Norfolk County Council identified an urgent need for dedicated educational provision in eastern Norfolk for pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.
Case study
Bure Park Specialist Academy
Client: Norfolk County Council
Project Overview
At the time, no such specialist school existed locally. Establishing this provision would ensure that children requiring the enhanced support of an SEMH school could access it closer to home, while also reducing the costs associated with placing pupils outside the Great Yarmouth area. To bring this vision to life, Norse Group was commissioned to provide full Design Services (RIBA Stages 1–6) and to lead the fast-track procurement of the entire construction process.
The chosen site, located in a built-up residential area of North Great Yarmouth, was formerly home to a mix of educational buildings, including the original Alderman Swindell School, which dated back to 1929. In September 2018, pupils were relocated to the newly enlarged North Denes Primary School, freeing the site for redevelopment. Following early consultation with the local authority and community, it was agreed that while most of the site would be cleared, including existing buildings, hardstanding and car parking, the original 1929 structure facing Beresford Road would be retained. Though not formally listed, the building was recognised as having local heritage value and played an important role in the site’s character.
Navigating the planning process was a key challenge. Although the site already had educational use designation, Norse Group worked to ensure the redevelopment aligned with both the local Development Plan and National Planning Policy. Particular attention was given to demonstrating that any residential elements would be exclusively for pupils enrolled at the school.
Community engagement
In 2019, a public consultation event was held to give local residents and interested stakeholders the opportunity to share their views on the proposed SEMH school. The event and subsequent planning process generated a wide range of feedback. Community members raised questions about the suitability of the site, concerns about building height and fencing, the number and age of pupils, construction-related disruption such as traffic and noise, and the intended use of the residential accommodation blocks. Importantly, many residents welcomed the decision to retain a section of the original school building, recognising its heritage value as a cherished part of the local area.
The design of the new school responded directly to these insights, with the layout, building heights, and massing shaped by the site’s specific constraints and community concerns. The new building sits respectfully behind the retained 1929 structure, with a distinct change in brick colour and materials clearly differentiating the new from the old. A variety of roof heights and forms were used to soften the visual impact and break up the skyline. Concerns regarding perimeter fencing were addressed by restoring the existing railings at the site boundary and installing a secondary security weld mesh fence set back to allow space for planting. This approach provides the necessary safeguarding measures while maintaining a more sympathetic and visually appealing streetscape.
Lighting was carefully designed to balance security needs with environmental considerations—minimising light pollution while ensuring adequate illumination for safety and amenity. The school layout also prioritises safety and efficiency, with clearly defined drop-off and pick-up areas featuring separate entrance and exit gates. This design eliminates the need for on-street parking or waiting. Staff and visitor parking is located in a separate, barrier-controlled area, and all pedestrian access points feature secure entry systems.
To meet the client’s request for an accelerated delivery programme, Norse proposed an early works strategy. This included procuring the full construction package alongside a dedicated demolition phase. By initiating demolition early, approximately 90% of the existing buildings could be removed, mains services capped off, and key enabling works completed. This proactive approach ensured that the main contractor, appointed via the NCC Framework, would take ownership of both the demolition and any associated site risks, leading to a more efficient and informed construction phase. A separate demolition application was submitted ahead of the main planning application to facilitate this fast-track approach
“It was a privilege to be involved in the first purpose built SEMH school with residential accommodation in East Norfolk. To be able to be an integral part of the process from conception to completion and beyond was very rewarding. Knowing that we have handed over facilities that will hopefully make a difference and getting to see them in use and making a positive impact is very satisfying.”
Daniel Fordham , Operations Director of Consulting, Norse Group
“This initiative has helped our children understand the importance of healthy eating. Through the project we have learned about food from different countries and the footballers’ cards have really excited our children.”
Joel Hann , Assistant Headteacher, Queen’s Hill Primary School
“We had great fun putting these dishes together with the players; I am delighted to play a role in helping to improve the health and wellbeing of local pupils.”
Dan Savage , Chef for Norwich City’s first team
Project benefits
The project has delivered a range of significant outcomes, demonstrating Norfolk County Council’s continued investment in specialist educational provision across the county:
- First of its kind in East Norfolk: This is the first dedicated SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) school in East Norfolk, providing much-needed local support as part of the wider expansion of Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision.
- Tailored, future-ready design: The new facility has been purpose-built to meet current SEN standards, as set out in the Department for Education’s Building Bulletin 103. The design was further refined in collaboration with the client and end users to ensure it fully supports the needs of the pupils.
- Energy efficiency and sustainability: A rooftop array of photovoltaic (PV) panels has been installed to reduce energy consumption, supported by enhanced thermal performance in both the new build and retained elements of the site.
- Exceeding building standards: Materials and construction methods were carefully selected to exceed current Building Regulation requirements for energy and thermal efficiency. This includes upgrades to the retained buildings to improve insulation and sustainability.
- Ventilation and wellbeing: A natural ventilation strategy supports indoor air quality, contributing to a healthy and comfortable learning environment.
- Modern Methods of Construction (MMC): The new school incorporates structural steelwork and an on-site Structural Framing System (SFS), ensuring a faster, more efficient build process.
- Sustainable timber construction: The two-storey residential accommodation blocks have been constructed using timber framing, aligning with the project’s broader sustainability goals.
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