Specially-designed rooms and an outdoor play area will help autistic children attend Denholme Primary School.

The new facilities were provided so that a small number of children on the autistic spectrum could attend a mainstream school.

They can mix with other children of the same age in class and benefit from the expertise of staff.

But they can retreat to the modified environment when they need time away from the busy environment. Malcolm Campbell, the school head, said the new rooms and secure outdoor area were proving useful.

He said: “They have helped the children with autism to make progress and, because they are feeling more secure, to spend more time in mainstream classes.”

He said the outdoor area was proving very popular with all pupils because it gave them a fantastic new area for learning and play.