A TINY village primary school closed last summer to save money is re-opening as a centre for pupils temporarily excluded from mainstream education.

The former Blagdon Hill Primary School will take up to 12 children aged seven to 14 “experiencing difficulties in their education due to emotional and behavioural reasons”.

The Deane Discovery Centre, currently based in Bridgwater, will relocate in September.

Locals can learn more information at an open afternoon there next Wednesday from 2pm to 6pm.

Builders will spend the summer renovating the premises, which will also be available for evening community use.

A Somerset County Council spokesman said: “The centre provides personalised learning programmes for young people who live in the Taunton Deane area, but, owing to the lack of a suitable site within the area, have had to be transported to Bridgwater every day.

“The Deane Discovery Centre is a ‘short stay school’ that provides education to young people who require alternative education provision but will eventually return to mainstream schools.

“Most attendees are dual registered with the school they usually attend.”

Neighbour Chris Ley said: “I’m pleased because it makes good use of a school which would otherwise deteriorate, with the associated costs.

“It’s good that these children will have somewhere where they can get more support to encourage them into mainstream education.”

Pitminster Parish Council chairman Dr David Edmondson said: “Whilst we weren’t party to this decision, we’ve had good discussions since and are very hopeful there will be real co-operation leading to the school becoming a useful community facility.”