Consultation on new specialist Post 19 provision on the site of Sir Tom Finney High School

We are asking for your views on plans to create a new specialist Post 19 provision on the site of Sir Tom Finney High School, Ribbleton Hall Drive, Preston, PR2 6EE.

This specialist college would provide local specialist education places for young people aged 19 to 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The proposal

To build new accommodation for a specialist Post 19 provision for young people aged 19 to 25 with an EHCP.

  • The accommodation would be built on the site of Sir Tom Finney High School, Preston.
  • It would support young people particularly from Preston and surrounding areas.
  • Pupils would follow bespoke individual curriculums to support Preparation for Adulthood pathways.
  • The specialist post 19 provision is expected to provide places for around 40 young people.

Why the provision is needed

More children and young people in Lancashire now need specialist SEND support.

  • There are currently over 15,600 children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in Lancashire.
  • There is a continuing increase in numbers of young people aged 19 to 25 with EHCPs who are not able to access mainstream further education colleges.
  • There are limited specialist education providers for young people aged 19 to 25.

Creating more local specialist provision for Post 19 learners would:

Why the Sir Tom Finney High School site has been chosen

Sir Tom Finney High School site in Preston has been identified as a good location for the Post 19 provision because it is in a central location and will be accessible for a large number of young people in Preston and the surrounding areas. The council already owns the site, and there is appropriate space for the new provision to be located without it impacting on the day to day running of the existing school. Sir Tom Finney High School plan to develop an Independent Special College to deliver the Post 19 provision which will ensure close links between both settings.

Funding

Funding for building accommodation for a new Post 19 provision in Preston has been set aside through Lancashire’s SEND Capital Programme, which was approved in February 2026.

Opening date

If approved, the Post 19 provision would aim to open in September 2027. This will also be subject to the establishment of a new Independent Specialist College by Sir Tom Finney High School. Admission to this setting will be for learners with an EHCP.

Have your say

We welcome your views on this proposal. The consultation information on this page should be read together with: Lancashire SEND sufficiency needs assessment and capital plan

  • The consultation is open for seven weeks
  • Starts: Monday 11 May 2026
  • Closes: 11.59pm on Friday 26 June 2026

Complete the online consultation

There will be a meeting for staff and Governors of Sir Tom Finney High School at the school on Wednesday 17 June.

A session for parent carers of current pupils at Sir Tom Finney High School will be held at the school on Friday 5 June.

There will also be an online information session hosted by the council for other interested stakeholders on:

  • Wednesday 3 June from midday to 1.30pm
  • Tuesday 16 June from midday to 1.30pm

For queries about the consultation, or to request information in alternative formats, please email inclusion.south@lancashire.gov.uk.

What happens next

After the consultation closes, we will carefully consider all the feedback to inform and develop our proposals. A final decision will be made by the council's Cabinet.

If the project is approved by Cabinet planning approval will be requested for any building works which will give further opportunities for you to share any views on the development of the site.

Subject to approval, building work and the establishment of an Independent Specialist College by Sir Tom Finney High School, the Post 19 provision could begin admitting pupils from September 2027.