A SECONDARY school is launching a DIY appeal to turn an old caretaker’s house into a multi-purpose 'sanctuary' for staff and pupils.

The learning centre at St Alban’s RC High School in Pontypool would promote growth by hosting activities including one-to-one tuition, careers’ advice and workshops.

The hub would become a base for fire rescue training sessions, a drug and alcohol service, parent consultations, school council and head of year meetings.

School inclusion support officer Nathan Daniel, 34, said: “The Sanctuary will be created as a place of learning to emphasise the development of the whole child, as emphasis has shifted so much to academic development, at the expense of social, emotional, and physical development, we often forget how important these key factors are.

“The sanctuary learning centre, provided that we implement it right, can be a perfect place to promote these areas of growth in our young students' place of learning.”

The school is appealing to businesses to come forward to help them transform the house into a learning hub.

Mr Daniel said donations of materials and offers to help with the conversion of the building would be welcome.

The sanctuary could also support young people aged 14 to 19 who are or are at risk of becoming Neets – not in employment, education or training.

The school said the hub would give pupils the chance to be taught discreetly and inclusively either on a one-to-one basis or in small groups to prepare them for inclusion into mainstream school.

The hub would also be a base for the Eco Committee of the school taking the lead on ecology at the school and SkillForce, a charity that works in partnership with schools, drawing upon the skills of predominantly ex-Forces personnel, to inspire young people to succeed.

To get involved, call Mr Daniel at the school on 01495 765 800.