A total of 86 new specialist education places are being proposed at six mainstream schools in Norfolk thanks to the county council’s £120 million SEND transformation programme.

Six consultations have opened for the views of parents, professionals, and residents. If agreed, the proposals would see three brand new Specialist Resource Base (SRB) classrooms built on three school sites and existing SRBs at a further three schools increasing their capacity for more children and young people.

The new places, which will be for primary and secondary age children and young people, are in addition to 30 new places agreed earlier this year – bringing the total number of new SRB places provided by the council’s transformation programme to 116 this year.

Corvus Education Trust is consulting over a proposal for a new 16-place social emotional and mental health (SEMH) base at Watton Westfield Infant and Nursery School and Watton Junior School. If agreed, the plan would be to locate the new building behind Watton Junior School within the school grounds. Click here for the Watton consultation.

Cllr Daniel Elmer, deputy cabinet member for Children’s Services, 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.”

Views on the consultations at Watton can be submitted until Monday 10 October.