A local MP has backed plans to convert a village house into a "remarkable" new school.

Northleigh House School Ltd has applied for planning permission to convert Oldmill House, off Five Ways Road, into a facility for children who struggle in mainstream education.

The application to Warwick District Council said the Shrewley home would become a school for 35 pupils.

If approved, the new establishment would be near the existing Northleigh House School which has been helping local children for over a decade.

"Permission is sought to change the use of the existing dwelling known as Oldmill House to a school," the application said. 

"The school would be an independent mixed school, of age range 11 to 17 years, seeking to cater for vulnerable pupils who are unable to attend mainstream schools." 

It added: "The school is proposed for a maximum of 35 pupils, and in total approx. 10 full time staff and 15 part time staff. 

"All staff will not be present all of the time, with some part time staff only attending to teach for one day a week."

Plans show there would be few changes to the building, but the entrance would be widened.

MP for Kenilworth and Southam Sir Jeremy Wright has backed the application, applauding the work the school already does locally.

"I know that the school has made a huge difference in the lives of children struggling with mainstream education and in the lives of their families," he wrote. 

"The frustration for the school has always been that the limitations of the site have restricted the number of children they can accommodate at once and so, although I cannot comment on the planning merits of any application being made, the prospect of greater capacity for the school to close to the existing facilities is very welcome. 

"What is offered at Northleigh House is both remarkable and very hard to find anywhere else in the area."

The application said the school has "numerous" enquiries from potential new students and has eight children who could "come tomorrow" if there was space.

It says the district council has 300 children in need of non-mainstream school places.

The application continued: "The proposed new school is fully justified by evidenced need (the current demand vastly exceeds available spaces), by its location in proximity to the existing Northleigh House School and because of its rural environment which is required to meet the special needs to the pupils that attend."

See the full application here.