Norfolk County Council has said it will press ahead with building the facilities in Downham Market and Great Yarmouth which will support 270 children.

The schools will be led by Unity Trust, in Great Yarmouth, and Eastern Learning Alliance, in Downham Market.

Penny Carpenter, cabinet member for children’s services at Norfolk County Council, said: "The schools mean that more children with special educational needs will be able to learn near to their homes and that is at the heart of our strategy to improve learning for children with additional needs.

“We know that most children can flourish in mainstream schools, with the right support, but for those with more complex needs there is still a need for specialist places like these.”

Terry Jermy, MP for South West Norfolk, praised the move.

He said: "For too long, West Norfolk has suffered from a lack of SEND support, leaving children having to either travel huge distances to access an education, or stuck in an entirely unsuitable setting that doesn’t meet their specific needs, or not accessing an education at all. Today’s announcement will change that. "

© Eastern Daily Press