A high school is set to offer new facilities for children and young people with hearing loss after receiving part of a £45.6m funding package.

From September this year, Bungay High School will offer specialist provision and support for eight learners, with plans to increase numbers in future years.

In a new ‘resource base’, learners will be taught by specialist teachers who are trained to teach children with hearing loss, while benefiting from being part of a wider school community and having access to the school’s “broad” aspiration curriculum.

The school announced they will be working closely with Suffolk County Council’s service for children with hearing loss, to support learners on an individual basis.

The funding for the new resource base was secured as part of a £45.6 million package that was pledged towards developing specialist education provision in Suffolk.

The places have been developed as a result of ongoing co-production with Suffolk Parent Carer Network, the Waveney Deaf Children’s Society, the National Deaf Children’s Society, parents and carers.

Bungay High School’s headteacher, Angelo Goduti, said: “This is a significant and exciting development to support young learners with hearing loss.

“The already excellent provision at Bungay High School can now continue to develop and grow, ensuring that students with hearing needs and their families can look forwards to a high quality educational experience.

“It is so very important that young individuals with hearing needs will be able to access this provision, underpinned by high expectations, a broad curriculum, high quality teaching, specialist support and most importantly, the equality of opportunity they deserve.”

The provision was called “much-needed” by councillor Mary Evans, cabinet member for children’ services, education and skills, who added: “We are looking forward to working in partnership with Bungay High School to support ongoing developments with this exciting new provision. I would like to thank Bungay High School for their ongoing commitment to children and young people in Suffolk.”

Ann Jillings from the Waveney Deaf Children’s Society said: “This new resource, in a school already demonstrating a positive attitude to including students with hearing loss, is excellent news for deaf children in Waveney, who now have the option of specialist provision alongside deaf friends in both primary and secondary school.”