Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College is a mainstream secondary school in Chester, Cheshire West and Chester, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 162 of its 651 pupils (24.9%) were getting SEN support and 40 (6.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 651 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Cheshire West and Chester.
24.9% get SEN support
162 of 651 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
6.1% have an EHC plan
40 of 651 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health63
- Moderate learning difficulty54
- Speech, language and communication29
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia19
- Autism10
- Physical disability5
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Foundation school
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 651 (places for 750)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Rachel Hudson
- Part of
- Blacon High School Trust
- Free school meals
- 48.5% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Cheshire West and Chester
- School reference (URN)
- 111396
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Cheshire West and Chester council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Report card, May 2026: Needs attention in 4 of 6 areas
Inspected in May 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionNeeds attention
- Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
- AchievementNeeds attention
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceNeeds attention
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Melbourne Road, Blacon, Chester, CH1 5JH
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Dee Point Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.4 miles
- Abbey School for Exceptional Children Independent · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.9 miles
- Dorin Park School & Specialist SEN College Special school · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted: Good 2.2 miles
- Lache Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 2.2 miles
Other mainstream schools
- J H Godwin Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 46%, EHC plans 5% 0.1 miles
- The Arches Community Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 37.2%, EHC plans 10% 0.5 miles
- Highfield Community Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 22.9%, EHC plans 5% 0.6 miles
All mainstream schools in Cheshire West and Chester SEND schools in Cheshire West and Chester
Questions about Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College
How many pupils at Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 162 of the 651 pupils (24.9%) were getting SEN support and 40 (6.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (63 pupils), moderate learning difficulties (54 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (29 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College?
Through Cheshire West and Chester council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College?
You can ask for Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Dee Point Primary School, about 0.4 miles away.
Where is Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College?
Melbourne Road, Blacon, Chester, CH1 5JH, in Cheshire West and Chester.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.