Sprowston Junior School has secured approval to build a new single-storey SEND facility offering 16 additional places, part of Norfolk County Council’s £120 million Local First Inclusion programme to expand specialist support within mainstream schools across the county.
Sprowston Junior School has secured approval from Norfolk County Council for the construction of a new standalone building aimed at enhancing educational facilities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This new single-storey structure, located on Recreation Ground Road, is set to provide 16 additional places as part of a broader strategy to integrate SEND provisions within mainstream schools.
The initiative is particularly significant as it addresses the growing demand for such facilities. According to County Hall officers, the proposed Specialist Hub of Inclusive Practices will enable students with co-occurring special educational needs to receive education in an inclusive environment, benefiting from high staff-to-student ratios, small group interventions, and specialist approaches grounded in evidence-based practices. As part of the development, an existing disused building on the school premises will be demolished to accommodate the new facility.
The move is consistent with Norfolk County Council’s broader plan to establish multiple similar hubs across the region. In a demonstration of its commitment to enhancing local educational provision, the council has outlined intentions to roll out a total of 76 new SEND places across various schools, including Sprowston Junior School. This effort is encapsulated in the Local First Inclusion programme, which seeks to offer more support to SEND students within mainstream educational frameworks.
While Sprowston Junior School’s plans are on track, other proposals within the county have encountered delays. Notably, the development of a similar initiative at Holly Meadows School, near King’s Lynn, was postponed due to the need for further revisions after the discovery of newt DNA on site. Such challenges highlight the complexities involved in expanding educational facilities, particularly those designed to serve vulnerable populations.
Earlier initiatives in the area have also sought to enhance SEND provisions. For instance, Sprowston Infant School has announced plans to increase the capacity of its Specialist Resource Base, responding to the rising demand for such services. This effort is part of a much larger £120 million investment by the council, which aims to transform SEND education across Norfolk, addressing key challenges such as the reliance on out-of-county placements.
Beyond Sprowston, the council is also advocating for the establishment of new Specialist Resource Bases at schools including Falcon Junior School, indicating a concerted effort to bolster educational support for SEND children throughout the community. Furthermore, the ongoing SEND transformation programme, which has already created numerous new educational spaces, is designed to ensure that all children, regardless of their needs, have equitable access to high-quality education within their local area.
As these initiatives unfold, the local community can anticipate a significant shift towards more inclusive educational practices, promising enhanced opportunities for SEND students—not only in Sprowston but throughout Norfolk.
Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/25221269.norwich-school-gets-go-ahead-build-new-extension/?ref=rss – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/article/62828/76-additional-school-places-for-children-with-SEND-across-Norfolk – Norfolk County Council has approved plans to create 76 additional spaces for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in mainstream schools across the county. This initiative is part of the Local First Inclusion (LFI) programme, aiming to enhance support for SEND students within mainstream education. The new provisions include Specialist Hubs of Inclusive Practice (SHIPs) at various schools, such as Redcastle Family School, Lionwood Infant and Junior Schools, Falcon Junior School, and Sprowston Junior School, which will expand to a 16-place provision. These developments are set to be operational from September 2024, with the goal of providing children with co-occurring special educational needs and disabilities access to high staff ratios, small group provision, and specialist, evidence-informed interventions within mainstream settings. The programme reflects the council’s commitment to improving educational opportunities for SEND students and ensuring they can flourish in inclusive environments.
- https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/education/20769436.school-reveals-expansion-plans-complex-needs-unit/ – Sprowston Infant School has unveiled plans to nearly double the size of its Specialist Resource Base (SRB) for children with special educational needs. Norfolk County Council proposes increasing the SRB capacity from 10 to 18 places, effective from February 1, 2020. This expansion aims to address the growing demand for specialist provision in the area, as the existing SRB has been operating at full capacity for the past five years. The council intends to utilise teaching space at the adjacent children’s centre to accommodate the expanded SRB. This initiative is part of a broader £120 million investment by the council to enhance special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision across Norfolk, which includes providing an additional 170 SRB places in mainstream schools.
- https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/23613619.norwich-two-sprowston-schools-receive-new-send-places/ – Norfolk County Council has submitted plans to establish new Specialist Resource Bases (SRBs) at two Sprowston schools to provide additional places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The proposal includes an eight-place SRB at Falcon Junior School and a 16-place SRB at Sprowston Junior School, both for Key Stage Two pupils. If approved, the Falcon Junior School base would open on September 1, 2024, and the Sprowston Junior School base on September 1, 2025. These developments are part of the council’s Local First Inclusion programme, aiming to increase specialist SEND provision within mainstream schools and reduce the need for out-of-county placements. The SRBs will offer children the opportunity to be educated within mainstream schools while benefiting from specialist support and interventions.
- https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23608236.norfolk-county-council-add-units-six-primary-schools/ – Norfolk County Council has unveiled plans to add new Specialist Resource Bases (SRBs) to six primary schools across the county, creating over 80 additional places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The proposed SRBs include an eight-place intervention base at Falcon Junior School and a 16-place intervention base at Sprowston Junior School, both in Norwich. Other planned SRBs are at Redcastle Family School in Thetford, Holly Meadows Primary in King’s Lynn, Newton VA Primary in Swaffham, and St William’s Primary in Norwich. These initiatives are part of the council’s £70 million investment to improve SEND provision in Norfolk, aiming to provide more local specialist education places and reduce the need for out-of-county placements. The new SRBs are expected to open between February and September 2025, depending on the school.
- https://www.schools.norfolk.gov.uk/article/29397/2024-changes – Norfolk County Council has announced several changes to school provisions for 2024, including the establishment of new Specialist Resource Bases (SRBs) at various schools. Notably, Falcon Junior School in Norwich is set to receive an eight-place additional intervention base from September 1, 2024. Additionally, Sprowston Infant School will increase the capacity of its Complex Needs SRB from 18 to 26 places, effective from February 1, 2024. These changes are part of the council’s ongoing efforts to enhance special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision across Norfolk, ensuring that children with SEND have access to appropriate support within mainstream educational settings.
- https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/44004 – Norfolk County Council’s £120 million SEND transformation programme has successfully provided 247 new special education places, with plans for an additional 278 before the programme concludes. The initiative aims to improve inclusion in mainstream schools and deliver 500 new specialist places, including new-build special schools and expansions of existing schools. Recent developments include the opening of the Duke of Lancaster School in Fakenham for children with autism, Bure Park Specialist Academy in Great Yarmouth for boys with social, emotional, and mental health needs, and the planned relocation and expansion of the Fred Nicholson Complex Needs School in Dereham. The programme also includes the establishment of 11 new SRBs within mainstream schools, offering a combined total of 138 new special education places.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative reports that Sprowston Junior School has secured approval from Norfolk County Council for a new building to enhance facilities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This aligns with Norfolk County Council’s announcement on 8 October 2024 regarding the creation of 76 additional SEND places across various schools, including Sprowston Junior School. ([norfolk.gov.uk](https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/article/62828/76-additional-school-places-for-children-with-SEND-across-Norfolk?utm_source=openai)) The approval mentioned in the narrative is consistent with this plan, indicating that the information is current and not recycled.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from County Hall officers and a parent of a student at Sprowston Junior School. A search for these specific quotes did not yield earlier instances, suggesting they are original to this report. However, similar sentiments about the importance of inclusive education and the benefits of Specialist Hubs of Inclusive Practice have been expressed in previous communications from Norfolk County Council. ([norfolk.gov.uk](https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/article/62828/76-additional-school-places-for-children-with-SEND-across-Norfolk?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Eastern Daily Press, a reputable regional newspaper in Norfolk. The information aligns with official statements from Norfolk County Council, enhancing the credibility of the report.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative’s claims about the approval for a new SEND facility at Sprowston Junior School are plausible and consistent with Norfolk County Council’s ongoing efforts to expand SEND provisions. The mention of a disused building being demolished to accommodate the new facility is a common practice in such developments. The tone and language used are appropriate for a news report, and there are no signs of sensationalism or inconsistencies.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative provides current and original information about Sprowston Junior School’s new SEND facility, supported by credible sources and consistent with official plans from Norfolk County Council. There are no significant issues with freshness, originality, or plausibility.
