Tag: Education

Opening of St John’s C of E Primary School

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St John’s CE Primary School may appear modern with its striking, award-winning building, but its legacy stretches back over two centuries. Established in 1817, when Blackpool was a small village of around 750 people, the school was born out of a community effort led by John Gisborne. Recognising the lack of educational provision for local children, he gathered subscriptions from residents, friends, and visitors to fund the town’s first free school. The original school building was constructed on Church Street—then known as Poulton Road—and the school has remained on that site ever since, apart from short breaks during rebuilding phases…. Read more »

The Opening of Palatine Leisure Centre & South Family Hub

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The Palatine Leisure Centre in Blackpool opened on 11 August 2005 after six years of planning and development. Located on St Anne’s Road in the South Shore area, it is operated by Blackpool Council and shares its site with the Palatine Library and South Shore Academy. The centre offers a wide range of facilities including a 25-meter, 8-lane competition swimming pool with a moveable floor, allowing for swimming competitions, water polo, and sub-aqua diving. There is also a family learner pool designed for swimming lessons and recreational use. The centre includes a well-equipped gym with cardiovascular and resistance machines, functional… Read more »

Palatine Library and Learning Centre First Opens

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The Palatine Public Library officially opened to the public on 8 September 1923, marking a significant moment in Blackpool’s cultural and educational history. Its origins, however, trace back to 1920, when Boy Scout Troop One began collecting books with the aim of creating a community resource. Their efforts laid the foundation for what would become a cornerstone of public learning and literacy in the area. The library’s formal opening in 1923 signalled the beginning of a new chapter in accessible education and community enrichment, offering local residents the opportunity to borrow books and engage with a growing range of services…. Read more »

South Shore School Becomes an Academy

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South Shore School, which was formerly known as Palatine Community Sports College, became an academy in December 2013, when it was converted by Bright Futures Education Trust (BFET). Prior to becoming an academy, the school had been a Sports College since 2004 and had also gained Trust status in 2010, enabling partnerships with several organisations. South Shore Academy wants the best for everyone and the best from everyone. Their vision is for all students to be confident, independent, resilient learners who leave SSA with limitless possibilities to fulfil all their future ambitions, becoming well rounded, positive global citizens, who make… Read more »

New Facility for Aspire Academy and Highfurlong School

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BLACKPOOL ASPIRE ACADEMY Blackpool Aspire Academy is committed to providing its students with a high-quality education and remains a dynamic, engaging, and inspiring environment each day. The academy benefits from exceptional resources within its state-of-the-art facilities, creating an ideal setting for learning and personal growth. Educating young people is seen as both a privilege and a serious responsibility, and the academy holds consistently high expectations for its students. Central to the academy’s ethos are positive relationships and mutual respect, which underpin every aspect of school life. The staff at Aspire are dedicated and ambitious for every pupil, playing a crucial… Read more »

Revoe School and its Football Heritage Become Revoe Learning Academy

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Revoe Learning Academy, previously known as Revoe Primary School, has a rich history that reflects both the development of Blackpool as a town and the evolution of education within the community. The school’s roots can be traced back to the late 19th century when the Revoe area began transitioning from rural farmland to a more…

Revoe Library First Opens its Doors

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Revoe Library, has a rich history that reflects the area’s development and community spirit. The library was constructed on the former site of Revoe Farm, with its establishment marking a significant milestone in the community’s cultural evolution. In July 2004, Revoe Library celebrated its centenary, commemorating 100 years of service to the local population. The centenary festivities included history workshops where attendees dressed in Victorian attire, created commemorative bookmarks, and engaged with antique toys, highlighting the library’s enduring role in community enrichment. The library is less than a minute’s walk from Revoe School. Beyond its primary function as a repository… Read more »

Warbreck Hill’s Unity College Becomes Unity Academy

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Unity Academy in Blackpool has a long history, undergoing several transformations over the years. Originally, it was known as Warbreck High School, a secondary school serving the Blackpool area. In 2000, the school transitioned from a single-sex institution to a co-educational school and was renamed Beacon Hill School. This marked a significant change, allowing both boys and girls to study together, adapting to the evolving educational landscape of the time. A decade later, in March 2010, the school underwent another major rebranding, becoming Unity College. This was part of broader educational reforms aimed at improving the standard of education and… Read more »

Devonshire Road School Reopens After Demolition

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Devonshire Primary School and Devonshire Road Junior School was renamed in 2013 to Devonshire Primary Academy. Devonshire Primary Academy is a coeducational primary school with academy status, located in the Layton area of Blackpool. This school is on Devonshire Road halfway between the residential area of Layton, and Blackpool town centre. Devonshire Road Junior School The original school on the site, Devonshire Road Junior School was built in the 19th century. On 23 August 2003 the school suffered an arson attack causing £7m worth of damage. Over fifty firefighters fought the blaze which caused extensive damage to the school building…. Read more »

Baines Endowed Primary School in Marton is Established

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Baines Endowed Primary School in Marton was founded through the will of James Baines in 1717. It was one of three schools set up in Baines’ will, the others being at Poulton-Le-Fylde and Thornton, teaching around 100 pupils without charging fees. Baines will also provided payments to the poor of the area and apprenticeships. Baines can claim that three of its students appear on Blackpool Timeline – Joe-Warren Plant, Susan Varley and Gerry Wolstenholme. As a Church of England primary school, the school has very close links with their local church, St. Paul’s, Marton. Pupils will have the opportunity throughout… Read more »