AN education service on Teesside is celebrating after being rated the best in the country. One of the pupils who epitomises the changes is John, who has become, in educational terms, a reformed character.

Twice expelled from his school, labelled "totally out of control", he has now become a "model pupil".

The transformation has been achieved by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Education Other Than At School Service, now recognised as the most effective in the country.

The service gives 73 per cent of its excluded pupils more than 20 hours a week of alternative tuition - better than any other local authority, according to the Audit Commission's review of statutory performance indicators.

John, not his real name, is proof of the benefits, successful in the service's special youth awards and used as a mentor, helping other children.

The service's headteacher, Enid Thirkell, is thrilled with John's progress and "surprised" at the latest statistical accolade.

She said: "I knew we were doing well, but I had no idea it was that well. However, we haven't finished yet, it's an ongoing process."

The service, which has more than 60 staff throughout the borough, with a base at the Eston Centre, Normanby Road, is aiming to match the government's target of full-time attendance for all excluded pupils by 2002.

Their classrooms are in a converted kitchen and a suite of conventional classrooms at the centre, three more at the Redcar Further Education Centre and bases in youth centres across Redcar and Cleveland.

Initiatives include a link with the Teesside Mohawks basketball team, using two of the US players, who have Stateside teaching experience, to help the children.

Ms Thirkell, who moved to the service two years ago after a 20-year career in conventional classrooms, said: "These children are entitled to statutory full-time education. Once they're excluded, it's a social exclusion, too.

"We have enormous barriers to overcome - some children cannot read or write - but we've had some tremendous successes.

"We have a youth award scheme, with bronze, silver and gold awards, which reward project work over a period of weeks.