Alternative provision can provide multiple ways to support students, if they are struggling, and help them achieve their educational goals.
Students can benefit from using alternative provision as it provides a more suitable educational pathway to their specific needs that mainstream school may not provide to them.
There are five key areas where alternative provision can have a positive impact and help pupils:
1. Can help children who are excluded or at risk of being excluded
According to a recent government study in relation to the use of alternative provision:
“The most common responses for alternative provision was for excluded pupils (96% of LAs selected this option).”
Excluded children predominantly use alternative provision as it ensures those students who disrupt mainstream class will still have an education. Alternative provision allows children to assess their behaviour and see where they can improve. Also, it simultaneously allows them to remain engaged with their studies, meaning, the whole class benefits as a result.
2. Help children with challenging behaviour
According to a recent report:
“Approximately 1% of children and young people who get excluded achieve the five GCSEs that the majority of employers now ask for. Alongside this, exclusions are closely associated with mental health issues and the likelihood of being incarcerated.”
Education is crucial to ensure children remain focused and do not get into trouble. Gaining work after leaving school becomes harder each year, therefore, it is essential that students attain the minimum requirements of employers so it gives them the best chance for success.
Alternative provision can allow disruptive children to correct their behaviour and acquire qualifications that they may not achieve when in mainstream school.
3. Improve student’s confidence
According to recent findings:
“In the last three years, the likelihood of young people having a mental health problem has increased by 50%. Now, five children in a classroom of 30 are likely to have a mental health problem.”
Student’s mental health has become an increasingly important issue as many face depression, anxiety and other disorders that can affect their school life. Alternative provision can play a key role in improving student’s confidence and mental health as it allows a more relaxed approach to education and children can work at their own pace.
4. Assist students who refuse to attend school
From extensive research:
“The Centre for Social Justice found that over 10,000 pupils are dual-rolled in alternative provision, which means they are educated in an alternative provision school while remaining on the roll of their mainstream school.”
Thousands of students rely on alternative provision as it allows them to continue their education when they do not attend school. Students may be reluctant to attend education for a variety of reasons such as bullying, mental health, medical absence or SEND.
Alternative provision ensures that whatever circumstance a student find themselves in, they can continue with their education in a comfortable and familiar setting. This allows them to be fully focused resulting in their standard of work improving.
5. Support children in care
Recent statistics from the Childcare and Early Years Survey of Parents in England found:
“Formal childcare was used by just under two-thirds (64%) of children, in line with 62% in 2018.”
Alternative provision can allow children, who are in care, to be well supported when they are studying. Children within care may be in a distressing situation and unwilling to attend school. Alternative provision can help those students to continue their learning.
Behind closed doors, children can be vulnerable and exploited by multiple external factors. Therefore, alternative provision can also ensure children’s safety when in childcare.
EDClass prides itself on alternative provision
EDClass operates as an online learning platform suitable for students in alternative provision. With over 17,000 lessons available, the platform offers engaging content to students so they are not left behind with their education.
EDClass’ main priority is safeguarding and the system creates alerts if there is any irregularity with the student when they are working online. This is then dealt with as quickly as possible to ensure the child is in a safe learning environment. Support is also available from UK-qualified teachers to support student’s learning and wellbeing.
If you would like some more information on how EDClass can help your student’s education please call 01909 568 338, send an email to mail@edclass.com or request a demo here.
