Catherine McKinnell MP, Minister of State for School Standards, visited Thetford Academy yesterday following a request by South West Norfolk MP, Terry Jermy. The visit was arranged to discuss Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) issues within the area and to see the firsthand progress made at Thetford Academy.
In the October 2024 Budget, the Labour government committed to improving SEND provision nationally by allocating a £1billion uplift, alongside extra funding for the core schools budget to support the government’s pledge to hire thousands more teachers.
Thetford Academy located within South West Norfolk’s largest market town is a secondary school where many of its pupils are diagnosed with SEND conditions.
Terry Jermy MP, said, “One of the single biggest priorities for me and the government is ensuring that children with SEND are properly supported and able to thrive. That is why I employ a SEND specialist in the constituency – one of very few MPs to do so. I recognise that many families are struggling to get the key support they need after 14 years of Tory failure.
“In rural areas the additional money the government has committed is particularly needed due to additional complications from a lack of local SEND provision and poor transport options. Norfolk has the highest exclusion rate in the East of England as well as the highest cost of school transport provision per educational health and care plan.
“The County is ranked 5th highest nationally for these costs. I promised education and SEND in particular would be one of my main priorities as an MP, and having the minister here today shows that the government understands the scale of the challenge. Labour is seeking to build a system where every child is able to achieve and thrive.”
Gareth Stevens, Chief Executive Officer at Inspiration Trust, the operator of Thetford Academy said, “At Thetford Academy we are incredibly proud of the inclusive culture that ensures every child can thrive. Our SEND pupils are supported through exceptional literacy interventions and the outstanding work of our Specialist Resource Base, which stands as a beacon of best practice. The dedication of staff and the ambition of students truly reflect our belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed.”
Michael Fordham, Principal of Thetford Academy, “We are very excited to host the Minister and MP in the same year that we are celebrating our best A-Level and GCSE results, and we are keen to be part of future conversations for the direction of SEND.”
