Special needs education could be overhauled in a bid to increase the number of children with moderate learning difficulties in mainstream schools.

A report to Brighton and Hove City Council said special needs education in the city needed to concentrate on children with severe learning difficulties.

On Monday, the city council's children, families and schools committee agreed to consult schools, parents and governors on the proposed changes which include merging two schools and reclassifying two more.

The changes would allow the council to increase the number of children with special needs in mainstream schools in keeping with Government guidelines.

But the city council reassured parents children currently in special schools would not be moved or disrupted.

Under the proposals, Castledean School and Uplands School, both in Lynchet Close, Hollingdean, would merge.

Hillside School and Downs Park School, both in Foredown Road, Portslade, would also merge to cater for pupils with complex learning needs.

Patcham House School in Old London Road would be reclassified as a secondary school for pupils with complex learning needs.

Brighton's Alternative Centre for Education would also be reclassified as a school for pupils with complex needs.

It will continue to take pupils excluded from other schools.

An Education Improvement Partnership would be set up across these schools and Downs View School in Warren Road, Woodingdean, to provide specific services to support special needs children in mainstream schools.

Consultation is expected to take place in the first half of the autumn term and the results will be considered in late November. The target date for implementing any changes is September 2006.

Former assistant director of children, families and schools, Liz Wiley, who wrote the report, said: "We are not about sending pupils out of special needs schools. This is about improving our service for children and their families."

Committee chairwoman Councillor Pat Hawkes said: "We want our services more closely targeted towards the needs of pupils."