A SCHOOL for children with special educational needs will be officially opened today.

MP Nick Brown will unveil a plaque at Sir Charles Parsons School, in Newcastle - which caters for children aged 11 to 19, who have severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties.

Headteacher John Preston said: "We are delighted with our new facilities which have been upgraded and it is a massive improvement to have everyone together on a single site."

Sir Charles Parsons School was one of four special schools created by Newcastle City Council during its reorganisation of the special needs education provision, introduced last September.

Refurbishment of the former Walkerdene School has cost about £750,000, and involved providing an extra lift, widening access around the building and providing ramps