Parents of pupils at Keighley’s newest special school have set up a support group.

The Friends of Phoenix School will raise money for school equipment and an adapted minibus.

They will also provide support for parents and carers and run holiday playschemes and children’s events like discos.

Phoenix School opened last April in Braithwaite, on the same site as the new Merlin Top Primary School.

It serves children aged under 11 with special needs, who previously attended Branshaw and Braithwaite special schools. The Friends held a Christmas fair to raise more than £917 to buy floats and toys for the school’s hydrotherapy pool.

They raised around £400 with a fancy dress disco to fund two play sessions in school during the February half-term.

Coming up on February 12 is a concert with the band Nightflyers.

Naomi Heseltine, the Friends’ fundraising secretary, said there was a major shortage of equipment even though Phoenix was a new school.

She said: “It was all left at the Braithwaite and Branshaw sites when the children moved. We have also lost the adapted minibus as it was needed for the other sites. Although we do have a minibus, it means those with serious mobility problems are unable to enjoy out-of-school activities which are vital for their education and learning life and social skills.”

Naomi said the Friends also wanted to address a lack of support for parents and carers regarding educational matters for their children.

She said: “We have set up an informal support and information group for parents and carers to come to us for advice and support and to act as a go-between for the parents and teachers or admin staff.”

The Nightflyers concert will be from 8pm, in the Kingfisher Centre, next to the school. Tickets cost £5 through the school, from Jason Patefield on (01535) 607038. Donations of raffle prizes are being requested.