Park Community Academy

Park Community Academy remains an outstanding institution that provides an excellent education for students with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school's approach to learning and development, particularly its emphasis on personal, social, and emotional growth, is commendable. Staff members are dedicated and skillful, effectively utilizing a range of communication strategies to aid students in overcoming their learning barriers. Positive relationships between staff, students, and parents contribute to a nurturing environment, allowing pupils to achieve remarkable outcomes from their individual starting points. Students at PCA have access to a rich and engaging curriculum that not only addresses academic needs but also fosters personal growth. The school emphasizes extracurricular opportunities, which enrich students' experiences while helping them develop critical life skills for adulthood. With a strong commitment to continuous improvement, the leadership team effectively supports both staff and students in striving for excellence. Overall, the inspection highlights PCA's dedication to ensuring that all students are well-prepared for their future endeavors.

Strengths

• Highly effective curriculum tailored to pupils' complex SEND needs.
• Strong relationships between staff, students, and families.
• Well-structured routines that improve pupil behavior over time.
• Broad range of extracurricular activities that enhance student engagement.
• Dedicated and skilled staff supporting pupils' personal and academic growth.

In 2024–25 pupils at Park Community Academy attended 93.0% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 21.1% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 2.1% of pupils at Park Community Academy were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Park Community Academy had 8.2 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 2.5% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Park Community Academy had 340 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; speech, language and communication needs; autistic spectrum disorder.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 Park Community Academy received £17,873 and spent £19,537 for each of its 328 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,228,000 (£3,743 per pupil).

Across all 5 schools of The Sea View Trust, income was £12,513 and spending £13,236 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Blackpool · Blackpool local authority: places and applications

Park Community Academy is part of The Sea View Trust, which runs 6 schools. The nearest others:

• Revoe Learning Academy Blackpool
• Devonshire Primary Academy Blackpool
• Anchorsholme Primary Academy Thornton-Cleveleys
• Applebee Wood School Preston
• Tor View School Rossendale

What is Park Community Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Park Community Academy is Outstanding, from an inspection in November 2023.

When was Park Community Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Park Community Academy was last inspected in November 2023.

How many pupils does Park Community Academy have?

Park Community Academy has 340 pupils on roll.

What age range does Park Community Academy cover?

Park Community Academy for pupils aged 2 to 19.

What are Park Community Academy's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Park Community Academy?

Park Community Academy is at 158 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY3 9HF.