Waterloo Primary Academy is a mainstream primary school in Blackpool for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 105 of its 600 pupils (17.5%) were getting SEN support and 23 (3.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 600 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Blackpool.
17.5% get SEN support
105 of 600 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.8% have an EHC plan
23 of 600 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication67
- Social, emotional and mental health31
- Moderate learning difficulty14
- Autism6
- 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 primary school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 3 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 600 (places for 656)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Jenny Brown (Principal)
- Part of
- Zest Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 57.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Blackpool
- School reference (URN)
- 138300
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 Blackpool 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, June 2026: Expected standard in 6 of 7 areas
Inspected in June 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Early yearsStrong standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Waterloo Road, Blackpool, FY4 3AG
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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
- Revoe Learning Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.6 miles
- Spen Brook School Independent · Ages 11–17 · Ofsted: Good 0.7 miles
- Woodlands School Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
- Thames Primary Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 8.6%, EHC plans 2.4% 0.4 miles
- St John Vianney's Catholic Primary School, Blackpool Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 12.6%, EHC plans 6.2% 0.4 miles
- Baines' Endowed Church of England Primary Academy Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 10.4%, EHC plans 3% 0.4 miles
All mainstream schools in Blackpool SEND schools in Blackpool
Questions about Waterloo Primary Academy
How many pupils at Waterloo Primary Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 105 of the 600 pupils (17.5%) were getting SEN support and 23 (3.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Waterloo Primary Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (67 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (31 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (14 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Waterloo Primary Academy?
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 Waterloo Primary Academy?
Through Blackpool 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 Waterloo Primary Academy?
You can ask for Waterloo Primary Academy 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 Waterloo Primary Academy 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 Revoe Learning Academy, about 0.6 miles away.
Where is Waterloo Primary Academy?
Waterloo Road, Blackpool, FY4 3AG, in Blackpool.
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.