Pupils at Nyland School may suffer from emotional, behavioural and associated learning difficulties, but they are nonetheless a happy group.

It is another organisation eager to benefit from our Christmas toy appeal, run in conjunction with Swindon Rotary Club.

The school, which is based in Nyland Road, Nythe, currently has 34 pupils aged between six and 11, whose difficulties range from autism to dyslexia.

Colin Jones has been a senior teacher at the school for one year and describes his job as challenging but very rewarding.

Mr Jones, 41, said: "Our ultimate aim here is to reintegrate the children into mainstream school. We tend to build up their confidence at first and then start to teach them.

"A lot of pupils come here with low self-esteem if they have been labelled a trouble-maker at their previous schools. It is incredibly rewarding when we can put them back on track."

One pupil who is certainly on the right track is the school's only female student, Izasha Lanfear.

The eight-year-old has been attending Nyland for two years and spends three days a week at a mainstream school.

Izasha said: "I love maths and also playing dinosaur games on the computer. I dressed up in fancy dress this morning, which was good fun.

"I really like Barbie and also playing with Lego. I like making things from all the little bits."

Christopher Williams is another success story. The 10-year-old has improved his reading and spelling skills in just two months following lessons in the toe-by-toe phonics manual.

Mr Jones explained: "It uses letter blends which gradually increase as the manual progresses. They cost £27 but are well worth it.

"Christopher's reading age has improved by nine months and his spelling age is up by a year."

Sharon Blackburn and Fiona Prinzi are learning support assistants, who work alongside the nine teachers, offering advice and support to the children.

Miss Blackburn, 21, started working at the school in June.

She said: "Working here is a challenge. It makes a difference to how you feel about yourself. If the children are happy or sad it affects your own feelings. It's very worthwhile."

Last year pupils were thrilled to be included in the toy appeal. This year they would be grateful for educational items such as construction kits, Lego and puzzles.