Educational Diversity, Blackpool

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are an all-through Pupil Referral Unit and Alternative Provision Academy, supporting children and young people from Year 1 through to Year 11 across our two sites in Blackpool. Our vision is simple but ambitious: empowering every child to thrive and flourish . Young people come to Educational Diversity for many different reasons and at different points in their education."

Across Blackpool, 85% of families were offered their first-choice secondary school for 2026 entry, and 95% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Blackpool lodged 140 appeals against secondary school offers; 107 reached a hearing and 32 succeeded (29.9% of those heard).

The nearest other state secondary schools to Educational Diversity are St George's School A Church of England Academy (0.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 55.4); South Shore Academy (0.9 miles, Attainment 8 34.4); Highfield Leadership Academy (1.3 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 35.2); and Armfield Academy (1.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 34.2).

Educational Diversity is one of 7 schools run by Synergy Education Trust Limited, an academy trust.

Of the 28 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 32% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 18% to a further education college and 4% into work.

81.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 2.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 132 pupils (96.4%) received SEN support and 5 (3.6%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Blackpool South Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.

19 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Saddle (outside), 20 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 627 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Blackpool (336), as is usual near a town centre.

The primary schools closest to Educational Diversity are St John Vianney's Catholic Primary School, Blackpool (0.1 miles); Waterloo Primary Academy (0.5 miles); Baines' Endowed Church of England Primary Academy (0.5 miles); and Revoe Learning Academy (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.