Blackpool is home to a range of popular tourist attractions, including the Blackpool Tower, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and Blackpool Zoo, among others. However, with the ongoing cost of living crisis and limited secondary spending for extracurricular activities outside of school, it raises the question: are young people living in these areas truly benefiting from the attractions right on their doorstep?

On Monday 1st April, nine mainstream primary schools visited Blackpool Zoo for a morning of animal-themed orienteering. The event not only combined fun with physical activity but also strengthened cross-curricular connections. Ninety students explored the zoo in search of different animals, answering questions about their size, species, and behaviour. The focus of the event was on inclusion, allowing schools to navigate the zoo at their own pace while enjoying the outdoors and sunshine. For many, it was their first experience of the zoo.

One teaching assistant shared, “This experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our pupils here today. On the bus, we asked the pupils who had been to the Zoo before and none of the pupils put their hands up even though we are a five-minute drive from here. Unfortunately for many of our pupils’ families this experience isn’t an affordable option, so today’s event is a life experience as well as a nice day out. They’re physically active, but there isn’t the pressure of competition. It’s accessible to get around. The pupils here today have benefited so much from this event socially, physically and psychologically.”

When speaking with the students, they enthusiastically said, “This is the best day ever! I loved seeing all the animals,” with one student even asking, “Are we still in Blackpool?”

This event highlights the value of utilising local facilities, forging partnerships with community organisations, and creating physical activity opportunities that are inspiring, accessible and meaningful for all young people.

Highfurlong School, located in Blackpool and one of the schools involved in this outing, serves as the lead inclusion school for Lancashire for the Youth Sport Trust, offering opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities in physical education, school sport and physical activity.

Dave Rohman, School Games Organiser based at Highfurlong School, said, “We’re incredibly fortunate to have such amazing opportunities on our doorsteps in Blackpool but even more fortunate that we have such strong relationships with staff to be able to create days like today. We see first-hand the impact that a trip to Blackpool Zoo has on the children and young people who attend, as without events like this, they wouldn’t ordinarily have the opportunity to visit the zoo. This then adds a completely new dimension to the event as it becomes so much more than an orienteering festival and transforms into an inclusive magical day of physical activity, fresh air, science and nature, friendship and fun for children from Blackpool, in Blackpool.”

To find out more about Inclusion 2024 and who your local Lead Inclusion School is for local opportunities for young people with SEND contact [email protected]