Why Blackpool urgently needs more SEND schools

Last week I finished UK Parliament Week with a visit to Highfurlong School. I spent the morning talking with pupils and taking their questions which were thoughtful, honest and full of ambition. This is what children can achieve when they are in a setting that understands them and gives them the right support.

Highfurlong shows what strong SEND provision looks like and every child who needs it should have access to that environment. Sadly, as demand grows and vastly outstrips provision, it’s not always the case.

In October I launched a survey on SEND support across Blackpool South. More than 150 parents, carers and educators took the time to respond. The full report will be published this winter but the message is already clear – Blackpool does not have enough specialist places to meet our level of need.

Educators have told me how stretched they are. They’re dealing with large classes and the challenge of giving pupils individual attention without the right resources. Blackpool urgently needs more specialist provision and it needs it quickly.

We do have a plan. Blackpool Council has put in the work and drawn up proposals for two new specialist schools. Together they would provide more than 120 places for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and long-term medical needs.

These schools would allow more children to learn here in Blackpool, closer to home. At the moment families are having to send their children out of town with some pupils travel more than an hour each way to a school that meets their needs. This affects their wellbeing, their learning and family life.

It is also expensive. Out of town placements can cost more than £150,000 per child before transport is added. This puts huge pressure on the high needs budget and pulls money away from local provision that could help far more families.

The plans for these two schools are ready and the need is clear but progress has stalled.

This week the Government has set out its approach to SEND reform in the 2025 Autumn Budget. It talks about expanding specialist provision and improving support in mainstream settings. These aims are welcome but our children need these schools now, not following rounds of consultation.

I’ve already raised this directly with the SEND Minister in the House of Commons and I’ll keep pressing for the funding so that these schools can be built.

Every child with SEND in Blackpool deserves what I saw at Highfurlong. An environment where they are understood, supported and able to grow with confidence. These two new schools will give families the stability they need and give children the right support close to home.

I will keep fighting for these schools until the funding is delivered because every child in Blackpool deserves the chance to learn, grow and thrive.