“Hopefully this will make a difference.”

Mildenhall mum Jess Gates was speaking to me about her son Brogan at the official opening of a speech and language unit at Elveden Church of England Primary Academy, near Thetford.

Named the Barn Owl Nest, the new unit – the only one of its kind in West Suffolk – has been funded through £1.7 million from Suffolk County Council’s SEND Capital Programme, which invests in high-quality specialist provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The new unit will support Reception to Year 2 children with speech and language needs, including communication and interaction difficulties.

Brogan, five, is one of 18 children who will be at the unit when it opens, with all places filled, after the half-term break on February 23.

At the taster day yesterday, Jess explained Brogan, who has been at a mainstream primary school, was diagnosed with a severe language disorder and speech disorder towards the end of last year.While he had been getting some support, Jess said progress had been slow. Then the speech and language therapy service said they believed he met the criteria for a place at the unit.

Jess, who has four children, said she hoped the new unit would make a difference as he struggled with his speech and people understanding him and communicating with others, which was ‘very frustrating for him’.

She added: “It will be good for him. He really does need it. It’s one of those things as a parent, you worry. You think, ‘he’s five now and struggling, how many more years will he be struggling and falling behind?’”

Another mum who spoke with us, said she also felt ‘very lucky’ that her child has a place at the unit.

Her daughter, five, a pupil at Elveden Primary, has speech and language delay and communication difficulties.

The family have been paying for private speech and language therapy as the wait for NHS support has been ‘so long’.

In terms of why the unit is so important, the mum, of Elveden, said: “It’s giving her extra support and critical thinking and getting her strategies that she can implement, which will hopefully mean she can catch up and have those strategies in place for the rest of her life to communicate well and have a fulfilled life and career.”

She described the facilities at the unit as ‘amazing’, adding: “They have done so well within the time period and the weather conditions.”

Through specialised, targeted support and high-quality teaching, the Barn Owl Nest aims to help pupils make the progress they deserve, with the long-term goal of successfully reintegrating them back into mainstream education wherever possible.

Staff from the speech and language therapy service at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust will be based at the unit where they will provide a range of therapy one-to-one, in small groups and across the whole class.

The unit also has a PAWS therapy dog called Ava to help the children with self-regulation.

Zoe Maguire, head of Elveden C of E Primary Academy and director of SEND and inclusion, said the Barn Owl Nest had been created to ensure children with speech, language and communication needs receive the specialist support they require at the earliest opportunity.

She added: “We are really proud of what we have managed to achieve, and the whole thing that underpins it was our vision and ethos as a school of being an inclusive environment for the children.”

The children at the unit will be very much part of the main school, for example their lunchtimes and breaktimes will be there, but they will be getting targeted support and intensive therapy.

Andrea Golding, a speech and language therapy assistant, said: “It’s a holistic approach to their speech and language therapy needs.”

Children attending the Barn Owl Nest will benefit from a fully inclusive, communication-friendly learning environment, ensuring each child’s holistic development - academic, social, emotional and communication - is nurtured and supported.

Andrew Reid, cabinet member for education and SEND, said: “We are delighted to have provided a capital grant to Elveden Church of England Primary Academy to create 18 specialist places for pupils in Suffolk.

“It has been a pleasure to work alongside staff at the school to create a dedicated learning environment for Reception and Key Stage 1 pupils with communication and interaction difficulties. It will make a big difference to children and families in the area.”

Cllr Victor Lukaniuk, a Suffolk county councillor and deputy leader of West Suffolk Council, said: “It is a vitally-important facility and Suffolk County Council has been instrumental in delivering the project. The build quality is fantastic. Congratulations to all the team.”

A highlight of yesterday’s taster day was a visit by Norfolk Owls, which brought barn owls to the event. Children, and adults, got the chance to hold them under supervision.

The Elveden Estate also had representatives attend during the day.