Significant change: update on change of age range – Lancaster School

For the past 2 years Lancaster has been working closely with the other schools in our Multi Academy Trust (MAT) and the MAT CEO, Jackie Mullan, on a significant change to the school’s age range. The other schools are Kingsdown School, the St Christopher School and St Nicholas School. 

This collaborative work is in the best interests of all students in the Southend area who need special school places.  

It is common knowledge that there is a national and local shortage of special school places and we have recently completed further building works that takes our capacity from 130 to 160 students on roll. 

Following consultation with the DfE (Department for Education) it has now been agreed that Lancaster’s age range will be 11 – 19 and this significant change will come into effect from September 2026.  

In other words, Lancaster will be catering for Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 from September 2026.  

By doing this Lancaster is able to take younger students from Kingsdown and this means that Kingsdown’s capacity will enable them to accept younger pupils, and therefore help to give more places to very young pupils who desperately need them.  

 

 

All students who attend Lancaster School must have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), which states their special educational needs and what provision must be provided for these needs. 

The main local Authorities placing students in the school are Southend-on-Sea and Essex. These local authorities monitor the effectiveness of the school’s provision through feedback from parents and the information given to them in the review of EHCP’s on how well students are achieving against their annual and Key Stage outcomes and targets.

We recognise that choosing to send your child to a Special School can be difficult and we would suggest that you first make contact with the school, on 01702 342543, to arrange a visit and to discuss your son or daughters needs with the Head Teacher.

 

To be admitted and to join Lancaster, parents must go through the local authority and a link can be found below. 

If you have any problems or would like any further advice and guidance, please do not hesitate to contact the school directly - just ask to speak to the Head Teacher.