Longspee Academy

Longspee Post 16 Proposal


Proposal to expand to Post-16 places at Longspee

 

What is proposed?

 

Longspee Academy are working with BCP Council to help meet the growing need for specialist education places and are proposing to deliver Post-16 places from the 2026-27 academic year.

 

The proposal is to provide specialist places, through  Elevate Internships, for young people aged 16 to 19, who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

 

It would add 10 additional specialist Post-16 places to the academy’s capacity and increase the age range from 5-16 to 5-19. Currently Longspee Academy offer 70 places for 11-16 year olds and 45 places for primary aged children.

 

Post-16 places will be based close to Longspee’s secondary site, using a Modular building (currently not in use) at Holloway Avenue alongside an official base at Throop road. The site is independent with its own access point and fencing to separate the two neighbouring education establishments.

 

 

Elevate supported internships

 

Elevate provides a supported provision that empowers young people with EHCPs to confidently enter the world of work, preparing them for adult life and independence.

 

Young people at Elevate develop personal and social attributes, practical skill, knowledge and qualifications needed to live independently and enter the world of work. The aim of the supported internship is to gain employment or an apprenticeship through a structured work-base study programme.

 

Elevate will provide a person-centred approach linked to the career aspirations of the young person, supporting them to develop the basic workplace and life skills needed to enter, and successfully maintain employment.  The curriculum is tailored to the needs of each young person, completing courses and qualification relevant to the world of construction and maintenance. This includes health and safety in the construction environment, leading to completion of their CSCS card, allowing them to work on construction sites. Work placement’s will support young people to learn the practical skills related to a career path.  

 

Elevate and a carefully selected work placement will collaborate closely to support the young person in developing and transferring the life skills to maintain work placed employment, or prepare pupils for an apprenticeship.  Young people at Elevate develop their self-awareness, communication skills and social understanding to seek career opportunities, maintain placements and confidently advocate for themselves whilst on placement and in life. The curriculum will upskill the young people in relation to core subjects that enable access to higher learning and progression. The students at Elevate may have previously found maintaining a classroom-based education challenging, requiring this more closely supported and alternative approach to these subjects.

 

Admissions

 

The places at Elevate/Longspee Academy will be allocated by the Councils SEN team. This will follow the SEND Code of Practice for children and young people who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

 

 

 

Why is this change needed?

 

  • Increasing Demand

There is a sustained rise in the number of children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) who require specialist provision. Local figures show this number is growing by around 11% every year, so more specialist school places are needed.  A detailed analysis of demand trends and planned sufficiency responses is set out within the SEND Sufficiency Strategy.

 

  • Parental Preference

Expanding a Post-16 provision at Longspee Academy will give young people more options that suit their individual needs and to support independence and an eagerness to start work. Elevate’s experience and skill will support those young people requiring a more tailored and supportive environment than is offered in a larger provision, where they may have previously not been successful.

 

  • Supporting inclusive education

This proposal supports national SEND guidance (SEND Code of Practice and the Children and Families Act 2014) by promoting inclusion and helps ensure children and young people with SEND can access appropriate education within their local area.

 

  • Local Offer commitment

The Council has a legal duty to make sure there are enough suitable school places for children and young people with SEND (under section 14 of the Education Act 1996) and to maintain and publish a clear and comprehensive Local Offer (explaining what support is available locally under section 30 of the Children and Families Act). This proposal helps meet those responsibilities.  Longspee Academy are closely collaborating with BCP council to support demand in Post-16 education.

 

  • Costs

Elevate has been running as a standalone bespoke provision, so there will be no building costs attached to this increase of places and has been an ongoing project supported and funded directly by BCP Council. Moving to be located directly under Longspee Academy would change the funding stream. Students at Elevate must be able to independently travel; therefore, travel costs for BCP Council are greatly reduced.

 

 

             

How will it work?

 

  • The 10 places for young people aged 16-19 with an EHC Plan will be provided using space already available at our Throop Road and Holloway Avenue. If approved, the places will be introduced as part of the Longspee Academy from September 2026, with 10 Post-16 places in total.

 

  • Young people that are allocated a place at Elevate Supported internships will be on Longspee Academy’s roll.

 

  • Students at Elevate will follow a programme that helps them grow and prepare for entering the world of work, including:
  • CSCS card (CITB) test preparation – Valid 5 years 
  • Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment (BTEC)
  • Independent travel programme
  • Maths & English qualifications to Level 2
  • CV and Interview development
  • Independent Living skills (Travel, Health and fitness, Personal social development Money management)
  • First aid at work as part of CSCS CITB
  • Driving theory preparation
  • Job searching
  • Other qualifications as directed by Intern placement provider
  • Work placement diary
  • Work placements.

 

 

  • Building and facilities

The Elevate project opened in 2023 and already has the space and facilities to support the proposed increase in places and no capital developments are needed. For Elevate to continue, and potentially reach more young people, the provision must operate under a registered school. The provision will be based at Holloway Avenue.

 

  • Accommodation

Elevate is not located on the same site as the Secondary or Primary academies. The site is based at Holloway Avenue to Longspee Secondary in its own modular building. There is no development needed from BCP related to the building.

 

  • School ethos and values

Longspee’s Vision is to support young people to be independent, successful and confident adults. Elevate take this vision a step forwards by empowering them to confidently enter the world of work and prepare them for adult life.

Elevate at Longspee Academy provides a happy and safe environment where every young person can make progress towards work.

 

  • Post-16 Curriculum

Elevate Students learning journey directly relate to the goal of a placement within the world of construction and maintenance and reflects their individual strengths and needs. All of the learning is linked to real-life situations, helping students understand the importance to continually learn and develop, increasing their employability and work progression. The Elevate curriculum also ensures the students are well prepared for adulthood, further learning and independence.

 

  • Staffing

Elevate has a highly experienced teacher with SEN experience at both Secondary Special school and Further Education. They have a wealth of experience of supporting young people with SEN particularly SEMH alongside other complex needs. Elevate also benefits from a job/life coach supporting students directly both in the classroom, in the work place and supporting them in the community. Elevate also benefit from close links to skilled Volunteers (linked to organisations such as, the National trust sites and other young adult support groups) who directly work with Elevate students.

 

  • Funding

The additional places are proposed to be provided at an established site, so can be delivered without the need for any further capital investment.

 

             

 

 

Formal Process 

 

Under the DfE guidance (2026), the process for making changes includes the following stages: 

 

  • Stage 1: Representation (Formal Consultation): This will run for a minimum 3 weeks for stakeholders to submit comments or objections as necessary. Stakeholders include parents, staff, governing body, local community, and other schools.

 

  • Stage 2: Decision: The academy will consider all responses and then seek formal agreement from the DfE to make these changes.

 

  • Stage 3: Implementation: If approved, the Post-16 places will be available from September 2026.

 

Timeline

Stage

 

Requirement

Date

1

Representation period (3 weeks minimum)

All interested parties

may comment on the proposal

8th June – 6th July 2026

2

Decision

Academy to consider responses and seek agreement from DfE’s Regions Group

To be advised

3

Implementation

Provision expands

September 2026 onwards

 

 

 

How to Respond to the Proposal

 

Comments can be submitted by visiting;   Your views on the Longspee proposal – Fill out form

 

 

Or can be sent by email to: longspeesecondary@la.weareauthentic.education

 

Or by post to:

 

Longspee Secondary Academy

Ensbury Avenue

Bournemouth

BH10 4HG

 

 

 

             

Notes:  In law, this change is as a prescribed alteration under the School Organisation

(Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013 (as amended in 2025). As such, a period of consultation is required with parents/carers as part of a statutory process necessary to formally change the provision. 

 

Equality Impact and SEND Compliance

 

  • Equality Act 2010: This proposal promotes equality of opportunity and fosters inclusion.

SEND Code of Practice: Provision will follow statutory guidance, ensuring early identification,