School consultations

Informal consultations

School Term Dates 2026-27

Local Authorities have a duty to set the school term dates for local authority maintained schools, such as community and voluntary controlled schools. Foundation, Trust, Voluntary Aided Schools and Academies are responsible for setting their own term dates. In practice, most of the schools in Norfolk, use the same term dates. Schools must be open to pupils for 190 days in an academic year and 195 days for teachers. Home to school transport will be provided on the days the school is open to pupils.

Norfolk County Council works with other local authorities nearby to set proposed dates for an academic year - this is known as the Eastern Region Model Calendar. We do this because we feel it is better to have a co-ordinated approach to setting school term dates to minimise the impact on families and school transport providers.

Norfolk County Council is consulting on the proposed term and holiday dates for 2026-2027. This consultation runs from Monday 4 November and closes on Friday 13 December 2023. The results of the consultation will be published on Norfolk County Council's website in Spring 2025. To view details of this consultation on these dates and the calendar please visit Consultation on proposed term dates 2026-27

Statutory consultations (Public Notices)

Former Blofield Primary School site, North Street, Blofield, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 4RH

Norfolk County Council have published a statutory public notice consultation which runs from Monday 4 November to Monday 16 December 2024 to dispose of the site of the former Blofield Primary School, North Street, Blofield, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 4RH, which is anticipated to close in Spring 2025. The school is to be relocated to a newly constructed building on Blofield Primary School, Plantation Road, Blofield, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 4PL Full details of our proposal for this site are available by clicking on the Citizenspace link Former Blofield Primary site consultation

Bradwell Homefield CE VC Primary School, Bradwell, Norfolk NR31 8NS

Norfolk County Council have published a statutory public notice consultation which runs from Monday 18 November to Monday 16 December 2024 to increase the number of pupils from 210 pupils to 420 pupils, move into a new school building located on Chaplin Road and change the age range from 3 - 11 to 4 - 11. These changes would come into effect from the Spring Term of 2027 (subject to planning permission). Full details of our proposal for this site are available by clicking on the Citizenspace link: Bradwell Homefield consultation

Presumption process

New Primary Free School, Silfield

The presumption process for the new Free School at Silfield was launched on 25 April 2023 closing on 6 June 2023. Further details of the presumption process followed can be found here:

Silfield Free School Presumption process

New Primary Free School, Cringleford

The presumption process for the new Free School at Cringleford was launched on 12 September 2022 closing on 7 November 2022. Further details of the presumption process followed can be found here:

Cringleford Free School Presumption process

Recent Determinations

See the list of recent changes to school organisation in Norfolk.

St John's Community Primary School and Nursery, Hoveton

On 1 August 2024, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker made the following school organisation determination:

To change the age range at St John's Community Primary School and Nursery, Hoveton from 3-11 years to 4-11 years, and to run all nursery provision for 3 year olds via Community Facility Powers under the direction of the School Governors from 1 September 2024. Full details of the Determination can be found on the following Citizenspace survey link: St John's Consultation

Hopton CE Primary Academy, Homefield CE VA Primary School, Hillside Primary School, Woodlands Primary Academy and Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy

On 2 July 2024, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the following school organisation determination:-

To change the catchments area of Hopton CE Primary Academy, Homefield CE VA Primary School, Hillside Primary School, and Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy and Woodlands Primary Academy from 1 September 2024. Full details of the Consultation Report and Determination can be found on the following Citizenspace Link survey link: Bradwell Consultation

Hindringham CE VC Primary School

On 13 June 2024, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the following school organisation determination:-

Change of category of the school, from voluntary controlled to voluntary aided, from 1 September 2024.

Toftwood Infant School and Toftwood Junior School, Dereham

On 27 March 2024, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the school organisation determination outlined below in relation to Toftwood Infant and Junior School, Dereham:-

To establish a 16 place Social Emotional and Mental Health base at Toftwood Infant School and Toftwood Junior School, Dereham from 1st September 2025. Full details of the Determination Report and Notice can be found on the following Citizenspace survey link: Toftwood Consultation

Roydon Primary School, Diss

On 28 March 2024, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the school organisation determination outlined below in relation to Roydon Primary School, Diss:-

To establish a 16 place Specialist Hub of Inclusion Practice (SHIP) from 1 September 2025. Full details of the Determination Report and Notice can be found on the following Citizenspace survey link: Roydon Consultation

The Parkside School, Norwich

On 27th March 2024, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the school organisation determination outlined below in relation to The Parkside School, Norwich:-

From 1 September 2024, to increase the number of pupils in the 6th form, to provide 12 extra places for pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and to change the age range from 7 - 17 to 7 - 18 years. Full details of the Determination Report and Notice can be found on the following Citizenspace survey link: Parkside Consultation

School Term Dates 2025-26

Local Authorities have a duty to set the school term dates for local authority maintained schools, such as community and voluntary controlled schools. Foundation, Trust, Voluntary Aided Schools and Academies are responsible for setting their own term dates. In practice, most of the schools in Norfolk use the same term dates. Schools must be open to pupils for 190 days in an academic year and 195 days for teachers. Home to school transport will be provided on the days the school is open to pupils.

Norfolk County Council has agreed the proposed term and holiday dates for 2025-26. To view details of the consultation on these dates and the calendar please visit Consultation on proposed term dates 2025-26

Marsham Primary School

On 26 February 2024, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the school organisation determination outlined below, in relation to Marsham Primary School:-

to close Marsham Primary (Foundation) School, High Street, Marsham, Norfolk NR10 5AE, from 31 August 2024.

Full details of the Determination Report and Notice can be found on the following Citizenspace link: Marsham Primary Catchment consultation

Great Massingham CE Primary School

On 4 December 2023, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the school organisation determination outlined below, in relation to Great Massingham CE Primary School:

to the extension of the catchment area of Great Massingham CE Primary School, to include the parish of Weasenham, from 1 January 2024.

Full details of the Determination Report and Notice can be found on the following Citizenspace link: Great Massingham Primary consultation

New Free School Silfield

On 22 September 2023 Unity Schools Partnership were given Secretary of State approval to sponsor the proposed primary free school in Cringleford under section 6A (the 'free school presumption') of the Education and Inspections Act 2006. Further details of the presumption process followed can be found here Silfield Free School Presumption process

Necton VA Primary School

On 27 July 2023, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the school organisation determination outlined below, following the statutory public notice period, in relation to Necton VA Primary School:

To extend the school's age range from 4-11 to 2-11 years, from 1 September 2023 at Necton VA Primary School, School Road, Necton, Swaffham, Norfolk PE37 8HT.

Full details of the Determination Report and Notice can be found on the following Citizenspace link: Necton VA Primary School

Fred Nicholson School, Dereham

On 27 July 2023, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the school organisation determinations outlined below, following the statutory public notice period, in relation to Fred Nicholson School:

Transfer Fred Nicholson School to Lynn Road, Swaffham, from 1 June 2025
Close the boarding provision by 31 August 2023
Increase the capacity of the school by 52 pupils, served by the school as indicated from 1 September 2023

The approval for the transfer of the school to Swaffham is given subject to meeting a specific condition: planning permission approval is given by 31 March 2024.

Full details of the consultations can be found on the following Citizenspace links - FN Boarding provision consultation and Fred Nicholson Expansion Consultation

SRB Provision

On 19 and 20 July 2023. Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the school organisation determinations outlined below, following the statutory public notice period:

Establishment of Specialist Resource Bases in the 6 schools below:

Falcon Junior School, Norwich
Holly Meadows Primary School, King's Lynn
Necton VA Primary School, Swaffham
Redcastle Family School, Thetford
Sprowston Junior School, Norwich
St William's Primary School, Norwich

Full details, including proposed dates for opening of this provision at each School can be found on the Citizenspace link here: SRB Public Notice consultation

Blofield Primary School

On 16 June 2023, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the school organisation determination outlined below, following the statutory public notice period:

To increase the number of pupils at Blofield Primary School, from 210 pupils to 420 pupils and move into a new school building at Plantation Road, Blofield, NR13 4PL

These changes will come into effect from 1 September 2024. This public notice consultation closed on 23 May 2023. This approval is conditional on planning permission approval by 31 December 2023. Full details are available by clicking on the Citizenspace Survey link: Blofield Primary Consultation

Sprowston Infant School

On 25 May 2023, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the school organisation determination outlined below, following the statutory public notice period:-

To increase the number of places at the Complex Needs Specialist Resource Base (SRB), from 18 places to 26 places, at Sprowston Infant School, Sprowston from 1 February 2024

Full details including copies of the Determination Report and Notice re available by clicking on the Citizenspace Survey link: Sprowston Infant School Consultation

School Term Dates 2024-25

Local Authorities have a duty to set the school term dates for local authority maintained schools, such as community and voluntary controlled schools. Foundation, Trust, Voluntary Aided Schools and Academies are responsible for setting their own term dates. In practice, most of the schools in Norfolk use the same term dates. Schools must be open to pupils for 190 days in an academic year and 195 days for teachers. Home to school transport will be provided on the days the school is open to pupils.

Norfolk County Council has agreed the proposed term and holiday dates for 2024-25. To view details of the consultation on these dates and the calendar please visit Consultation on proposed term dates 2024-25

New Free School Cringleford

On 3 March 2023 Inspiration Trust were given Secretary of State approval to sponsor the proposed primary free school in Cringleford under section 6A (the 'free school presumption') of the Education and Inspections Act 2006. Further details of the presumption process followed can be found here: Cringleford Free School Presumption process

Closed consultations

Woodlands Primary Academy, Hillside Primary School and Homefield CE VC Primary School - Bradwell Catchment

Norfolk County Council, Creative Education Trust and the Trustees of Woodlands Primary Academy are proposing to increase the size of the combined Bradwell catchment area shared by Woodlands Primary Academy, Hillside Primary School and Homefield CE VC Primary School by extending into some of the western side of the existing Hopton catchment area, to ensure that local children have more sustainable travel routes to their local school. This proposal is linked to a proposal from Norfolk County Council to change the catchment areas of Hopton CE Primary Academy and Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy from 1 September 2024. This consultation ran from Monday 15 April to Friday 24 May 2024 and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Bradwell Consultation

Hopton CE Primary Academy

Norfolk County Council, Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) and the Governors of Hopton CE Primary Academy are proposing to change the catchment area of Hopton CE Primary Academy, from 1 September 2024. The proposal is to reduce the size of Hopton catchment area, to ensure that local children have easier travel routes to their local school. It is proposed that the 'lost area' to the northern end of the current catchment area will be included in the Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy catchment area. This proposal is linked to a proposal from Norfolk County Council, to extend the catchment areas of Ormiston Cliff Park and Bradwell from 1 September 2024. This consultation ran from Monday 15 April to Friday 24 May 2024 and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Hopton Consultation

Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy

Norfolk County Council, Ormiston Academies Trust and the Trustees of Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy are proposing to change the catchment area of Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy, from 1 September 2024. This proposal is linked to a proposal from Norfolk County Council, to change the catchment areas of Hopton and Bradwell from 1 September 2024. This consultation ran from Monday 15 April to Friday 24 May 2024 and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Consultation

Toftwood Infant School and Toftwood Junior School, Dereham

Norfolk County Council consulted on a proposal to establish a 16 place Social Emotional and Mental Health base at Toftwood Infant School and Toftwood Junior School, Dereham from 1st September 2025. This consultation ran from Monday 8 January to Friday 16 February 2024 and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Toftwood Consultation

Roydon Primary School, Diss

Norfolk County Council consulted on a proposal to establish a 16 place Specialist Hub of Inclusion Practice (SHIP) from 1 September 2025. This consultation ran from Monday 8 January to Friday 16 February 2024 and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Roydon Consultation

Marsham Primary School

Norfolk County Council consulted on the proposal to change the catchment area of Marsham Primary School (Foundation), from 1 September 2024 by including it into the catchment area of Aylsham. The pupil forecasts for Marsham are low and the Council feel there will be space at the Aylsham schools for pupils within the new catchment area, subject to parental preference. The proposal is linked to a proposal by the Governors of Hevingham and Marsham Federation who are proposing to close Marsham Primary (Foundation) School with effect from 31st August 2024. This means we need to review the catchment area that is linked to Marsham Primary School, if the closure proposal is agreed. Both consultations ran from Monday 6 November to Friday 15 December 2023 and full details of the proposals can be found by visiting the Citizenspace Consultation page: Marsham Primary Catchment consultation

Consultation on Proposed School Term Dates 2025/26

Norfolk County Council consulted on the proposed term and holiday dates for 2025-2026. This consultation closed on 11 December 2023. The results of the consultation will be published on Norfolk County Council's website in Spring 2024. To view the consultation please visit the Citizenspace consultation page: Proposed Term Dates 2025/26

Bradwell Homefield CE VC Primary School

Norfolk County Council consulted on a proposal to:-

Increase the number of pupils at Bradwell Homefield CE VC Primary School, from 210 pupils to 420 pupils

Move into a new school building - full address yet to be confirmed, but will be located on Chaplin Road

Change the age range from 3 - 11 to 4 - 11.

This consultation ran from 11 September 2023 to 20 October 2023. Full details of our proposals are available by clicking on the Citizenspace link: Bradwell Homefield consultation

Great Massingham CE Primary School

Norfolk County Council consulted on a proposal to extend the catchment area of Great Massingham CE Primary School, to include the parish of Weasenham, from 1 January 2024. This proposal is linked to a proposal from DNEAT; to merge Weasenham CE Primary Academy with Brisley CE Primary Academy from 1 January 2024. This means we need to review the catchment area that was linked to Weasenham CE Primary Academy. This consultation ran from 11 September 2023 to 20 October 2023. Full details of this consultation including DNEAT's proposal can be found by clicking on the Citizenspace link: Great Massingham Primary consultation

Fred Nicholson School, Dereham

Norfolk County Council consulted on a proposal to close the boarding provision at Fred Nicholson School, Dereham, from 31 August 2023. There are currently 6 full time staffing vacancies including the Manager and Deputy Manager role. In accordance with statutory regulations Governors had to temporarily suspend this provision on 10 February 2023 at which time it was attended by 18 pupils. If this proposal to close the boarding provision is agreed, we plan to bring forward the increase of pupil places, currently being consulted on, as part of the plans to relocate Fred Nicholson School to a site in Swaffham. This would not be an increase of all the pupil places in one term, but phased over several terms, so the school gradually grows. The space currently reserved for boarding would be repurposed and made available to create additional teaching and learning space for the additional pupils, from 1 September 2023. The consultation ran from Tuesday 18 April 2023 to Tuesday 6 June 2023 and full details are available by clicking on the Citizenspace Survey link: FN Boarding provision consultation

Fred Nicholson School, Dereham

Fred Nicholson School and Norfolk County Council consulted on a proposal for Fred Nicholson School, Dereham to increase the number of pupils with complex needs at the School from 173 to 225 pupils and to relocate the school to Lynn Road, Swaffham from 1 April 2025. The consultation ran from Tuesday 7 March 2023 to Tuesday 9 May 2023 and full details are available by clicking on the Citizenspace Survey link: Fred Nicholson Expansion Consultation

Sprowston Infant School

Norfolk County Council consulted on a proposal for Sprowston Infant School to add 8 places to the complex needs Specialist Resource Base (SRB) from 1 February 2024. The consultation ran from Monday 20 February 2023 to Friday 31 March 2023 and full details are available by clicking on the Citizenspace Survey link: Sprowston Infant School Consultation

Consultation on Proposed School Term Dates 2024/25

Norfolk County Council consulted on the proposed term and holiday dates for 2024-2025.

This consultation closed on 13 December 2022. The results of the consultation were published on Norfolk County Council's website in Spring 2023. To view the consultation please visit the Citizenspace consultation page at Proposed School Term dates 2024/25

Blofield Primary School

Norfolk County Council consulted on a proposal to increase the number of pupils at Blofield Primary School, from 210 pupils to 420 pupils and move into a new school building at Plantation Road, Blofield, NR13 4PL. These changes would come into effect from 1 September 2024. The Consultation ran from Monday 9 January 2023 to 24 February 2023 and full details are available by clicking on the Citizenspace Survey link: Blofield Primary Consultation

Closed Statutory consultations (Public Notices)

St John's Community Primary School and Nursery, Hoveton

Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation on 24 June 2024 on their proposal to change the age range at St John's Community Primary School and Nursery, Hoveton from 3-11 years to 4-11 years, and to run all nursery provision for 3 year olds via Community Facility Powers under the direction of the School Governors from 1 September 2024. This Public Notice closed on 19 July 2024 and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: St John's Consultation

Toftwood Infant School and Toftwood Junior School, Dereham

Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation on 26 February 2024 on their proposal to establish a 16 place Social Emotional and Mental Health base at Toftwood Infant School and Toftwood Junior School, Dereham from 1st September 2025. This Public Notice closed on 25 March and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Toftwood Consultation

Roydon Primary School, Diss

Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation on Monday 26 February 2024 on a proposal to establish a 16 place Specialist Hub of Inclusion Practice (SHIP) at Roydon Primary School Diss from 1 September 2025. This public notice closed on 25 March and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Roydon Consultation

Playing field land at the former Dersingham Infant & Nursery School, Saxon Way, Dersingham, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 6LY

Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation from 12 September 2023 to dispose of 0.42 hectares of playing field land at the former Dersingham Infant & Nursery School, Saxon Way, Dersingham, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 6LY. The land comprises of mixed soft outdoor PE, hard and soft informal/social areas and habitat, in the vicinity of the former school buildings. This Public Notice Consultation closed on 10 October 2023. Full details of our proposal for this land are available by clicking on the Citizenspace link:- Dersingham PN Consultation

Fred Nicholson School, Dereham

Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation on Monday 26 June 2023 for the following:

To transfer Fred Nicholson School to Lynn Road, Swaffham, from 1 June 2025
To close the boarding provision by 31 August 2023
To increase the capacity of the school by 52 pupils, served by the school as indicated from 1 September 2023

This Public Notice Consultation closed on Friday 21 July 2023.

Full details are available by clicking on the Citizenspace Survey link: FN Boarding provision consultation

Full details of the increase in the capacity can be found by clicking on the Citizenspace Survey link: Fred Nicholson Expansion Consultation

SRB proposals

Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation on Monday 19 June 2023 on their proposals for the 6 schools listed below to establish Specialist Resource Bases:-

Falcon Junior School, Norwich
Holly Meadows Primary School, King's Lynn
Necton VA Primary School, Swaffham
Redcastle Family School, Thetford
Sprowston Junior School, Norwich
St William's Primary School, Norwich

This Public Notice Consultation closed on Friday 14 July 2023. Full details of these proposals are available by clicking on the Citizenspace link: SRB Public Notice consultation

Sprowston Infant School

Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation on 25 April 2023 on their proposal for Sprowston Infant School, Recreation Ground Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR7 8EW to increase the number of places at the Complex Needs Specialist Resource Base, from 18 places to 26 places from 1 February 2024. This Public Notice Consultation closed on 23 May 2023. Full details are available by clicking on the Citizenspace link:- Sprowston Infant School Consultation

Blofield Primary School

Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation on 25 April 2023 on their proposal to to increase the number of pupils at Blofield Primary School, from 210 pupils to 420 pupils and move into a new school building at Plantation Road, Blofield, NR13 4PL. These changes would come into effect from 1 September 2024. This public notice consultation closed on 23 May 2023. Full details are available by clicking on the Citizenspace Survey link: Blofield Primary Consultation

Playing field land at the former Sedgeford Primary School, Ringstead Road, Sedgeford, Norfolk, PE36 5NQ

Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation on 30 June 2022 to dispose of the school playing fields at the former Sedgeford Primary School, Ringstead Road, Sedgeford, Norfolk PE36 5NQ. The land comprises of mixed soft outdoor PE, hard and soft informal/social areas, in the vicinity of the former school buildings. This Public Notice Consultation closed on 11 August 2022. Full details of our proposal for this land are available by clicking on the Citizenspace link:- Sedgeford Playing field S77 Consultation

Former Hethersett Woodside Infant and Nursery School Site - S77 Disposal of School Playing Fields

Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation on 2 February 2022 to dispose of the school playing fields at the former Hethersett Woodside Infant and Nursery School, Firs Road, Hethersett, Norfolk NR9 3EQ. The former school site has an overall area of some 0.78 hectares of which 0.53 hectares are classed as playing field land. This statutory public notice consultation closed on 16 March 2022. Hethersett Woodside Infant & Nursery School has relocated to Coachmaker Way, Hethersett, Norfolk NR9 3JL and is now called Hethersett Woodside Primary & Nursery School. In order to dispose of these playing fields, it will be necessary for Norfolk County Council to apply for written consent from the Secretary of State for Education. It is only at that point that we will be able to dispose/change the use of this land. Our Proposal is to seek to sell the former playing fields to develop affordable housing for people with a care and support need to help independent living in the local community. The Consultation details are available by clicking on the Citizenspace link:- Hethersett Woodside Playing Field Disposal S77 Consultation