86 new places for children with special educational needs to be created across Norfolk
Spaces would be offered at six mainstream schools across the county, under the plan
86 new places for children with special educational needs could be created at six mainstream schools across Norfolk, under new plans.
Locals are now being consulted on the proposals from Norfolk County Council, which would see new specialist classrooms being built at three local primary and secondary schools, with classrooms already based at three school sites being expanded.
The new places are in addtional to 30 new places already agreed earlier this year, meaning there are now 116 new school spaces across the county for young people who need additional support in their learning.
The Wensum Trust is looking at plans to built two 25 place classrooms for young people with autism at the Acle Academy and the Alderman Peel High School in Wells-next-the-Sea.
There are also plans for a 16 place emotional support and mental health unit at the Watton Westfield Infant and Nursery School and Watton Junior School.
The Inspiration Trust, which runs the Charles Darwin Primary in Norwich alongside four other primaries and eight secondaries, is looking to provide an additional 20 places at its existing autism bases.
Councillor Daniel Elmer, who works on children's services at Norfolk County Council, said: “It’s excellent to see the momentum with which we have been able to support the provision of new special education places at mainstream schools across the county.
“In just a matter of months we have seen proposals for 116 much-needed new places for children of a range of ages and a variety of needs thanks to partnerships between the county council, schools, and education trusts.
“I hope this increased capacity at multiple locations across Norfolk will make a real difference to children and young people with SEND and their families.”