North Norfolk or South Norfolk

[OceanDreams23]

Hi All

We are looking to relocate to Norfolk in the New Year with our 7 year old. We work remotely and would like to hear from locals which areas you would recommend? We are happy to be in the countryside and/or close to the coast. Our 7 year old as Autism so would be interested to hear from others who have children with additional needs of the local offer and any meet ups with other mums.

thank you

Where are you relocating from?

For schools, you might be better looking a bit more close to Norwich itself.

Wherry School seems to come up a lot in conversation about kids with Autism.

From Dorset

Thank you I'll have a look into that school

My 7 year old is attending a mainstream school at present but will be doing our own research too, helpful to hear from locals too

My child used to be at Wherry but was very unhappy there. It’s like a “school for Sheldons” which is fine if your child is high achieving and very academic (like Sheldon in Big Bang) but it’s essentially a mainstream curriculum with small class sizes, and that doesn’t suit everyone. Some children do like it though. My child moved to another specialist school and is much happier there. Specialist provision in Norfolk is woefully inadequate and many children travel very long distances to get to their school- due to rural location and lack of provision.

We moved to South Norfolk from London 17 years ago and love it here but my dd has struggled with the lack of transport and things to do as she’s got older - she’s now at university and wants to move to the city she’s in. With your child being 7 these things won’t matter too much now but I wouldn’t move anywhere where there’s no transport as you will be taxi of Mum for years and years.

This group for Norfolk SEN parents may be good -

<a class="break-all" href="https://m.facebook.com/groups/481143167429108/?ref=sharem.facebook.com/groups/481143167429108/?ref=share&exp=9594" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://m.facebook.com/groups/481143167429108/?ref=sharem.facebook.com/groups/481143167429108/?ref=share&exp=9594

If the link doesn’t work it’s SEN Family Support Group Norfolk.

@Xrays Really appreciate your feedback on the school, That's really helpful thank you, and I will check out the link.

You’re welcome 💐

If the Wherry interests you it might be worth also looking at Duke of Lancaster as that’s quite similar - and the head there was the deputy head at wherry before they moved (or used to be last time I checked anyway) so very similar approaches now at both the schools.

This article might be useful as well

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23608236.norfolk-county-council-add-units-six-primary-schools/