A new service to support schoolchildren with emotional and behavioural difficulties will be launched in September.

The Brighton and Hove Alternative Centre for Education will be based at Queensdown School in Lewes Road, Brighton.

There will be a rapid response unit for disruptive pupils who are in danger of being expelled.

The service draws together the specialist facilities provided through St George's House, a pupil referral unit and tutorial support service in Dyke Road, and Queensdown School.

Mark Whitby, from Bournemouth, is to be the head teacher, with two staff members from St George's House, Chris Walsh and Phil Morgan, becoming primary and secondary head teachers respectively.

Coun Pat Hawkes, the chair of governors at the new school and lead councillor for school effectiveness at Brighton and Hove Council, said: "We now have an excellent management team in place.

"We are confident this service will become a beacon of good practice."

The new service will include:

Training and support to mainstream schools where there are pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

A rapid response service for pupils at risk of being excluded from school.

Specialist units for primary age pupils.

Full time specialist day provision for excluded pupils.

The proposals for the Alternative Centre for Education were drawn up by a local action group of head teachers, teachers, governors, parents, council officers, including those from social services, and health service representatives.