Creating a Continuum of Provision to Support High Needs Pupils: Evaluation Report

The Continuum of Provision (COP) project aimed to develop a collaborative approach between the Local Authority (LA), the Opportunity Area and Blackpool’s eight secondary academies to reduce high rates of pupil movement through permanent and fixed-term exclusions, and to improve in-year admissions. The project sought to build capacity in the local school system to develop and commission inclusive practices and to improve processes for In Year Fair Access (IYFA). The project was jointly funded by the Blackpool Opportunity Area (OA) Programme and the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant via the local authority. The objectives of the Continuum of Provision project were to: • ensure leaders of Blackpool’s secondary schools collaborate to enable reasonable, prompt, and equitable placement of young people without school places into suitable secondary schools. • improve secondary schools’ capacity and capability to successfully support young people’s continuing participation in mainstream and, where appropriate, alternative provision education