Alternative Provision

The purpose of Alternative Provision is to give pupils continued access to education when they are unable to attend mainstream schools due to exclusion, illness or other reasons and would not otherwise receive a suitable education.

It is intended to be a short-term intervention tool providing effective assessment and support at the right time. This is to ensure children and young people can continue to access education that is appropriate to their needs, with minimal disruption to the pupil's experience.

The main aim of Alternative Provision is to reintegrate pupils into a mainstream school for the longer term.

However, based on the needs of the pupil, there may be times when Alternative Provision becomes a permanent destination as it is in the pupil’s best interest. Where longer-term placements are appropriate, planning for the next stage of the pupil’s journey is essential.