Vision and Aims
Building futures, inspiring ambition, and celebrating every success
Blackpool Skills Academy is a social enterprise in the heart of Blackpool, specialising in high-quality education for 11–16-year-olds. We work in close partnership with Blackpool Council, other Local Authorities, and local schools to create a safe, productive and forward-thinking learning environment — with a strong vocational focus and a clear line of sight to the world of work.
Our students often come from complex or disrupted backgrounds. Many have struggled to succeed in traditional mainstream settings and we are experienced in the SEND/EHCP and EAL agenda.
We provide a fresh start — with small classes (no more than 10 students), dedicated therapeutic support, and a structure designed to rebuild confidence, foster trust, and open up real opportunities for the future.
Our Vision
We want to create something different — a setting where young people can discover their strengths, experience career-related learning first-hand, and understand how core academic subjects like English, Maths and Science apply in the real world.
Our ambition is for every student to:
- Feel safe, supported, and known as an individual
- Thrive academically, personally, and vocationally
- Understand the partnership potential with mainstream school settings
- Access high-quality pathways into further education, apprenticeships, and employment
- Build lasting skills in communication, resilience, teamwork and self-belief
- Understand the importance of equality of diversity in the context of the Equality Act framework
- Understand the risks of technology, social media, relationships and information in the context of online safety and Prevent
- Experience the pride and possibility of contributing to their local community
Our ambition for local authority and school partnerships is:
- To deliver maximum value-for-money from the public purse
- To recognise the government objectives in the SEND and EHCP agenda
- To signpost and integrate links with partner stakeholder services for mutual success
- To remove artificial barriers, perceptions and communication blocks
Our Core Values
- Inspirational Learning – practical, purposeful and engaging education that connects to students’ lives and aspirations
- Heart of the Community – partnerships with schools, employers, and local services that extend learning beyond the classroom
- Celebrating Diversity – a culture where every individual is valued, respected, and encouraged to be themselves
- Challenge and Support – high expectations combined with high levels of care and bespoke intervention
What Makes Us Distinctive
We combine the best of vocational and academic learning. Our students specialise in Construction or Hair & Beauty — both areas have strong progression routes, an affinity with other priority sectors, and local economic relevance — while continuing to study core subjects in a highly personalised environment.
Our curriculum is enriched by:
- Expert-led sessions from qualified tradespeople and industry professionals
- Staff who have experienced similar issues to our learners
- Real work placements, projects and employer encounters
- Practical therapy and emotional regulation techniques embedded in the school day
- A structure influenced by EYFS and primary best practice — with learning delivered in short, purposeful bursts to maximise focus and manage emotion
- Ongoing careers education and post-16 planning, ensuring students leave with a plan — and the confidence to pursue it
Preparation for the World beyond School
We don’t just teach subjects. We teach students to navigate the systems they’ll encounter in, and after school — especially those who may not yet be ready to enter work straight away.
We focus on:
- Partnerships with mainstream schools and local authorities
- Building the confidence to access large post-16 providers
- Demystifying further education, apprenticeships and training routes
- Equipping students with language, self-advocacy, and social skills to thrive beyond our small, nurturing setting
Students progress to apprenticeships, college, or other post-16 destinations across Blackpool — supported every step of the way by our staff team and our partnerships with outstanding local providers.
Partnership with Employers
All our students have opportunities to meet employers and take part in community projects, practical workshops, and real-world challenges. This is more than careers education — it’s a culture of aspiration and readiness.
Our Chair of Governors, Andy Iredale, works nationally with leading employers to build pathways for young people. Through his links, our students gain access to experiences and resources from companies including:
- bp, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Keepmoat Homes
- BAE Systems, Bentley Motors, Wagamama, National Grid
- Pure Energy Music, ILM, nDreams (Games), Sizewell C Nuclear
- And many more across digital, construction, energy, and creative sectors
These opportunities help students visualise their future — and take their first steps toward it with purpose.
Our Teaching Ethos: BUILD
Our teaching is rooted in the BUILD values, which underpin every lesson, every conversation, and every expectation:
- B – Believe in every student’s potential
- U – Understand individual needs and strengths
- I – Inspire curiosity, effort and ambition
- L – Lead by example with positivity and professionalism
- D – Develop skills for life, work and wellbeing
Our Promise
Blackpool Skills Academy exists to do more than educate. We exist to open doors, raise expectations, and give students a real sense of possibility — no matter their starting point.
We offer:
- A fresh start for students who need it most
- A safe, structured, and caring environment
- High-quality academic and vocational pathways
- Rich employer engagement and community connection
- Careers guidance and post-16 preparation tailored to each individual
We are proud to be building something different. Something practical. Something ambitious. Something full of heart.