Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Work has begun on a £4.8million expansion of a Blackpool school where pupil numbers have tripled in just five years.

Town hall planners approved the development in March for a two storey classroom block at Highfurlong Special School on Blackpool Old Road, which will be linked to existing classrooms by an elevated covered walkway.

Funding is coming from the council in order to increase capacity at the school which caters for pupils with a range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from across the Fylde coast.

Highfurlong grabbed the national spotlight when it was named School of the Year at the National School Awards in 2021.

Coun Kath Benson with pupils and staff at the site

Now six new classrooms will enable capacity to more than double to 180 pupils reducing the need to use out-of-borough placements.

There will also be a specialist teaching room for lessons such as science, food technology and life skills.

The ground floor of the new building will include facilities for post-16 students, alongside a new kitchen, as well as a community cafe designed for post 19 students to gain employment skills.

Head teacher Neill Oldham said: “Following Highfurlong School’s sustained success and national recognition, we are delighted this expansion of the school estate will enable us to offer outstanding education and specialist facilities to more children and families in the local area.

“The capacity of the building has been overstretched for some time so this work will give us the space we need to continue to grow and meet the demand for places that we have faced over recent years.

“We are also very excited the new space will allow us to bring in the local community too with a cafe and gift shop, which will provide work experience and employment opportunities for our pupils as they prepare to leave education as young adults.”

Coun Kath Benson, cabinet member for young people and aspiration, added: “The work to expand the school is a big step forward to meeting existing and future local needs and will help to ensure that Blackpool Council can meet the requirements of children with complex physical and medical disabilities.”

Work is expected to be completed in the summer of 2024.

Work starts on £4.8m expansion of top Blackpool school