Special needs schools in Kingston could join together and all become part of one academy.

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust (OHC&AT), which has a site in New Malden, could take in Dysart School, St Philip's School and Bedelsford School, following a consultation due to take place this year.

Principal and chief executive of OHC&AT, Dr Caroline Allen, said: “OHC&AT is delighted that Dysart, Bedelsford and St Philip’s schools have applied to join our family of education providers.

“The consultation leaflets will be available on the individual school websites shortly.”

Kingston Council leader Kevin Davis said the three schools coming together “made sense”.

He added: “I don’t think local authorities should have a role in schools.

“We should get out of schools, there’s too much politics meddling in schools.

“They should be left to get on with it.

“I’m more than happy for them to do it if they feel that it would give them more freedom, more flexibility, to do things that they cannot do under borough control.”

Leigh Edser, headteacher of Dysart School, said: “Dysart is a highly successful school where every child is valued for the contributions they make to our community.

“We have high expectations of and for our pupils and believe that there is no limit to their potential.

“The school has continued to develop and grow over the last few years, with the pupils’ wellbeing, safety, behaviour, progress and attainment remaining at the heart of everything we do.

“However, Dysart must now make sure it aligns itself with the rapidly changing world of education.”

Councillor Andrea Craig, cabinet member with responsibility for schools, said schools joining or forming trusts had become a countrywide trend.

She said: “Dysart, Bedelsford and St Philip’s have understandably decided that this is the best approach for them and propose to join the Orchard Hill College Academy Trust.

“We look forward to welcoming the new multi-Academy Trust to Kingston and to continuing to work very closely with these three excellent schools within the local family of schools.”