Norfolk County Council proposes to move Fred Nicholson Complex Needs School from Dereham to Swaffham in bid to support more West Norfolk children

A complex needs school could be re-located and expanded if a county council scheme is given the green light.

The first phase of a proposal to move the Fred Nicholson Complex Needs School from Westfield Road, Dereham to a new site at Lynn Road, Swaffham, will kick off next Monday (March 6) when Norfolk County Council’s cabinet decides whether to buy the required land.

If the land is purchased, a planning application would be submitted to coincide with a planning consultation in the spring.

The move aims to offer 52 new specialist places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Councillors and school governors would also run a consultation about the proposed changes to the school.

The proposal is for a new, larger school to be built at the Swaffham site with a range of new facilities and an expanded intake of 225 students aged 5-19.

This would mean the school could accommodate children from reception age through to sixth form for the first time. The school's Orchard Autism Specialist Resource Base (SRB) would also move.

If approved, the new school could open in 2025.

The distance between the two sites is a 20-minute drive along the A47.

Cllr 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.”

The plans are part of the council’s new six-year Local First Inclusion SEND 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 well-supported provision within the mainstream".

The programme could see increased outreach support and advice for schools and early help for families.

Jane Hayman, executive head teacher 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.”

Cllr Fabian Eagle, county councillor for The Brecks, added: “The proposed site is easily accessible from the A47 and, Swaffham being the heart of a rural area, this new school will provide a welcome boost to the education facilities for the villages around Swaffham and West Norfolk.”

The Fred Nicholson school is currently rated as "good" by education watchdog Ofsted. Some of its accommodation has significantly aged, and councillors say there is "limited opportunity for expanding the school buildings on the current site".

If plans to move go ahead, the council would continue to arrange travel from home to school in line with its SEND transport policy - and would make appropriate arrangements for children with the same transport operator where possible.