Rethinking SEN provision
Too many children with special educational needs are still educated far from home, sometimes across counties, simply because the right facilities don’t exist locally. The impact is profound; families face disruption, councils face escalating costs, and young people are cut off from the communities where they deserve to learn, grow and belong.
Local authorities are now facing some of the greatest challenges in a generation. EHCP volumes have risen by more than 60% in just five years, SEN transport costs continue to drain budgets, and the national cumulative deficit is projected to reach £4.6 billion by March 2026. The need for sustainable, local solutions has never been more urgent.
There is a better way. By adapting, extending, and redesigning existing school estates, councils can create inclusive environments that keep children closer to home. This not only strengthens families and communities, but also eases financial pressures and raises the standard of education and support for all.
“By making smart, targeted changes to existing school estates, we can keep more children learning within their own communities.”
Richard Gawthorpe
Group Business Development Director
Learn more
For a greater insight into the Norse Group approach, read Richard Gawthorpe’s article on how strategic changes to existing school estates can create inclusive, sustainable SEN provision that keeps children closer to home, and delivers long-term value for councils.
Together, let’s take the next step towards building resilient, community-based education.
Introducing our education playbook
Norse Group’s education route map, Making SEN education local, affordable and resilient, is a strategic resource designed to help leaders align vision, funding, and delivery. It sets out how adapting, extending, and redesigning existing mainstream school estates can meet rising demand, without the high cost of building new specialist facilities.
Inside, you’ll find:
• A roadmap for adapting and extending mainstream schools to meet SEN needs
• Strategic actions to ease pressure on SEN transport budgets
• Tools to support joined-up decision-making across education, estates, health and transport
• Cost-effective solutions that create long-term community value
Every journey must begin somewhere, take your first step towards inclusive education today.
Case studies
Explore real-world examples of how Norse Group is working with local authorities to transform schools and communities through inclusive design.
Bure Park Specialist Academy
Client: Norfolk County Council
Architecture · Building Surveying · Interior Design · M&E Engineering · Quantity Surveying · Structural Engineering
Heltwate School
Client: Peterborough City Council
Architecture · Landscape Architecture · Structural Engineering · M&E Design · Civil Engineering · Quantity Surveying · Employer’s Agent
West Oaks School
Client: Leeds City Council
Architecture · Project Management · Strategic Advisory · Stakeholder Engagement · Landscape Architecture
