A SCHOOL has defended the majority of its pupils against accusations that they are intimidating people living nearby.

Neighbours of Eastbourne Comprehensive School, in Darlington, say they have contacted the school about the problem, but nothing has been done to curb the bad behaviour of a minority of its pupils.

One mother-of-two, who lives in the area, said: "Almost daily there are fights, and if you are out when the school is kicking out you feel intimidated by the masses of children hanging about.

"Sometimes you have to walk on the road to get past them.

"There are copious amounts of litter in our front gardens, and fences and trees have been vandalised.

"Although teachers sometimes stand at the gates, they don't seem able to control them.

"I am not a moaning minnie and am only 29 years old, but when I went to school there were teachers patrolling residential areas to make sure we behaved and if we didn't our parents were told. Being here really is a living hell."

She went on to say she had only lived in the area for 18 months and was shocked by the behaviour of pupils that she witnessed every day.

She said: "Everyone around here feels the same, but some people have given up complaining.

"I have complained and the school asked me if I could identify the culprits. What am I meant to do, ask them their names?"

But deputy headteacher Karen Pemberton defended the majority of the school's 850 pupils.

She said: "Eastbourne school is an improving school and a school that is very much on the up.

"I would ask anyone who has a complaint to contact the school and we will do our best to sort it out.

"We understand that all our pupils leave the school from the same entrance, and that can be intimidating for those not used to children and their noise, but it only lasts ten to 15 minutes and then they move on, and there are always teachers on the gate.

"The vast majority of pupils do not drop litter, do not misbehave and are respectful at all times but, like all schools, we have a handful of children that do not behave and we want to be told if residents have complaints."