A SERVICE supporting under-achieving primary school children is helping to bridge the gap between special needs learning and mainstream education.The Ashley Outreach Service gives advice, help and resources to youngsters across Lowestoft who are functioning at a level significantly below what is expected of their age, but are not in a school for learning difficulties.

A SERVICE supporting under-achieving primary school children is helping to bridge the gap between special needs learning and mainstream education.

The Ashley Outreach Service gives advice, help and resources to youngsters across Lowestoft who are functioning at a level significantly below what is expected of their age, but are not in a school for learning difficulties.

Although the service has operated for barely two years, its success in helping many children to stay in main-stream schools is leading to outreach being made available to children of middle school age.

Led by coordinator Sheila Perry and learning support assistant Julie Broxup, the service is based at the Ashley School, in Ashley Downs, although both members of the team are currently working with pupils at seven other primary schools in the north of the town.

Children are guided through four terms at school and parents are given a weekly report detailing their progress.

At the moment 12 children, spread between Poplars, Northfield St Nicholas, St Margarets, Roman Hill, Corton, Somerleyton and Gunton Primary Schools all receive support.

And with a proven formula, only three of all the children who have entered into the scheme have transferred to the Ashley School.

Applications for help are initially made to Robert Smith, special needs adviser at Adrian House, in Lowestoft, with the information passed to Miss Perry who must decide along with the Ashley panel, which children have the greatest need.

The service, which currently serves children between four and seven is being extended to include children between the ages of seven and 11 who need extra support with a new key stage two adviser, yet to be appointed.

For more information about the outreach service, call 01502 565439 and ask for extension 212.