School for pupils with learning difficulties is being transformed as part of an overhaul of special school provision in Oxfordshire.

Woodeaton Manor School, which is currently a day special school for pupils with moderate learning difficulties, will become a school for pupils with emotional and social difficulties.

Up to 17 residential places will be available for pupils at the school and there will be facilities to provide a therapeutic approach to learning.

Three special schools in Oxfordshire -- Woodeaton, Northfield and Iffley Mead, were threatened with closure for two years for cost-cutting reasons until Oxfordshire County Council decided on alternative measures to streamline special school provision earlier this year.

The council has now finalised plans to reinvent the Oxford school which is based in a Grade II-listed building in the village of Woodeaton.

Iffley Mead will continue as a school for up to 119 pupils from across Oxfordshire with moderate learning difficulties.

Northfield School in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, will no longer be the only school in Oxfordshire catering for pupils with emotional, social and behavioural problems.

It was placed on special measures last month following an unsatisfactory report by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).

"Considerable pressures" faced by staff at the school were blamed for the serious weaknesses in teaching and the very difficult behaviour of pupils witnessed by inspectors during their visit.

The shake-up of special school services will involve reducing the number of pupils at Northfield from 80 to 60 to alleviate pressure on staff.

Tony Crabbe, executive member for schools, said: "The decision to re-organise was taken after extensive and rigorous consultation with various groups involved including local communities, staff, parents, governors and headteachers.

"It means provision for pupils in Oxfordshire with emotional, social and behavioural difficulties will increase.