South Shore Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Blackpool for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 142 of its 550 pupils (25.8%) were getting SEN support and 6 (1.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 550 pupils
- Ofsted: Inadequate
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Blackpool.
25.8% get SEN support
142 of 550 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
1.1% have an EHC plan
6 of 550 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty61
- Speech, language and communication34
- Social, emotional and mental health27
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia7
- Physical disability7
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
- Academy (sponsored)
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 550 (places for 985)
- Headteacher
- Mr Neil Kay
- Part of
- Cidari Education Limited
- Free school meals
- 67.6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Blackpool
- School reference (URN)
- 151443
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. Rated Inadequate, June 2023
Ofsted has placed this school in special measures.
Rated Inadequate at its last graded inspection, in June 2023.
- Quality of educationInadequate
- Behaviour and attitudesInadequate
- Personal developmentRequires improvement
- Leadership and managementInadequate
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
St Annes Road, Blackpool, FY4 2AR
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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 0.4 miles
- Revoe Learning Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
- Spen Brook School Independent · Ages 11–17 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
- Woodlands School Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 8.6%, EHC plans 2.4% 0.1 miles
- Waterloo Primary Academy Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 17.5%, EHC plans 3.8% 0.4 miles
- Armfield Academy All-through · Ages 3–16 · SEN support 10.2%, EHC plans 3.9% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in Blackpool SEND schools in Blackpool
Questions about South Shore Academy
How many pupils at South Shore Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 142 of the 550 pupils (25.8%) were getting SEN support and 6 (1.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at South Shore Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (61 pupils), speech, language and communication needs (34 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (27 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at South Shore 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 South Shore 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 South Shore Academy?
You can ask for South Shore 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 South Shore 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 0.4 miles away.
Where is South Shore Academy?
St Annes Road, Blackpool, FY4 2AR, 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.