Young people with learning difficulties celebrated plans to expand their special needs school when they paid a special visit to 10 Downing Street yesterday.

More than 100 people supported by Jewish special needs charity Kisharon and its trustees were invited to a reception in Westminster with the Prime Minister’s wife Samantha Cameron.

Addressing the group and Mrs Cameron, chief executive of the charity Dr Beverley Jacobson and chairman Phillip Goldberg shared the news about plans to expand Kisharon Day School.

Dr Jacobson said: “I am delighted to share our exciting news that we have purchased additional premises adjoining our school in Golders Green with a view to construction of a state-of-the-art special educational needs school for young people aged four to 19. 

“This project is in its infancy and is ahead of a consultation process or getting planning permission, it is the start of a dream.”

Dr Jacobson’s daughter Talya, now 19, caught meningitis at birth which resulted in brain damage and cerebral palsy, and she is visually impaired.

Dr Jacobson added: “Our ethos is to concentrate on what people with learning difficulties can do as Talya’s story so ably demonstrates. Talya is not here tonight because she is in Manchester where she is a student and living in supported accommodation. 

“It is our belief that the people we support can best be integrated into the communities in which they live by respecting and encouraging their independence and choices.

“Our drive is to ensure that individuals with learning difficulties, no matter how severe, will ultimately live their lives which mirror, as closely as possible, those of their mainstream peers.”