Approval has been granted to create an additional 44 special educational needs (SEN) places across Hampshire with an investment of £2.4 million.

With the approval, work will focus on refurbishment, modular building installation, and conversion of county council offices into SEN classes.

Hampshire County Council has been given to spend £2,4 million to continue to expand its in-house SEN provision due to the high demand across the county.

Three schools, Hollywater Special School in Mill Chase Rd, Bordon, Velmead Junior School in Flee and Bartley Church of England Junior School in Bartley, will form part of the proposal that will create an additional 44 spaces for children with disabilities and emotional and mental health needs.

Hollywater Special School in Mill Chase Rd, Bordon, currently provides places for 143 pupils with learning difficulties between 4 and 19-years-old.

The £1m proposal implies installing a new double modular building and adapting and refurbishing some existing accommodation to provide two additional classrooms.

The plan will enable the school to accommodate 10 additional pupils in 2025/26 and 10 additional pupils in 2026/27 academic years.

At Velmead Junior School in Fleet, £650,000 will be invested in installing a new modular building to provide provision for up to 12 pupils with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).

Bartley Church of England Junior School in Bartley, which currently provides education for up to 356 pupils between 7 and 11 years old, will see the conversion of a former county council office space located at the school into two classes, supporting accommodation and an external enclosed play space.

With a cost of £750,000,  this modification will provide an additional 12 places for pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

Cabinet member for education, Cllr Steve Forster, approved the projects on his decision day (April 22).