The school takes children with learning and behavioural problems

Norfolk County Council has withdrawn 38 children from Norfolk from a special school until a police and social services investigation is completed.

Banham Marshalls College near Diss in Norfolk, caters for 113 children with a range of special educational needs.

The council says it is concerned that some members of staff who were suspended last term when the investigation began, are now back at work.

It is also unhappy that an interim management team is no longer responsible for running the school.

Alternative teaching provision is being organised for the children concerned.

A joint statement from Dr Bryan Slater, director of Norfolk Education and Lisa Christensen, director of social services, said the decision had not been taken lightly.

"We have discussed the matter with Norfolk Police and the National Care Standards Commission and recognise that removing children from Banham Marshalls will cause other difficulties."

School inspected in January

Norfolk Social Services department has been carrying out inquiries at the school following an inspection in January by the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC).

The NCSC had become "concerned that some practices were not appropriate."

Norfolk Police have been carrying out their own investigation at the school.

Pupils, who are aged from six to 18, have been placed in the school from Suffolk and other parts of the country.