Feb 27, 2023, Norfolk Council: Proposal to relocate and expand complex needs school https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/news/2023/02/proposal-to-relocate-and-expand-complex-needs-school
E. England
A Norfolk complex needs school could be relocated and expanded offering 52 additional specialist places for children with SEND, if a scheme proposed by Norfolk County Council goes ahead….
If this land purchase is approved and completed, a planning application would be submitted alongside a planning consultation in Spring this year. The council and school governors would also run a consultation about the proposed changes to the school.
The proposal is for a new bigger school to be built at the site with a complete range of new facilities and an expanded intake to 225 students aged from five to 19. …
The plans are part of the council’s new six-year Local First Inclusion SEND improvement programme, which aims to ensure children and young people can get an education with the right support for their needs in their local area first, whether that’s a special school or well-supported provision within the mainstream.
The programme will see increased outreach support and advice for schools and early help for families and aims to continue to deliver hundreds of new specialist education places through new-build schools, more specialist resource bases (SRBs) and school-led Alternative Provision across the county.
Councillor John Fisher, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “We are delighted to be working on this bold new plan with the Fred Nicholson School to help them expand their already excellent offer to more children and young people with SEND.
“It’s early days, but we’re determined to continue our work to provide more specialist places throughout the county so more children who need specialist provision can access it and flourish in their education.”
Jane Hayman, Executive Headteacher of the Fred Nicholson School, said: “We are delighted at the fantastic opportunity this move could give our young people and the team here – it’s a very exciting prospect.
“We recognise the significant impact the expansion of our school could have on the wider SEND community in Norfolk as we can offer more places to more children from a wider age range….
