Parents and children of a Hampton special needs school which will close in August face an uncertain future, as a new site has not yet been decided.

The Newhouse Centre, in Buckingham Road, Hampton, provides education for nine children between the ages of 11 and 16 with ‘behaviour, emotional and social development needs’, with provision for up to 15.

No new children have joined the school in the last two years.

However, last month Richmond council declared its building ‘not suitable for children with behavioural needs’, deciding to close the school.

With opposition Liberal Democrat councillors calling for the existing school places to remain, the cabinet member for children’s services and schools has pledged all current students will not have their provision discontinued.

Councillor Paul Hodgins also said consultation over the new site would continue with parents of the current pupils.

Cllr Hodgins said: “Over the next few weeks we will be having further conversations with parents and staff but I am pleased that we seem to have an agreed way forward that focuses on retaining the core elements of Newhouse that both students and parents are particularly keen to preserve.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Penny Frost had previously described the need to preserve the school places as ‘unquestionably vital’.