Police and social workers who work with young offenders are to run a school for children with behavioural problems, the Government announced yesterday. It is thought to be the first time that crime prevention officers have become managers of a school.

The Sheffield Youth Offending Team – made up of workers from the police, probation and social services, drugs and alcohol specialists, and housing officers – has jointly set up a trust to manage Heritage Park Community School in the city. The school opened in 2005 and caters for 90 pupils aged 7 to 16. All of the children have been permanently excluded from other schools.

John Hill, who is head teacher at Heritage Park, said: “Sheffield Youth Offending was already working with up to 30 per cent of our pupils. Now they will provide support programmes in school and work with youngsters known to be at risk of offending. They will teach right from wrong and give anger management classes.”

The project is being run in partnership with Barnado’s, the children’s charity. The Government is trying to encourage organisations to set up charitable trusts to run schools. Until now most partners have been universities or large businesses.

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