Students with special needs in 265 NSW public schools will be better supported in the classroom with the launch of a program this term to provide and train specialist teachers.

The school learning support coordinators will work in 40 communities of schools throughout the state, to assist teachers in developing learning plans for students with special needs.

Department director of disability programs Brian Smyth King said the school learning support coordinators would provide “just in time” support for students with complex additional learning needs and provide critical professional support to teachers.

“They will work in the classroom with teachers and students so that when additional learning needs are identified, there is someone there at the school to draw on about what’s going to work best for those students,” Mr Smyth King said.

“The school learning support coordinators will come from within the community of schools and be recognised for their expertise, the quality of their teaching and their professional credibility.”

The State Government announced the creation of the specialist teachers in the NSW mini-Budget last term.

Under the plan, more than $33 million will be spent over four years establishing and training the new coordinators.

Mr Smyth King said every school learning support coordinator would receive 110 hours of accredited training in the areas of curriculum access, planning and outcomes, autism spectrum disorders, learning difficulties such as dyslexia, language and communication needs, behaviour and motor coordination difficulties.

He said the training, which started this term, would be provided by the department through online tutorials.

NSW education minister Verity Firth said the additional support would “be a much-needed boost for teachers who are trying to balance the needs of their entire class”.

“These specialist teachers will work with classroom teachers to develop learning plans that support each student’s specific learning needs, expectations and progress,” Ms Firth said.

“They can also help coordinate services from other agencies like physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychologists and social workers,” Ms Firth said.

Among the mini-Budget announcements was $150 million of extra funding for minor capital works projects.

The funding will be used to complete 500 projects, nominated by school principals, over the next two years.

Projects earmarked for completion include re-roofing, toilet and sewerage upgrades and the installation of 36 security fences.

The Priority Action Schools program has also been expanded to include an additional 27 schools.