Plans for thousands of new school places in Norfolk revealed
More than a dozen new primary schools could be needed
Last updated 1st Feb 2022
Thousands of new school places, and possibly dozens of new primary schools, could be needed in Norfolk within the next decade, to help meet the demand of a growing population.
Norfolk County Council's Cabinet has been hearing about the scale of school development that is likely to be needed to support the county's growing communities.
The plans focus on both demographic changes and population growth from new housing.
It provides a snapshot of the council's plans to ensure there are sufficient school places for Norfolk children aged four to 16.
The authority expects to secure nearly £100m in developer contributions for the proposed new and extended schools but if all the places are needed, a further £191m would need to be found.
It says some of that will be met by Community Infrastructure Levy and Government grant contributions.
Cllr John Fisher, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Norfolk County Council, said: “As a council we’ve secured thousands of new school places in the last decade, with state-of-the-art schools already open in many of our growing communities.
“We want all children to have access to a good education near to their homes, so we will continue to work with our district council colleagues to secure land and funding for school places, as more communities grow.”
New schools could be built and opened in Wymondham and Cringleford by 2024, with further primary schools likely to be needed later in Thetford, Attleborough, Bradwell, West Winch, North Runcton, Blofield, Poringland, Long Stratton and Hellesdon.
A new secondary school and primary provision is also likely to be needed in the north Norwich growth triangle (Sprowston, Old Catton and Rackheath).
Expansion of existing schools is also likely in areas of growth, as part of the county council’s responsibility to ensure there are sufficient school places in the county. Moving or rebuilding existing schools is also being considered in some parts of the county.