Plans submitted for new special school in Swaffham to meet 'growing demand'
Norfolk County Council wants to more Dereham's Fred Nicholson School from its current home to an expanded site in Lynn Road in Swaffham.
Plans have been submitted for a brand new special school in Norfolk, to meet growing demand in the county.
Norfolk County Council wants to more Dereham's Fred Nicholson School from its current home to an expanded site in Lynn Road in Swaffham.
It would see the number of pupils able to attend increase from 173 to 225 from Apirl 2025, with the school also being able to offer places to sixth form students for the first time.
The school is said to have 'outgrown' its current site, but the move will be put to a public consultation before a final decision on the plans is made.
Councillor Penny Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Norfolk County Council, said: “We want every child with special educational needs to flourish, whether that’s in mainstream schools or specialist schools like Fred Nicholson.
“Growing demand for places means that Fred Nicholson has completely outgrown its current building and the school needs to move, so that it can continue to provide the brilliant education it offers its children.
“It’s just one of the projects we’re investing in for children with SEND – we’re supporting mainstream schools so that they can help children earlier, investing in our own teams and building hundreds of new specialist places.”
Jane Hayman, 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.”