Unity Academy Blackpool is an all-through mainstream school in Blackpool for children and young people aged 2 to 16. In January 2026, 178 of its 877 pupils (20.3%) were getting SEN support and 34 (3.9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–16
- 877 pupils
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Blackpool.
20.3% get SEN support
178 of 877 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
3.9% have an EHC plan
34 of 877 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 communication81
- Moderate learning difficulty44
- Social, emotional and mental health43
- Physical disability13
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia8
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 all-through school
- Run as
- Academy (sponsored)
- Ages
- 2 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 877 (places for 1,020)
- Headteacher
- Mr Chris Drew (Principal)
- Part of
- Fylde Coast Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 62.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Blackpool
- School reference (URN)
- 139675
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
Special measures. Graded by area, December 2024
Ofsted has placed this school in special measures.
Inspected in December 2024. Inspections from September 2024 to November 2025 graded each area but gave no overall grade.
- Quality of educationInadequate
- Behaviour and attitudesRequires improvement
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementInadequate
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Warbreck Hill Road, Blackpool, FY2 0TS
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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
- Moor Park Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
- Norman House Independent School Independent · Ages 11–16 0.9 miles
- Highfurlong School Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.0 mile
- Revoe Learning Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 2.0 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 15.9%, EHC plans 2.4% 0.3 miles
- Westminster Primary Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 24.2%, EHC plans 4.3% 0.6 miles
- Layton Primary School Primary · Ages 5–11 · SEN support 18.3%, EHC plans 3.4% 0.6 miles
All mainstream schools in Blackpool SEND schools in Blackpool
Questions about Unity Academy Blackpool
How many pupils at Unity Academy Blackpool have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 178 of the 877 pupils (20.3%) were getting SEN support and 34 (3.9%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Unity Academy Blackpool?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (81 pupils), moderate learning difficulties (44 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (43 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Unity Academy Blackpool?
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 Unity Academy Blackpool?
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 Unity Academy Blackpool?
You can ask for Unity Academy Blackpool 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 Unity Academy Blackpool 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 Moor Park Primary School, about 0.8 miles away.
Where is Unity Academy Blackpool?
Warbreck Hill Road, Blackpool, FY2 0TS, 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.