Attleborough’s Chapel Road School celebrates ceilidh funding boost

The Rotary Club of Wymondham and the Wymondham Lions joined forces to stage the event earlier this year. They have now handed over a cheque to Attleborough's Chapel Road School, which is in the process of moving to a new site in Old Buckenham.

Karin Heap, headteacher, said she was delighted with the support.

She said: 'This generous donation will go towards outside play equipment for the new site.

'Now that building work is well under way, it will not be long before our pupils and staff will be able to learn and work in a school that is purpose-designed and where compromises on learning, due to restrictions in the accommodation, will be issues of the past.'

It is hoped the new school will be ready early next near.

Costing £13.9m, the new site will be called Chapel Green School and will be able to take 110 pupils, compared to the current maximum of 60.

The school will cater to pupils with complex needs aged three to 19.

Terry Hickman Smith, the school's chairman of governors and a Wymondham Rotarian, said: 'Donations are essential in order for us to provide the best possible facilities for our children.

'We are enormously grateful for all the work involved by the Rotary Club and the Lions in raising such a generous amount for us.

'The new school will not only benefit Chapel Road pupils, parents and staff but all youngsters with complex needs in South Norfolk.

'We look forward to working with the two existing schools and the wider Old Buckenham community.'

Chapel Road School has been at its current site since the 1960s.

Government grants are paying for the building, furniture, equipment and landscaping - but the school still needs to raise money for play equipment, specialist items and other resources.

Philip Richardson from Wymondham Rotary Club and John Wilde and Jim Cawte, from the Lions, handed over the cheque at a school assembly.