Planned school would be for church congregation

Plans for a proposed independent school in a village have specified it would be for the children of families that were part of a church's congregation.

OneSchool Global has lodged an application with South Norfolk Council for a new campus in Bawburgh, near Norwich, which is set to replace its existing school in Swaffham.

The school would enrol up to 130 pupils aged five to 18 from across Norfolk and Waveney, Suffolk, and would be built near Costessey Park and Ride.

The school network was founded by members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, an evangelical Christian movement, with its schools attended by church families.

Initial designs for the new facility include a gym, play area, classrooms, a library, kitchen and a 60-space car park.

The Long Lane site spans nearly eight acres (3.25 hectares) and is currently a pig farm, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

OneSchool Global said its 110-student campus at Turbine Way in Swaffham, which includes two adapted portacabins, was "nearing the end of its serviceable life".

The school would continue its arrangement of all students arriving and leaving by a dedicated minibus service, the application stated.

"Subject to approval, the new school campus will provide outstanding professional opportunities for educators within the OneSchool Global network, while also supporting high-quality local jobs through the construction and development phase," said Sarah Bennett, a regional principal at OneSchool Global UK.

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