Some of the most challenging school pupils in Oxfordshire are looking to improve their reputation by raising money for charity.

Pupils at Northfield School in Blackbird Leys, Oxford - which deals with children with behavioural problems from across the county - have started a project to raise money for charity every term.

And they have already raised nearly £200 for Cancer Research through fundraising activities, including selling hand-made bird tables and biscuits.

Deputy headteacher David Lovell said the initiative was part of efforts to improve the school's standing in the community.

He said: "We have got some cracking kids here and they have worked really hard on this project.

"It is something they decided to do through the school council and they are doing a great job.

"We have around 60 pupils here and most of them have been excluded from at least two schools. But they are determined to show that they are good kids."

Northfield School, in Knights Road, was put on special measures in 2004 following a a poor Ofsted report. Its pupil intake was reduced from 80 to 60.

The following year it was taken off special measures after making what were described as "significant improvements."

Pupils from the school say they want to improve the school's reputation further, and hope their fundraising efforts will help.

Luke Pill, 16, of Hagbourne Road in Didcot, said: "We all thought it would be a good idea to try and change the image of the school. When I started here, the school did have a bit of a reputation. But that has all changed.

"I don't think people realise what a good school it is now.

"Part of that is down to the work we have started doing to raise money. It gets everyone involved and it's fun."

Jacob Powney, 15, from Banbury, said: "Some of the things we have done to raise money involved sport.

"We also had an event where we threw wet sponges at the headteacher and the deputy head.

"Everyone really enjoyed it, and it made us all more respectful. We felt like if we didn't behave we were letting the school down."

The school will continue to hold fundraising events each term, with pupils raising money for other charities.

Mr Lovell said: "The children are really committed to this and want to do their bit to help."