SEND and EHCP Information

Every Child Supported to Succeed

At Blackpool Skills Academy, we are committed to ensuring that every student receives the support, challenge and opportunities they need to achieve their full potential.

Many of our students join us with identified Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and some have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). We recognise that every young person is unique and requires an individualised approach to learning, personal development and wellbeing.

Our aim is to provide a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment where students can develop confidence, resilience, independence and the skills needed for future success.

Understanding Our Learners

Blackpool Skills Academy supports students with a wide range of additional needs, including:

  • Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
  • Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Speech, Language and Communication Needs
  • Moderate Learning Difficulties
  • Sensory and Physical Needs
  • Attachment and trauma-related needs
  • Other identified Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Individual Learning Plans and Student Records

Every student has a dedicated electronic student record that contains key information transferred from their previous school, local authority and other professionals involved in their education and care.

Where applicable, this includes:

  • Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
  • SEND information
  • Previous assessments and reports
  • Behaviour support information
  • Safeguarding information
  • Professional recommendations and interventions

This information forms part of each student's Individual Learning Plan (ILP), ensuring that teaching staff have a clear understanding of the student's strengths, needs, targets and support strategies.

Student progress is monitored closely through our student records system. Staff regularly review academic achievement, attendance, behaviour, personal development and progress towards EHCP outcomes and individual targets. This allows the school to identify successes, address concerns quickly and ensure that support remains effective and responsive to each student's needs.

All teaching and support staff have access to relevant SEND and EHCP information to ensure that reasonable adjustments, support strategies and agreed interventions are consistently implemented across the curriculum and wider school environment.

Our Graduated Approach

We follow the Assess, Plan, Do, Review model outlined within the SEND Code of Practice.

Assess

We gather information from previous schools, parents and carers, local authorities, professionals and baseline assessments to build a detailed understanding of each student's needs.

Plan

Individual targets, support strategies and interventions are agreed and incorporated into the student's Individual Learning Plan.

Do

Teaching staff, support staff and external professionals work together to deliver the agreed provision and support.

Review

Student progress is monitored regularly and provision is reviewed to ensure that support remains appropriate and effective.

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)

Where a student has an EHCP, the school works closely with parents, carers, local authorities and external professionals to ensure that the provision specified within the plan is implemented effectively.

We ensure that:

  • EHCP outcomes are reflected within Individual Learning Plans
  • Support strategies are shared with relevant staff
  • Progress towards outcomes is regularly monitored
  • Reviews are conducted in accordance with statutory requirements
  • Parents, carers and professionals are actively involved in planning and reviewing provision
  • Transition planning supports successful progression into further education, training, apprenticeships or employment

Annual Reviews are conducted in partnership with students, families, local authorities and other professionals to evaluate progress and identify future priorities.

Specialist Support and Provision

Students at Blackpool Skills Academy benefit from:

  • Small class sizes with a maximum of 10 students
  • Highly personalised learning programmes
  • Individual Learning Plans
  • Therapeutic and pastoral support
  • Behaviour support plans where appropriate
  • Risk assessments where required
  • Careers education, information, advice and guidance
  • Preparation for adulthood and future employment
  • Partnership working with external agencies and professionals

Our curriculum is designed to provide both academic achievement and practical vocational opportunities, enabling students to build confidence and develop skills for adult life.

Working in Partnership with Parents and Carers

We recognise that parents and carers play a vital role in supporting student success.

We are committed to maintaining regular communication and involving families in decision-making, reviews and support planning. We encourage parents and carers to contact the school whenever they have concerns or wish to discuss their child's progress.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Blackpool Skills Academy is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

We make reasonable adjustments wherever necessary to ensure students can access learning, participate fully in school life and achieve positive outcomes.

Further information can be found in our:

  • Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Policy (SEND)
  • Equality Statement
  • Student Behaviour Policy
  • Safeguarding Policy and Procedure

SEND Lead

The member of staff responsible for leading SEND and EHCP provision at Blackpool Skills Academy is:

Annie Partington
SEND Lead
Email: annie.partington@blackpoolskillsacademy.co.uk
Telephone: 01253 759854

Raising Concerns About SEND Provision

If parents or carers have any concerns about SEND provision, EHCP support or the progress their child is making, they should contact Annie Partington in the first instance so that concerns can be discussed and resolved quickly.

Where a concern cannot be resolved informally, parents and carers may use the school's Complaints Policy and Procedure, available on our Policies and Procedures page.

Blackpool SEND Local Offer

Information about SEND services available across Blackpool can be found through the Blackpool SEND Local Offer.

Visit the Blackpool SEND Local Offer

Review of This Information

This SEND and EHCP information is reviewed annually, or sooner where there are changes to statutory guidance, local authority arrangements or school provision.

Contact Us

If you would like to discuss SEND provision or EHCP support at Blackpool Skills Academy, please contact the school office.

Blackpool Skills Academy
Unit A, Stanley House
Stanley Road
Blackpool
FY1 4QL

Telephone: 01253 759854
Email: enquiries@blackpoolskillsacademy.co.uk

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