Plans submitted for an extension to Roydon Primary School, off Manor Road, to provide extra SEND places

Plans have been submitted for an extension to a Norfolk village school to cater for a rising demand for places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Norfolk County Council wants to create a 16-place early interventions base at Roydon Primary School.

The proposed single-storey extension to the existing building, off Manor Road, would include external work, soft landscaping, a hard play area and a car park.

As the education authority, the county council has applied to its own planning committee for consent, saying there is an urgent need in this part of the county for extra places for SEND children.

Supporting documents state: “This will provide much-needed pupil places and offer more convenient provision for pupils in the centre of the county, limiting travel and cost associated with pupil provision being delivered away from the area, which is not a sustainable way to meet this need.”

The application states it will create additional employment opportunities, economic benefit and that Roydon Primary School has expressed a “strong expression of interest” for the 16-place base.

The council feels the school is ideally placed to cater for children coming from Diss and the surrounding villages.

It would see SEND children educated in a mainstream school, with high staff ratios and specialist support.

The proposed scheme includes a small, one-storey extension and internal remodelling, which will provide two classrooms, toilets, administration areas and stores.

It would employ two new full-time teachers, two higher-level teaching assistants, two teaching assistants and a welfare support assistant.

Norfolk County Council has also welcomed a report by the National Audit Office calling for urgent reforms in how children with special educational needs and disabilities are supported.