Kingston is set to receive a £1 million investment to increase the number of school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Members of the council’s treasury committee unanimously agreed to finance projects at St Philips and Hollyfield schools.

St Philip’s, a special school in Chessington for children and young people who have moderate learning difficulties, will receive £570,000 for a new building.

Subject to planning permission, this will facilitate 32 spaces for children across Years 5 and 6.

With a cash injection of £440,000, Surbiton’s Hollyfield School will help meet the need for additional secondary-phase school places for children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and complex needs.

Hollyfield will be able to accommodate 20 children with these funds.

Councillor Richard Hudson, Kingston Council’s portfolio holder for schools and special educational needs, said: “We want all children and young people in Kingston to lead happy, healthy and independent lives, therefore it's imperative that we increase the capacity and range of local, state-funded SEND school provision within the borough.

“Expecting children with special educational needs to travel out of borough places undue stress on them and their families, which can impact their wellbeing.

“Children that are educated in their local community, where they feel safe, confident and supported, are more likely to achieve their full potential.”

The council is exploring three ways to increase provision for SEN children- more places in mainstream schools, more specialist resource provisions based in mainstream schools and more special school places.

The full list of proposals will be subject to consultation in March.