Philanthropist proposes investment in Norfolk bases for autistic children

 Proposals to develop more specialist education places in Norfolk for autistic children have been given a boost, thanks to proposed investment from the Cullum Family Trust. 
 
Working alongside the National Autistic Society, the Cullum Family Trust has offered to provide £2.2m to help support Norfolk County Council's plans for more specialist resource bases, supporting children with additional needs at mainstreams schools. 
 
If approved, the proposals would see £1.1m invested at both Acle Academy and Alderman Peel High School, with Norfolk County Council meeting the remaining £2.5m capital costs for the projects. 
 
The Cullum Family Trust has been set up by Peter Cullum, CBE, a philanthropist and businessman who grew up in Norfolk.  The National Autistic society, on behalf of the Cullum Family Trust, is working in partnership with the County Council and the Wensum Trust to develop Norfolk's first Cullum Centres. The aim of the centres is to provide specialist support to autistic children to help them thrive within a mainstream school. 
 
Norfolk County Council's Cabinet is being asked to agree the proposed investment and partnership with the Cullum Family Trust, when it meets on 2 June. 
 
Cllr Penny Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Children's Services at Norfolk County Council, said: "We are hugely thankful for this proposed investment from the Cullum Family Trust. Their vision, in partnership with the National Autistic Society , is to support autistic children in Cullum Centres at mainstream schools, with highly skilled staff that can help children to flourish. 

"This closely aligns with our own investment in specialist resource bases, as part of our local first inclusion programme. We want children with additional needs to be able to learn in their local communities, wherever possible, alongside their friends." 
 
Acle and Alderman Peel, where the new Cullum Centres would be based, are both led by the Wensum Trust.  
CEO of the Wensum Trust, Daniel Thrower, said: "The Wensum Trust is delighted to be working in partnership with Norfolk County Council, the National Autistic Society, and the Cullum Family Trust to open the first Cullum Centres in Norfolk.  
 
"We are honoured that the Cullum Family Trust and National Autistic Society have recognised the work the Wensum Trust has already done to provide specialist education in our schools and want to take this forward with us.  
 
"This is an innovative approach, supported directly by organisations with specialist expertise, aimed at providing high-quality, inclusive education for autistic young people." 
 
Cullum Centres, have already been developed in other local authorities in England and the approach mirrors that of already well-established autism Specialist Resource Bases delivered by the County Council. 
 
Simon Cullum, Vice President of the National Autistic Society and Trustee of the Cullum Family Trust, said: "The Cullum Family Trust are delighted to be involved in establishing two new Cullum Centres at schools in Norfolk, along with the Wensum Trust and the National Autistic Society. We are very proud of our long-standing relationship with our close colleagues at the National Autistic Society and always applaud their tireless and marvellous work in support of autism in the UK." 
 
Caroline Stevens, Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Norfolk County Council, the Cullum Family Trust and the Wensum Trust to launch the first Cullum Centres in Norfolk. It's vital that autistic children get the right help and support at school. Our innovative Cullum Centres do brilliant work to support autistic children to thrive in mainstream settings, providing tailored support to meet their individual needs. We look forward to working together on this exciting new development." 
 
Planning applications for the two new bases are expected this spring, with a view to open the new provision in September 2026. 
 
Find full details of the Cabinet meeting, including papers, online. The meeting will take place at County Hall at 10am on Monday 2 June, and will be broadcast live on the Norfolk County Council Democratic Services YouTube channel.