Here at Storyy Group, we pride ourselves on offering customised Alternative Provision programmes that mentor young people’s physical, emotional and educational needs. Our personalised approach challenges students’ minds, motivating them and instilling confidence in the process. This helps young people strive for success in life and ready them for their next educational stage.
It’s all well and good us explaining our approach and how we work with young people to elevate their success in educational settings, but what actually is Alternative Provision? Let us take it back to basics and walk you through the premise of Alternative Provision and how we collaborate with local authorities, schools, teachers, parents, and social care institutions to engage young people in learning and set them on the path to a bright future.
How is Alternative Provision defined?
According to the Department of Education, Alternative Provision is “education arranged by local authorities for pupils who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education; education arranged by schools for pupils on a fixed period exclusion; and pupils being directed by schools to off-site provision to improve their behaviour.”
Alternative Provision has been around for a little while now, so it isn’t a new concept by any means. A ‘one size fits all’ for young people’s education doesn’t necessarily always work, as everyone learns in different ways. With this in mind, Alternative Provision helps students to reengage with education and learn in ways that better suit their needs. Sometimes a little time out of a mainstream classroom can help refocus young people, understand how they want to learn in education and create a bespoke learning pathway for them to engage with.
Why is an Alternative Provision different to a School?
Whereas schools are more traditional educational settings, Alternative Provisions help to reframe the way education is delivered to young people. Alternative Provision is not a permanent solution, however, it does help form a resolution to re-engaging young people back into education:
- Various different subjects are still offered at Alternative Provisions, but tailored pathways are also delivered to pupils to help encourage engagement, confidence and commitment.
- Students can attend Alternative Provision on a part-time or full-time basis; Storyy Group offers morning, afternoon or full-day sessions.
- Alternative Provision offers smaller student numbers, with young people having access to regular pastoral support.
- The key to a successful Alternative Provision is allowing students to grow in confidence, build good routines, and regulate behaviour with the end goal of reintegrating back into mainstream schooling.
At the moment, we have three Alternative Provision sites; two Secondary-aged provisions and one Primary-aged provision.
Primary Alternative Provision:
- Storyybrook is our Primary-aged site and serves children aged 4 to 11 years old.
- This is a safe, supportive environment, designed to re-engage student through interactive learning and facilitate their transition back to school.
- There is an abundance of secure outdoor space, several classrooms, a playground, a sensory room, a bespoke education room and cooking facilities.
- Our Behaviour Mentors provide lessons on emotions, personal development and setting goals with a range of discussions and activities.
Secondary Alternative Provision:
- Finchampstead and Birch Hill are our Secondary-aged sites that support students between the ages of 11 and 16 years old.
- These Alternative Provisions provide comprehensive support during adolescence through engaging activities, vocational training and bespoke academic support.
- These are large, private settings with classrooms, trade areas, fitness equipment, chill out areas and computers.
- Students have the opportunity to develop skills in plastering, roofing, carpentry, mechanics, art & design, hair & beauty, podcasting, photography & videography, performing arts, gaming and coding.
- We also work with SEMH, SEN & hard to reach young people using sport, PSHE, arts & crafts.
Are there teachers at Alternative Provisions?
Staff within Alternative Provisions are not teachers in the traditional sense but instead, people that have industry experience in youth work and social care. At Storyy Group, our staff who work within our Alternative Provision sites are known as Behaviour Mentors. They are skilled, compassionate individuals who see the potential that young people have to grow and thrive.
Our specialist Behaviour Mentors work 1:1 with students, or in groups to identify issues, provide support and help students to flourish. Our Mentors can gather insights that pupils often won’t disclose to traditional educational professionals, allowing them to create detailed educational plans that suit each student’s character.
What do Alternative Provisions offer students?
Everything we do is geared towards a successful outcome for the young people in our care. Whilst each plan is tailored to the individual, here are some of the typical outcomes our alternative provision achieves.
- Partnerships: We work with local authorities, schools, teachers, parents, and social-care institutes to create the right pathways for young people.
- Engagement: We connect with children through their interests using tailored programmes to help them engage and learn.
- Assemblies: We provide in-school assemblies to educate on knife crime, anti-bullying, LGBTQIA+ sexual health and other topics.
- Group Projects: We create customised projects like dance workshops, group boxing, 1:1 boxing, and teacher workshops.
- Mentoring: We provide mentoring at our venues or through outreach sessions, available for individual students in the morning, afternoon, or full-day slots.
- Assessment: We evaluate each student’s needs and assign them to mentor packages: 12-Week Reintegration, Awaiting Placement, Training & Qualification Pathway, SEMH Placement, Outreach & Respite.
- End goal: We want to equip students with new skills to help them transition back to mainstream schooling.
What is Early Intervention Support?
When young people understand their potential and receive consistent support, they will begin to thrive and begin to shape a different future for themselves. Taking pride in their achievements and inspiring others with their stories can greatly reduce antisocial behaviour and boost entrepreneurial spirit, benefiting the entire community.
From September, we will be offering Early Intervention Support, a free service that reflects our commitment to local educators and schools, helping give pupils the support they need before crisis point is reached.
Many young people lack funding for Alternative Provision but require diverse learning pathways. Storyy Group supports local schools with early intervention, creating personalised education plans. We address:
- Verbal and physical aggression
- Poor attendance
- Gang affiliation
- Hidden traumas
- Problems at home
- SEN needs
We are offering schools complimentary early intervention support through:
- Four 30-minute tailored sessions in the school setting
- Custom insights and support strategies
- Seamless integration with educational efforts
For more information or to book a free session within your school, please get in touch with our Account Manager, Lee: [email protected]
Alternative Provision is both challenging and rewarding. With significantly smaller class sizes, the flexibility to deliver the curriculum creatively, and continuous support from Behaviour Mentors, young people are encouraged to actively engage in and drive their own learning journey.
If you have any questions or queries about our range of services, please feel free to get in contact with us! If you’d like to make a referral for our Alternative Provision, please click here.
