Sprowston SHIP Provision

Sprowston SHIP officially opened in September 2024 as a temporary provision and is due to relocate to a purpose-built facility in readiness for September 2026.

SHIPs are part of a developing network of specialist provisions for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), based within mainstream schools across Norfolk. Their development forms part of Norfolk County Council’s Local First Inclusion Programme.

The aim of the SHIP is to enable children and young people with SEND to access consistently high-quality education within their local community, ensuring that their needs are met through the right support, at the right time.

SHIPs provide enhanced staffing, specialist resources, tailored learning environments, and expert support to enable pupils to thrive within a mainstream school setting whilst accessing personalised provision designed to meet their individual needs.

Who is the SHIP for?

SHIPs support children with a range of co-occurring needs, including:

• neurodiversity
• social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs
• learning difficulties

The provision offers a personalised, child-centred approach to learning, including targeted small-group support, whilst enabling pupils to benefit from inclusive practice within the wider mainstream environment.

We use a holistic approach when planning and implementing our curriculum to break down barriers to learning and personal development to enable our children to progress and develop within a safe and inclusive environment.

The SHIP curriculum aims to develop positive self-identity, emotional literacy & self-regulation, independence and communication skills as well as academic skills.

Children accessing a SHIP are expected to have the potential to engage with aspects of a mainstream curriculum once their needs have been identified and appropriate strategies and support are in place.

SHIPs are intended for children living within the locality of the mainstream school, enabling them to attend school close to home and participate in local after-school activities and community opportunities alongside their peers.

What can the Sprowston SHIP offer?

The Sprowston SHIP provides a Key Stage 2 provision with capacity for up to 16 pupils.

The provision is led by a qualified teacher who oversees the day-to-day running of the SHIP and is supported by Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) and Teaching Assistants (TAs). All staff receive specialist training in supporting children and young people with SEND.

SHIP staff are able to access guidance and support from an Educational Psychologist , specialist teachers from Norfolk’s special schools,  Specialist Partners , Local Authority specialist teachers .

In addition, the provision benefits from commissioned Occupational Therapy support and a linked Speech and Language Therapist.

Although staff may be primarily assigned to a specific hub, they work collaboratively across provisions to ensure that all pupils receive the support they require.

How does my child access a place at the SHIP?

SHIP placements are permanent placements.

Referrals to the SHIP are made through a child’s current school or via the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) coordinator, following the agreed Norfolk County Council referral procedures.