The Sea View Trust is absolutely delighted to announce that we have been successful in our bid to open a new SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) Free School in the latest wave announced by the Department for Education.

The new free school will be based in Blackpool and will cater for 56 learners aged 7-16. This is the second recent success for the Trust in free school bids, with a new AP medical free school also entering the pre-opening stage.

Blackpool Council’s original specification stated “This new school will see an improvement in standards and outcomes for children with SEMH in meeting the needs of children with the most significant and complex needs. It will fit well within the local strategy for high needs provision and Blackpool’s local education offer. It is also important for children to access local provision reducing the need for long distance travel. Where children require a therapeutic environment, it is best met within a school that is custom-built and well planned to ensure that needs can be met.”

Our CEO Angela Holdsworth MBE has said “We are absolutely delighted to be successful in our bid to open the new school. We believe this project will complement our existing special needs provision including the recently announced medical AP free school. As an inclusive Trust, the SEMH specialism will support our mainstream schools.”

We hope to work with stakeholders to identify a suitable name for the new provision which will capture the vision and values of the new school.

The Trust will work with the DfE and Blackpool Council in securing a site for both schools.