Growing numbers of Norfolk's neediest children cannot get places in the county's special schools because they are full.A surge in the number of children with special needs is putting a strain on the system, meaning more of the children are being sent to private schools in and outside Norfolk, which can be much more costly.
Growing numbers of Norfolk's neediest children cannot get places in the county's special schools because they are full.
A surge in the number of children with special needs is putting a strain on the system, meaning more of the children are being sent to private schools in and outside Norfolk, which can be much more costly.
Meanwhile, scores of children who are at the county's 12 special schools face more than two hours a day in taxis to get to their classrooms because they live so far from the provision they need.
The worst examples include:
* Sidestrand Hall School, near Cromer, where one child has a 90-mile return journey from King's Lynn and at least 15 are driven the 30 miles from Yarmouth and Gorleston.
* Sheringham Woodfields School, which has one pupil travelling 100 miles each day to get from and to their Downham Market home, and others as far away as Methwold, Thornham and Brockdish - all at least 70 mile round trips.
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