Duke of Lancaster Academy will be open as normal on Tuesday 24 February.
A full risk assessment has been undertaken, and all transport, medical and safeguarding arrangements remain in place. Families do not need to change their plans – the school day will run as it usually does. We have safe and appropriate staffing levels on site, with the majority of colleagues choosing not to take industrial action and continuing to work as normal to support our learners. We have also drawn on specialist staff from Eastern Education Group’s wider network of SEND schools and outstanding post-16 provision, to ensure continuity and maintain the high levels of support our learners require.
Some staff have chosen to take industrial action. While we recognise their legal right to do so, we are clear that any disruption to the school day is not in the best interests of our children and young people, particularly in a specialist setting where consistency is crucial. It also places additional pressure on colleagues who remain at work and who continue to show exceptional commitment to our learners. We are sincerely grateful to these staff for their professionalism and care.
Duke of Lancaster Academy (DoL) serves learners with some of the most complex communication, sensory and behavioural needs in the region. As is well known, the school had faced significant challenges for several years prior to joining Eastern Education Group, and required urgent, specialist support. Since becoming part of the Group in 2024, DoL has seen substantial investment and improvement, including strengthened safeguarding, increased staffing, a new leadership structure, and specialist training for all staff.
We are working closely with all key stakeholders, including parents, staff, and Norfolk County Council, who visited the school last week, and we continue to keep all relevant partners fully informed. Parents are already telling us they can see a real difference. One recently shared: “My son joined in September, and it’s the happiest I’ve ever seen him. He has new-found confidence for learning, genuine belief in himself, and lots of amazing experiences, from horse riding to cooking. This is all thanks to your wonderful staff who are knowledgeable, nurturing and understanding to the wide range of needs of every child in their class. Thank you for being the right environment for my child.”
We know the pace of improvement has been demanding for colleagues. That reflects our duty to act quickly for the most vulnerable learners. As we move forward, we remain committed to a positive and collaborative partnership with all staff; ensuring they feel heard and supported.
Given the complex profiles of our learners, it is essential that staff are fully trained in specialist approaches. A comprehensive programme of development is already underway, including enhanced training on following Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs), autism-specific learning, and the rollout of accredited Team Teach training across all SEND schools in the Group. Most of our staff have already carried out this programme, with the entire team on track to complete by early April.
Team Teach equips staff with an evidence-based toolkit for understanding triggers, recognising early signs of distress, and using communication, coregulation and diversion techniques to support learners who become dysregulated. This helps prevent incidents from escalating and ensures learners can return to a calm, safe state as quickly as possible. Physical intervention is used only as an absolute last resort, and only when necessary to prevent a learner from harming themselves or others. based toolkit for understanding triggers, recognising early signs of distress, and using communication, coregulation and diversion techniques to support pupils who become dysregulated. This helps prevent incidents from escalating and ensures students can return to a calm, safe
Safeguarding at DoL has also been significantly strengthened. Since joining the Group, DoL’s safeguarding systems have been fully overhauled and rebuilt, with specialist safeguarding leaders guiding and embedding consistent practice across the school.
As part of this strengthened safeguarding and behaviour structure:
- We have brought in a new Student Liaison Officer, a key role within our behaviour support framework, providing responsive, practical support to learners and staff throughout the school day.
- A new Group Head of Safeguarding and Behaviour and a new Safeguarding Practitioner have been appointed for the summer term, representing a significant further investment in specialist safeguarding and behaviour leadership.
In addition to this, several further improvements are already underway. Eastern Education Group Trust commissioned a SEND specialist who has been working with DoL since the previous academic year to oversee implementation, strengthen expertise and further enhance development among staff.
A number of initiatives have also been co‑created with staff who are working collaboratively with us to make Duke of Lancaster Academy the best it can be. We are deeply grateful to these colleagues for their ideas and commitment to positive change. Together, we are embedding:
- a standardised radio protocol with a clear RAG system, developed with staff input to strengthen communication and ensure consistent responses;
- half‑termly Health & Safety reviews with union involvement, enabling open dialogue and shared analysis of trends;
- a full review of the Behaviour Policy, with staff engagement central to shaping clearer expectations and consistent approaches across the school;
- clearer distinctions between dysregulation and deliberate aggression, with proportionate and appropriate responses; and
- strengthened induction, training and recruitment to support a skilled, confident and specialist workforce.
Our guiding principle is simple: we put our children and young people at the heart of our decisions. Through a team of expertly trained, professional staff, we are building the supportive and ambitious school our learners deserve; one that celebrates their talents, meets their needs, and gives them the best possible experience of education. We are truly appreciative of the staff, families and partners who are with us on this journey as it continues to unfold. Their commitment is driving the transformation already visible at Duke of Lancaster Academy, and we will continue moving forward for the benefit of every student.
