Norfolk complex needs school may be expanded to welcome over 50 more pupils
If the scheme goes ahead, it would mean the school could accommodate children from reception to sixth form for the first time
A Norfolk complex needs school could be relocated and expanded to enable more than 50 more children to attend.
Plans to move the Fred Nicholson Complex Needs School in Dereham to a new site in Swaffham have been proposed by the county council - who are looking into buying the required land.
If the scheme goes ahead, it would mean the school could accommodate reception age through to sixth form age children for the first time.
What happens now?
The first stage of the proposal to move the Fred Nicholson Complex Needs School in Westfield Road, Dereham to a new site in Lynn Road, Swaffham, will happen on Monday 6th March when the council’s cabinet will decide whether to go ahead and buy the required land.
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 plans
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 school's Orchard Autism Specialist Resource Base (SRB) would also move.
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 within the mainstream school system.
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.
“Our aim is always to provide the best possible specialist education for all our children and young people, to build for successful futures and flourish towards independence.”
If approved, the new school could open in 2025.