What Are Alternative Provisions?
Written by Brendon Edge, 15/01/2025
Alternative Provisions: Supporting Your Child's Education
An Alternative Provision (AP) offers a supportive learning environment for children who find mainstream school challenging. It’s designed to meet the needs of students facing difficulties such as behavioural issues, emotional challenges, social difficulties, or medical conditions.
If you’re concerned about your child attending an Alternative Provision, it’s important to know these settings focus on individual needs, helping students succeed when a standard school environment isn’t the right fit.
How Alternative Provisions Benefit Your Child
- Personalised Learning: Lessons are adapted to match each student’s abilities and learning styles, helping them stay engaged and achieve better results.
- Behavioural Support: Small class sizes allow staff to provide focused support, helping students manage their behaviour and build positive habits.
- Flexible Learning: Timetables and teaching approaches are adjusted for students who find traditional school structures difficult.
- Practical Skills: Hands-on training in areas like trades or creative industries prepares students for future jobs and further education.
- Mental Health Care: On-site counselling and emotional support services help students cope with stress, anxiety, and other challenges.
- Reintegration Support: AP can prepare students to return to mainstream education or move into further education, apprenticeships, or employment.
Why Your Child Might Need an Alternative Provision
Alternative Provisions exist to keep children engaged in education when mainstream school isn't suitable. This might be due to:
- Permanent exclusion or risk of exclusion
- Long-term illness or medical conditions
- Emotional, social, or behavioural difficulties
- Struggling to cope in a large school setting
AP ensures your child continues learning, with professional support to help them overcome challenges and build confidence. It’s a positive step towards helping them reach their potential, not a sign of failure.
EmpowerEd: E2's Solution
At EmpowerEd, we transform young lives by helping students unlock their potential, especially those facing challenges such as behavioural difficulties, mental health issues, SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), or social and emotional struggles.
Courses We Offer at EmpowerED
Our courses build practical skills and confidence while offering recognised qualifications to help students progress.
-
Visual Arts – Level 1 Certificate in Visual Art (600/9303/1)
Develop creative skills while earning a recognised qualification, preparing students for further study or careers in the arts. -
Esports – Level 1 Certificate in Esports (Bespoke Accreditation)
Gain creative and technical skills linked to the growing gaming and technology industries. This qualification opens pathways for further study and career opportunities in digital media. -
Catering – Level 1 Certificate in Skills for Working in Catering and Hospitality Industries (603/1640/8)
Learn essential cooking, kitchen, and food safety skills. This qualification improves employability in restaurants, cafes, and catering businesses while laying the foundation for further training. -
Functional Skills – Level 1 Functional Skills Qualification in English and Maths (Open Awards)
Build essential literacy and numeracy skills, improving career prospects and readiness for further education or work placements.
We focus on helping students build confidence, learn new skills, and work towards a brighter future.