2+ mon, 6+ day ago (1274+ words) Norfolk has a higher proportion of children getting extra support for special educational needs than almost anywhere else in the country, prompting new fears for the county's finances. Among comparable councils, only one other area in England has a higher rate of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). An aerial view of Norwich(Image: Mike Page) Once a child is judged to require such a plan, they become eligible for special measures to support their education, such as one-to-one teaching, extra therapy and equipment. This places additional costs on the county council, which has seen its spending on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) soar in recent years. National politicians have warned the system is no longer sustainable and is overwhelming councils' finances, reducing their ability to spend in other areas. Last year, the number of Norfolk youngsters…...

11+ mon, 3+ week ago (186+ words) A new professional network has been launched to boost learning and development in Norfolk and Suffolk. Elevate East was unveiled at a sold-out event at the Norfolk Showground in late November, attended by around 30 people. The network was founded by Michael Casanova, Nadine Tapp'and Margaret Burnside. Ms Tapp said: "The energy in the room was fantastic and truly inspirational. "We identified a real shared cause to be the basis of our new community'and, with the insights shared by Andy Lancaster, we feel that we truly could elevate the east." Attendees deep in discussion at the launch event for new East Anglian learning and development network Elevate East (Image: Flagship Group) Mr Casanova said: "This launch event was a powerful reminder of the passion and purpose within our profession. "The turnout and shared insights confirmed that this community has long been…...

4+ mon, 3+ week ago (486+ words) People have been urged to put pressure on their MPs to help get Norfolk's long-awaited dental school off the ground - so people can access NHS dentists. Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig said the future of the proposed University of East Anglia school'is hanging in the balance because the government has yet to allocate places for students at the facility. Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig (Image: Denise Bradley) She called on people to put pressure on the county's MPs, so they, in turn, will help persuade the government to confirm that students will be able to begin courses from September. The University of East Anglia's application to train dentists at the new facility - housed in a new'extension to the Edith Cavell Building at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital - has been approved by the General Dental Council....

10+ mon, 4+ day ago (749+ words) Millions of pounds of grant funding will be made available to businesses across Norfolk as part of an ambitious new five-year economic plan for the county. Norfolk's new Local Growth Plan aims to position the county at the forefront of the UK economy. A new "1.1m Business Growth Fund will offer businesses grants between "5,000 and "50,000, with an intervention rate'of 30pc'from April 1 this year. The Made Smarter Adoption programme for the East of England, meanwhile, will provide a boost for the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector, with grants of up to "20,000 and an intervention rate of 50pc. The plan hopes to build'on Norfolk's influence in key sectors like clean energy and agri-tech, as well as the'cutting-edge research taking place across'the county.' The launch of Norfolk's new Local Growth Plan at Norwich Playhouse'(Image: Lesley van Dijk) NORFOLK'S LOCAL GROWTH PLAN Norfolk's new Local…...

4+ mon, 4+ week ago (345+ words) A new programme has been launched to amplify the voices of businesses in Norfolk - ensuring'the region receives the national and international recognition it deserves. The Norfolk Business Board's Norfolk Ambassador Programme brings together respected leaders from business, education, and public life who will use their influence to promote the county as a place to live, work and invest.' The programme was launched at reception'jointly hosted by Norfolk Chambers of Commerce on the opening day of this year's'Royal Norfolk Show.' From left: Candy Richards, Federation of Small Businesses; Nick Steven-Jones, CEO of Jarrold Group; Jon Barnard, Greyfriars Project Management; and Alex Till, MENTA (Image: Supplied) While its first 30 ambassadors each have their own areas of expertise, they all have one thing in common: pride in Norfolk.' The ambassadors will champion Norfolk as a place to do business, speaking at events to…...

7+ mon, 2+ week ago (235+ words) The Aylsham Show committee has'launched its'annual search'to celebrate'Norfolk's best farmers through the 2025 Norfolk County Farm Business" Aylsham Show launches 2025 Norfolk farm business competition The Aylsham Show committee has launched its annual search to celebrate the best of Norfolk's farming businesses. The 44th Norfolk County Farm Business Competition is now opened for entries for 2025. Rob Norman, who chairs the competition's organising committee for the Aylsham Agricultural Show Association, said he hopes to encourage a wider pool of entries this year - particularly from the west of the county. "This is for anyone who farms in Norfolk," he said. "One of the positives last year was we had a lot of new people entering, and we had a new winner. This year, we want even more new entries, and we never really have that many from west Norfolk, so it would be good to…...

8+ mon, 3+ hour ago (586+ words) From plans for a new school in Bawburgh to Norwich's eleventh McDonald's, here are five public notices to be aware of in Norfolk this week. From plans for a new school'to the eleventh McDonald's in Norwich getting the green light, here are five public notices to be aware of in Norfolk this week. Plans have emerged for a new school in Bawburgh (Image: Simon Finlay) The proposals lodged with South Norfolk Council set out designs for a two-storey school building and play area in Bawburgh. The new facility would be built in Long Lane, near Costessey Park and Ride, on a site currently used as a pig farm. The plans are in the early stages and have cropped up in the wake of large housing developments in surrounding villages.' The school would include a multi-use games area, play areas, a…...

4+ mon, 4+ week ago (146+ words) Were you one of the lucky winners in last month's Postcode Lottery? Norfolk won big throughout June, with seven different locations getting lucky in the national draw. In the Norwich area, winning spots included NR5 8FS, Lapwing Drive in Costessey, and NR5 8AN, Beverely Road, which both took home "1,000. The nearby villages of Mulbarton and Taverham also won big, with'NR14 8JH,'Forge Orchards, and NR8 6HS, Fakenham Road in Taverham, scooping a grand each. Heading to the seaside, players from'NR31 9BE, Station Road in Great Yarmouth, and NR29 4HS, Beach Road in Hemsby, also scooped "1,000 each in winnings,' And in north Norfolk, contestants living in NR28 0BB, Beatrice Close'in'North Walsham, also bagged "1,000. Playing the Postcode Lottery costs "12'per month, with 33pc of the ticket money going to good causes. There are 20 draws each month'and winning postcodes are'announced daily....

6+ mon, 2+ week ago (765+ words) Two vitally-needed new Norfolk schools have been delayed, affecting hundreds of pupils and heaping further pressure on stretched council budgets. New special schools for Great Yarmouth and Downham ... Two vitally-needed new Norfolk schools have been delayed, affecting hundreds of pupils and heaping further pressure on stretched council budgets. New special schools for Great Yarmouth and Downham Market, to take in270 pupils, were approvedin 2023, but the schemes are in limbo because the government has yet to stump up the money. Millions of pounds isneeded tobuild the new free schools for SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) youngsters. ButNorfolk County Council officials' hopesthey would be built and open for September next year have been dashed. Even though academy trust sponsors are in place to run the schools - at theNorth Denes school site in Great Yarmouth and Ryston End in Downham Market - the council…...

3+ mon, 3+ week ago (316+ words) Three Norfolk primary schools will be able to get hands-on with nature thanks to a cash injection from a wind farm's community fund." Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT)"received "16,685 from'rsted's Hornsea 3 Community Fund to support the roll-out of its Wilder Schools programme. Over two years, the project will deliver classroom sessions for 150 children, teacher training, school assemblies and on-site conservation activities like wildflower planting and installing bat boxes. The schools that will benefit are Rollesby"Primary School, Loddon Junior School and Hillside Avenue Primary and Infant School. "This generous support from rsted will enable Norfolk Wildlife Trust to work with three primary schools in Norfolk to inspire children and their school communities to take action for nature," said Isabelle Mudge,"wilder learning manager at NWT. "The project will bring outdoor learning into the classroom, developing pupils' skills and confidence to help…...