Last December the council’s executive approved £4.8m of investment for Highfurlong school which caters for pupils with a range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and provides education for pupils from all over the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Coast area.

Built in 2015, Highfurlong School operates from a purpose-built on Blackpool Old Road. The school, which won the ‘School of the Year’ award, ‘Blackpool Primary School of the Year’ and the ‘Blackpool Inspirational Teacher’ of the year award at the National School Awards in 2021, was built for 79 pupils, although there are currently 112 on the roll meaning it is operating around 40 per cent above capacity.

The new classrooms will enable capacity to increase to 180 – more than doubling the capacity and reducing the need to use out-of-borough placements.

The new scheme will see a two storey building constructed linked to the existing classrooms by an elevated covered walkway. The building will provide much-needed facilities to extend the programmes and activities that the school offers to its students and their families.

The upper floor will comprise of classrooms and spaces for secondary aged pupils, with the existing building to be used by primary age pupils.

The building will include six classrooms, and a specialist teaching room for the delivery of practical subjects such as science, food technology and life skills.

The ground floor of the new building will comprise facilities for post-16 students, alongside a new kitchen. There will also be a community-facing café designed for post 19 students to gain employment skills.

The project has been designed by architects Cassidy+Ashton and the main contractor is Conlon Construction.

Cllr Kath Benson, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Young People and Aspiration, said: 

Head teacher, Neill Oldham, commented: 

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