Council moves forward with plans for two new SEND schools

A council is pressing ahead with £40m plans for two new special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools so children can learn closer to home.

Norfolk County Council has written to the government with plans for schools in Downham Market and Great Yarmouth, rather than pursuing alternative options such as funding places at existing schools.

It said there had been "overwhelming support" for the plans, which form part of its Local First Inclusion programme to enable more children to learn in their local area.

Penny Carpenter, cabinet member for children's services, said: "I know that children and families will really welcome these extra specialist places in their communities."

The Great Yarmouth school will be run by the Unity Trust and will support 170 children with learning disabilities.

In Downham Market, the Eastern Alliance Learning school will cater for 100 children with complex communication and interaction needs, using the former sixth form building at Downham Market Academy's Ryston End site, which closed in 2022.

Carpenter said she was "pleased" to sign the decision and that it had taken "a lot of hard work" to reach this stage.

"The schools mean that more children with special educational needs will be able to learn near to their homes, and that is at the heart of our strategy," she said.

Plans for the schools were first proposed in 2023, but a change of government meant funding was put on hold. Although the council was told in December that the projects could proceed, the Department for Education said it would instead fund more than £13m of additional places in existing schools.

Last month, Carpenter said she was "minded to approve" the new schools pending completion of the formal decision-making process.

Conservative councillor Tony White said: "It is excellent news that we are on our way to getting these schools built.

"The council has pushed hard for this to happen, and parents and children have been waiting and hoping for positive news."

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