St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy is a mainstream primary school in Blackpool for children aged 2 to 11. In January 2026, 21 of its 245 pupils (8.6%) were getting SEN support and 6 (2.4%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–11
- 245 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Blackpool.
8.6% get SEN support
21 of 245 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
2.4% have an EHC plan
6 of 245 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication19
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 (sponsored)
- Ages
- 2 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 245 (places for 220)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Sarah Smith (Executive Headteacher)
- Part of
- The Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust
- Faith
- Roman Catholic
- Free school meals
- 43.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Blackpool
- School reference (URN)
- 141115
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
Rated Good, July 2017; school remains Good (March 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in July 2017. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, March 2023).
Contact and getting there
Lightwood Avenue, Blackpool, FY4 2AU
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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
- Thames Primary Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.5 miles
- Revoe Learning Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.6 miles
- Spen Brook School Independent · Ages 11–17 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
- Woodlands School Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.0 mile
Other mainstream schools
- South Shore Academy Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 25.8%, EHC plans 1.1% 0.1 miles
- Waterloo Primary Academy Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 17.5%, EHC plans 3.8% 0.4 miles
- Blackpool Gateway Academy Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 30.3%, EHC plans 4.5% 0.4 miles
All mainstream schools in Blackpool SEND schools in Blackpool
Questions about St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy
How many pupils at St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 21 of the 245 pupils (8.6%) were getting SEN support and 6 (2.4%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (19 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at St Cuthbert's Catholic 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 St Cuthbert's Catholic 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 St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy?
You can ask for St Cuthbert's Catholic 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 St Cuthbert's Catholic 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 Thames Primary Academy, about 0.5 miles away.
Where is St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy?
Lightwood Avenue, Blackpool, FY4 2AU, 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.