A school for children with complex needs could be expanded and moved to a new home in West Norfolk if council plans get approved.
It would see the Fred Nicholson School move from Dereham to a new site on Lynn Road in Swaffham.
The first stage will be for the county council to consider buying the land needed on March 6.
If that gets approve and the purchase happens, a planning application could go in during the Spring.
The idea is for a new bigger school to be built at the site with a complete range of new facilities and an expanded intake to 225 students aged from five to 19. This would mean the school could accommodate reception age through to sixth form age children for the first time. The school’s Orchard Autism Specialist Resource Base (SRB) would also move.
If the proposal goes ahead, the council would continue to arrange travel for home to school in line with its SEND transport policy and would make appropriate arrangements for children with the same transport operator where possible.
The plans are part of the council’s new six-year Local First Inclusion SEND improvement 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.
John Fisher, the county councillor responsible 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.”
Jane Hayman, Executive Headteacher 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
