Hampshire County Council has been awarded funding from the Department for Education (DfE) for a new additional needs-focused school, supporting more Hampshire children with special educational needs.

The school, subject to further approval, will offer 125 places for children between eight to 16.

The news follows the council's plan for two additional special schools - one in Whiteley, backed by DfE funding, and another in Eastleigh's Boorley Gardens, funded via the council's Children's Services Capital Programme.

The DfE has chosen Solent Academies Trust for both institutions' sponsorship. A search for the third school’s sponsor is pending.

Cllr Steve Forster, the county’s cabinet member for education, said: "The County Council has a statutory duty to ensure all children can access high-quality education, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We remain committed to further developing this across the county to respond to growing demand, creating much needed additional SEND school places.

"We are delighted that our application for a new special school in Hampshire has been provisionally approved by the DfE and we will be working closely with the department to progress this through the next steps in the process, including determining a suitable location and timeframes."