LCE Academy is a new independent school created to meet the needs of children and young people with significant social, emotional and mental health needs across Oldham and the surrounding areas. Our pupils deserve more than a placement. They deserve a school built around belonging, safety and ambitious futures. LCE Academy has been designed from the ground up to provide exactly that.
Life Changing Education is founded in Rochdale, Greater Manchester by CEO Krystian Liptrot.
Life Changing Education won the Community Engagement Award at the 2024 Rochdale Business Awards.
Life Changing Education expands from Rochdale and Oldham to Tameside and Lancashire.
In April 2026, the doors open to LCE Academy, marking an exciting chapter for Life Changing Education, which continues its relentless pursuit to help young people.
We understand behaviour as communication, and we prioritise connection over control. Our staff are trained in trauma-informed practice, enabling them to respond with curiosity, consistency and compassion.
Pupils follow a carefully sequenced curriculum built around their starting points. We combine strong subject teaching with therapeutic principles, social development and purposeful pathways into adulthood.
Resilience, Integrity and Respect shape every interaction. These are not posters on walls. They guide our decisions, our teaching and the way we support pupils to rebuild confidence and ambition.
We work hand-in-hand with Life Changing Education, drawing on deep experience in SEMH and Alternative Provision. Our approach ensures early intervention, high levels of communication and bespoke support plans for every young person.
Our focus is on giving pupils the skills, qualifications and belief they need to succeed beyond school. Whether that is a return to mainstream, a specialist route or transition into further education and employment, progress is always planned and purposeful.
We welcome families from all backgrounds to join our vibrant school community. To understand our intake criteria, application timelines, and how we review applications, please review our formal guidelines.
A tailored curriculum designed specifically for the needs of SEMH students
The LCE model ensures early intervention and high levels of communication
Adaptable remote education for students who need to work from home
A vastly experienced team of devoted teachers who are dedicated to ensuring every pupil can thrive
Commitment to building real-world skills that will help our students progress into life beyond education
Our approach provides bespoke support plans for every young person.
Our focus is on giving pupils the skills, qualifications and belief they need to succeed beyond school. Whether that is a return to mainstream, a specialist route or transition into further education and employment, progress is always planned and purposeful.
Our provision is designed for children and young people who:
Have identified SEMH needs
Require a more personalised and therapeutic learning environment
May struggle to thrive in mainstream settings
Need consistent relational support to feel safe, regulated and ready to learn
LCE Academy is built around:
A multi-disciplinary team with extensive expertise
Highly structured routines that reduce anxiety and promote confidence
Therapeutic, calm and sensory-aware environments
Small class sizes and personalised learning
A relational approach centred on trust, safety and wellbeing
Every aspect—from staffing to spaces—has been designed with SEMH needs at the forefront.
Pupils follow a broad, ambitious and carefully adapted curriculum, including:
Core academic subjects
Personal development and life skills
Therapeutic and wellbeing programmes
Creative and vocational learning opportunities
Our curriculum aims to close academic gaps while helping pupils build confidence, independence and emotional resilience.
SEMH support is woven into every part of their school day. This includes:
Key-worker relationships
Therapeutic interventions
Daily check-ins and regulation routines
Trauma-informed practice
Restorative approaches
Bespoke support plans tailored to each pupil’s needs
Our goal is to help pupils feel safe, understood and empowered.
LCE Academy has been designed specifically for SEMH learners, with:
Calm, low-stimulation classrooms
Breakout therapy rooms
Sensory-aware spaces
Outdoor learning areas
Safe zones for regulation
Structured routines and movement breaks
The environment is a key part of helping pupils regulate, feel secure and engage successfully in learning.
LCE Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff, visitors and volunteers to share this commitment. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Lindsey Drews, who can be contacted by email: Lindsey@lifechangingeducation.uk.
In the event of concerns for a child out of hours, please contact 111 or 999
