Contractors have reached the latest milestone in the construction of a new ‘state-of-the-art’ Norfolk SEND school in Breckland.
Representatives from R G Carter joined pupils, councillors and design partners NPS at the site of the new Fred Nicholson School in Swaffham for a traditional topping out ceremony.
The school, which has long been based in Dereham, will move to the new site in Lynn Road, creating an additional 27 SEND places in the county and bringing the school’s total pupil number to 224.
Its development comes as part of Norfolk County Council’s multi-million-pound Local First Inclusion programme, aimed at creating more specialist places for children with special educational needs alongside more wraparound support for children educated at mainstream schools.
Alex Mackay, Director and General Manager at R G Carter said: “We were delighted to welcome key stakeholders, students and staff to celebrate this exciting milestone.
“The topping-out ceremony is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase progress to those that will be using the building on completion, as well as thank everyone involved in the journey so far.
“We look forward to bringing Norfolk County Council’s vision to life and completing this much-needed new SEND provision for the benefit of its students, staff and the local community.”
The new three-storey school building will feature 17 main classrooms, dedicated areas for sixth form and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) provision, and specialist teaching areas for life skills, sensory immersion and sensory and physical development.
Heidi Philpott, Headteacher of Fred Nicholson School, said: “It is incredibly exciting for our learners to be included in this celebration, offering them the opportunity to see their new school taking shape.
“We are all looking forward to the move and being able to learn together in a school with purposeful and modern equipment and facilities.”
Cllr Penny Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Norfolk County Council, added: “The building and its state-of-the-art facilities will offer an outstanding specialist environment for the learning and development of children with SEND.”
The relocated school is due to open in spring 2026.