Blackpool is set to benefit from a new special free school after a successful application to the Department for Education (DfE).



The special school will cater for young people with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) as well as secondary needs such as speech and language and autism.
The school will provide education for up to 48 pupils aged between 10 and 16 years of age, with provision for full time day places.
Blackpool Council will commission the school places with the DfE providing capital and start-up grant funding for the new school via the Government's free schools programme.
It will also provide specialist expertise and advice to all schools in Blackpool and aims to reduce the need for young people to attend specialist provision in the long term.
Young people attending the new school will have an Education, Health and Care Plan, which will be subject to review on at least an annual basis.
Cllr Graham Cain, Cabinet Secretary for Blackpool Council, said: “We are thrilled that the DfE has supported our desire to meet the need for more special school places in Blackpool.
“This will be the first SEMH specialist school in Blackpool and we are pleased that we will be able to build on providing links to services in the local community.
“Investing in local specialist provision will benefit the young vulnerable people in the town and contribute towards meeting the needs of our own learning community.”
The school will have a phased approach to admissions, starting with a smaller number of pupils when the new school opens with the intention of being at full capacity within two years of opening.