August last year.

The move followed a campaign to designate the site an Asset of Community Value (ACV) after Walmer Science College amalgamated with Castle Community College in 2013, forming what is now Goodwin Academy - based in Hamilton Road, Deal.

Former Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Sarah Smith had campaigned for the school to remain an education setting before she lost her battle with ovarian cancer aged 52, in October 2016.