This commentary is provided to give additional supporting information which has informed the planning proposals for special school development.

Over 50% of pupils attending Ethel Tipple School live in Kings Lynn with a broadly even distribution profile attending from surrounding areas. A small number of children currently attending from IP24, IP26 and IP27 could have their needs met more locally if a specialist facility were to be developed in Thetford.

Less than 50% of pupils attending Alderman Jackson School live in Kings Lynn with a broadly even distribution profile attending from surrounding areas.

The central location of Fred Nicholson School allows residential placements to be made from a wide catchment area. There is a higher population currently attending from NR20, NR19 and IP24. The proposed new special school at Sheringham would absorb future referrals from NR20. IP24 referrals would be absorbed through the proposed development at Chapel Road School. The central location of Fred Nicholson School and its access to residential provision is a significant consideration in its proposed re-designation.

Pupil distribution is broadly even. The higher proportion of pupils from IP24 would support consideration of relocation to a mainstream campus within the Thetford area.

Approximately one third of pupils attending Clare School live in Norwich. The wide pupil distribution is linked to placement within the specialist sensory provision available within the school. Pupils in West Norfolk do not attend the Clare School.

Priority has been given to referrals from Norwich and North Norfolk. Pupils in NR28 and NR11 will in future travel less distance to the new Sheringham School.

The wider pupil distribution is primarily the result of the specialist autistic resource bases.

This EBD school supports pupils from across Norfolk initially on a residential basis. The geographical distance from West Norfolk presents logistical difficulty when pupils are reintegrating into mainstream schools in their home areas.

Approximately two thirds of the pupils attending Parkside School live in Norwich. Referrals from NR31, NR30 and NR29 may be absorbed by the proposed development at John Grant School.

The pupil distribution is currently focused on NR29, NR26 and NR31.

The proposal to extend the range of facilities and provision available is supported by numbers of pupils currently travelling to Sidestrand Hall School and Parkside School (NR30 – 18 pupils; NR31 – 11 pupils).

The new Sheringham School will accommodate children currently travelling to both Norwich and Great Yarmouth from North Norfolk.

A smaller number of children attend Sidestrand Hall School on a residential basis (including PE38 and NR16). Referrals from NR29, NR30, NR31 may be absorbed by the proposed development at John Grant School.