Not only is this Near to School unit the only one to be located in a fire station in the country, it is providing a classroom for students from King's Manor School who would otherwise be at risk of expulsion.

The aim is to try and provide a different kind of learning experience for those aged between 11 and 14 whose either don't like school and have attendance problems or those who behaviour means they are near to be excluded.

Jane Williams, the unit's manager, said they had 25 students who attended either the morning and afternoon sessions in the unit which had been fully kitted out in the fire station's old social room.

"The children are also fully involved in life at the fire station. They take part in the Heartstart course, which teaches them first aid and emergency life support, they have tours around the station and watch the firefighters training.

"The fire crews have been great because they provide positive male role models for the kids, many of whom don't have that. In fact some of our students have become so involved they want to join the fire cadets and one even helped resuscitate someone who collapsed using the knowledge he had learned on the Heartstart course.

"The programme is of behaviour training and curriculum based learning. Eventually after a term we try to reintegrate them back into mainstream school."

Shoreham fire station watch manager Jon Simpson said: "When this fire station was downgraded a few years ago, it was decided to turn it into a community station. And this near school unit is just that. It is unique and it really works.

"The crews really get involved with the kids, many of whom would probably be out on the streets if it wasn't for this unit."

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