The relocation and expansion of Fred Nicholson School took a major step forward as pupils visited the construction site and participated in a ceremonial steel signing.

The school, which serves children and young people aged 7 to 16 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), is moving from Dereham to a new site on Lynn Road, Swaffham. This move, part of Norfolk County Council’s multi-million-pound Local First Inclusion (LFI) programme, will allow the school to increase its capacity from 197 to 224 pupils.

The ceremony was attended by Fred Nicholson School pupils and staff, RG Carter—the construction firm delivering the project and Norfolk County Council, which is funding and overseeing the development.


With the steel frame now complete and precast floors installed, internal work on the 3.2-hectare site has begun.

Councillor Penny Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Norfolk County Council, said: "The relocation of Fred Nicholson School will allow us to address the growing demand for specialist education and support services. Thank you to everyone involved for your commitment, hard work, and dedication to the project, ensuring that every child in Norfolk can flourish."

The three-storey building will feature 17 classrooms, along with specialist teaching areas for life skills, sensory immersion, and physical development. The site will also provide dedicated spaces for sixth form and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) support.

The project is part of Norfolk County Council's SEND improvement programme, which is bringing over £100 million in investment from the Department for Education (DfE) and the council. This builds on the council’s previous £120 million capital investment, which has already delivered three special schools and hundreds of specialist places in mainstream schools.

The relocated Fred Nicholson School is scheduled to open in spring 2026.